Stepping Back into Classic RPG with Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake

In the HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest 3, you step out from your hometown on a mission to slay a demon king. You're joined by a team of warriors and mages, and to gain experience points, it's beneficial to patrol in circles. The game's charm lies in its roots as a traditional RPG, and although this latest installment incorporates novel visual enhancements while maintaining its retro pixel art essence, it might struggle to captivate new players due to its old-school feel. 

Time advances as you navigate through the game, with day changing to night and vice versa. At a certain point in your journey, characters can shift their classes while preserving some skills and stats, just like a fighter becoming a formidable sage. Your party's characteristics can also be adjusted by reading books or wearing accessories. Back in 1988, when Dragon Quest 3 was initially introduced on Nintendo Entertainment System, such concepts were groundbreaking and propelled the genre. 

However, without this backdrop, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake may give an impression of a rather standard RPG adventure. Your party members are like blank canvases that you mold through thrilling victories and defeats in battles rather than a narrative-driven plot. Not discounting some character development, the lightweight storyline essentially encompasses your journey in pursuit of the demon, following the footsteps of your father who failed in his mission. 

Getting a boat as a reward from a king is an exciting prospect in the game. Tasked with hunting down six orbs, the game doesn't confine you to a specific path, offering you the freedom to sail around, communicate with locals, and explore new lands. The HD-2D remake has also been equipped with objective markers to assist players who may find the free-roaming aspect too daunting or time-consuming. 

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake also features a "Dracky Quest" difficulty level, making fights simpler and ensuring your survival. Nevertheless, don't anticipate amenities similar to the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, such as multiplied experience points or fast-forward options. 

The game is designed to be battle-centric; they will occur frequently and will be crucial for leveling up and to prevent your party from being defeated. Though the game is visually stunning with HD-2D graphics, its intensity can sometimes be draining. Specifically, the towns and dungeons have been substantially enhanced to create a more realistic and immersive gaming experience. However, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D restrains modernization, which may slightly limit its appeal to today's RPG enthusiasts.