Summary
After what’s seemed like an age, the release date forDragon Quest III HD-2Dhas finally been revealed, and while that’s exciting in its own right, it also continues a recentDragon Questtrend that I’m equally excited about. And, no, I’m not talking about the remakes ofDragon Quest 1 and 2that were announced for 2025. That’s also extremely exciting, and I’d love to see that continue with the Zenithia Trilogy as well, but it’s not the trend I’m discussing here.
Admittedly, the road to getting a release date forDQ3remake has been a strange - and sometimes frustrating - one. After numerous rumors and some vague teases,Dragon Quest 3 HD-2Dwas finally revealed as part of theseries' 35th Anniversary livestreamback in 2021. In the three years since then, news surrounding the title has been pretty scarce, with leaks suggesting it’d finally berevealed during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct(which, thankfully, turned out to be true). Honestly, the game was probably just announced too early, but that meant fans like me have been clamoring for moreDQ3remake details for a long time.
“A Standout RPG” - Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Review
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince gives backstory to one of DQ’s coolest villains and shows the best of what monster-wrangling games can offer.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Kickstarts Remakes Of The Erdrick Trilogy
More DQ Games Are Always A Good Thing
There’s plenty to be excited about from the latestDQ3remake reveal. To name a couple - we’re getting1&2remakes next year, andit looks like we may be getting at least one new Vocation forDQ3 HD-2D. It’s also seemingly been confirmed that new story beats are being added. A successful release of the Erdrick Trilogy in this manner could also mean otherDragon Questgames get a similar treatment (personally, I’d love aDQ9remake).
Perhaps most exciting of all, though, is that we finally have a release date for it. It’s all there in nice flashy letters -Dragon Quest 3 HD-2Dwill be released on July 22, 2025. There were times when this game felt like a fever dream or just wishful thinking, so having a concrete release date is nice. It’s confirmation that, if nothing else, we didn’t just collectively hallucinate aDQ3remake.
Dragon Quest Games Are Becoming A Holiday Tradition
DQ3 Remake Is The Latest Game To Release Late In The Year
The release date forDragon Quest 3 HD-2Dalso continues the recent tradition of having a newDQgame to play around the holidays.Dragon Quest TreasuresandDragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Princeboth released in early December, and the mid-November release date for theDQ3remake stays pretty on-track for keeping this a trend.There’s something comforting aboutDragon Questgames, so playing them around the holidays sounds like a match made in RPG heaven.
And this is the trend I’m most excited for. For years now, I’ve been replaying the Erdrick Trilogy almost every holiday season. They’re fairly short and sweet, and they’re also a ton of fun. Just like going back home for the holidays, I go back home to Alefgard.
The past two years, I haven’t replayed them because I had newDragon Questgames to play.DQ TreasuresandDQM: The Dark Princewere both enjoyable and cemented my feelings thatDragon Questgames make for excellent holiday playthroughs. The thought that every holiday season could bring a newDQgame is an idea I can certainly get behind.
This year, we’ll haveDragon Quest 3 HD-2D. Honestly, it’s a trend that I hope we continue to see. Having a newDragon Questgame to play each year around the holidays makes one heck of a present.
