Yes, with one important caveat: DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is an excellent entry point if you want the series’ classic turn-based combat, open-ended exploration and chronological Erdrick story. Square Enix explicitly presents it as a starting point for newcomers, and it begins the connected trilogy that continues with the HD-2D remakes of Dragon Quest I and II.
It is not a guided, modern action RPG. You choose your party near the beginning, travel between towns and dangerous areas, and decide how to pursue the adventure. Adjustable battle speed, auto-battle and a modernized interface reduce routine friction, but the underlying design remains a traditional role-playing game. Players who enjoy exploration and making their own route should feel at home; anyone wanting constant hand-holding may prefer a more linear introduction.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake (NSW) | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Dragon Quest Builders (Nintendo Switch) UK IMPORT | $59.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus - Nintendo Switch | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Dragon Quest III 3 HD-2D Remake | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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The short answer: yes, especially for the Erdrick Trilogy
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake occupies an unusually useful position in the series. It is both a remake of a foundational role-playing game and the narrative beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy. Square Enix’s official game description identifies it as the trilogy’s starting chapter, while its later announcement for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake describes those games as the continuation and conclusion.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →That makes III the logical chronological choice for someone who wants to follow the connected Erdrick story in order. You do not need to have played an earlier Dragon Quest game to understand its premise: you play as Ortega’s child, who leaves home on their sixteenth birthday to continue Ortega’s failed mission to defeat the Archfiend Baramos. The quest is presented as a complete adventure, rather than as a chapter that assumes knowledge of another numbered game.
#1 Best Overall
- DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy – the first three games of the mainline DRAGON QUEST series. Featuring vibrant HD-2D graphics, new and modernized features, and a refined narrative, players are invited to set out on an epic fantasy adventure to save the world from a dark evil.
- A fully modernized remake of the original: Stunning HD-2D visuals fuse pixel art with 3D graphics, bringing players into the world of DRAGON QUEST III like never before, along with an improved and modernized UI, and other quality of life improvements.
- Traditional DRAGON QUEST style battles: A refined take on the classic turn-based battle system, featuring new animations, additional improvements such as an adjustable battle speed, an auto-battle setting, and more.
- Immersive world: Deep exploration of a vast world map with an abundance of rich and captivating locations to discover, challenging players to overcome many unexpected encounters during the journey.
- Experience a timeless musical score: An immersive, authentic, and diverse musical composition that captures the timeless essence and magic of the DRAGON QUEST universe.
The stronger qualification concerns style, not continuity. This remake preserves a classic structure built around turn-based battles, a party selected near the start, towns, dungeons, caves and a large world map. It offers more convenience than the original, but it does not turn the experience into a fully guided, contemporary adventure game.
Why its story order makes sense for a newcomer
It begins the connected trilogy
The Erdrick Trilogy is the clearest reason to begin with III. Starting here follows the story’s internal chronology, then lets you move to the remakes of I and II when you want the continuation and conclusion. That order is different from simply playing games by their original release dates, and it gives a new player a coherent route through the connected material.
Choosing III first is therefore a story preference rather than a claim that every Dragon Quest game must be played in this order. The numbered entries are not one uninterrupted narrative, so someone interested in another setting or tone can select a different game. For the specific Erdrick arc, however, III is the natural first chapter.
The premise is easy to understand
The opening motivation is direct: Ortega’s child turns sixteen, sets out to finish Ortega’s mission and must confront Baramos. That personal connection gives the journey a clear purpose before the world opens up. You are not asked to reconstruct a complicated backstory from earlier games, and the central goal is understandable even if this is your first contact with the franchise.
Its independence is part of the appeal
The adventure’s self-directed structure means you can learn the world by visiting towns, speaking with people, entering dungeons and deciding where to investigate next. For some newcomers, that freedom is precisely what makes III inviting. For others, the absence of constant waypoint-style direction may feel old-fashioned. The game is a good starting point if you are willing to treat exploration as part of the challenge.
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What the game expects you to enjoy
Traditional turn-based combat
Combat is turn-based. You choose actions for your party, resolve the encounter and continue exploring. Battles are part of the regular rhythm rather than occasional set pieces, so your tolerance for classic RPG pacing matters more than familiarity with the series’ lore.
The remake’s quality-of-life features make repeated encounters less laborious, but they do not remove the need to think about fights, manage your party and decide when to keep exploring or return to safety. The available evidence does not establish that III is easier for beginners than every other Dragon Quest game; it establishes that this version adds controls that make the traditional format more convenient.
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A party chosen near the beginning
The game asks you to establish your party early. That is an important difference from a role-playing game that introduces companions one at a time and builds a team automatically. New players should expect to make an early decision about who will travel with the hero and then learn how that group functions through play.
This structure can be rewarding because the party feels like your creation. It can also make the opening hours feel less guided. If you prefer to discover each party member through a linear story, the setup may take adjustment; if you like ownership over team-building decisions, it is a strong reason to start here.
Exploration across a large world
Square Enix describes a journey through towns, dungeons, caves and a large world map. The world is not merely a backdrop between battles: finding the next destination, checking unfamiliar locations and deciding how far to push forward are central activities.
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That design rewards curiosity and patience. It also means that the game may not always tell you the single best next step in the way a tightly scripted modern adventure would. Keep notes if you enjoy doing so, talk to people in each town and regard detours as part of the intended experience rather than wasted time.
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The remake updates presentation and routine play without discarding the original role-playing structure. These additions are the main reasons it is more approachable than playing an untouched vintage release, although they should not be mistaken for a complete redesign.
| Feature | Practical benefit | What it does not change |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable battle speed | Lets you move through routine fights at a pace that suits you. | Combat remains turn-based and still requires decisions. |
| Auto-battle setting | Reduces input during encounters where you do not need to select every action manually. | It does not replace party management or exploration. |
| Modernized user interface | Makes commands and information easier to navigate than a period-accurate interface would. | The underlying systems and classic structure remain. |
| Voiced scenes | Adds spoken performances to selected story moments. | Voice work does not make the story linear or eliminate reading and exploration. |
| Orchestral music | Provides a fuller musical presentation for the adventure. | It is a presentation upgrade, not a change to progression. |
| Monster Wrangler and Monster Arena | Adds extra ways to engage with the game’s monster content. | These additions are optional content, not a substitute for the main quest. |
| Additional Ortega episodes | Expands the material connected to the hero’s family story. | The central premise still begins with Ortega’s child setting out at sixteen. |
The result is a version that respects the classic design while removing some avoidable friction. A newcomer can speed up battles when repetition becomes tiring, use auto-battle selectively and benefit from a clearer interface. Those options make the first hours less cumbersome, but they do not promise that every player will find the game immediately easy.
Who should start with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake?
It is a strong fit if you want:
- A self-contained hero’s quest with a clear opening goal.
- The chronological beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy.
- Turn-based battles rather than real-time action combat.
- Freedom to explore towns, caves, dungeons and a broad world map.
- Early control over the makeup of your party.
- Classic RPG structure with modern conveniences such as battle-speed controls and auto-battle.
- Optional extra content, including Monster Wrangler, Monster Arena and additional Ortega episodes.
Consider another entry first if you want:
- A tightly directed route with little need to decide where to go next.
- Companions introduced gradually by a heavily scripted story.
- Action combat or a game that minimizes random or routine encounters.
- A definitive beginner ranking based on difficulty or playtime. The available official material does not establish that III is easier, shorter or more approachable than every other numbered entry.
That second list is not a criticism of III. It identifies a mismatch between the game’s design and a particular preference. A player can appreciate the remake’s presentation and still decide that a more linear role-playing game would be a gentler personal introduction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose between III and another Dragon Quest game
There is no evidence here for declaring one universal “best” starting game. Instead, use your reason for starting the series as the deciding factor.
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- Turn-based combat system and characters with multiple vocations
- Stunning HD 2D graphics that bring the world to life like never before
- Explore a big world full of exciting places and unexpected encounters
- Experience a timeless soundtrack and immerse yourself in the magic of the Dragon Quest universe
| Your priority | Most sensible choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Follow the connected Erdrick story in narrative order | Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake | Square Enix identifies III as the trilogy’s narrative beginning. |
| Experience a classic party RPG with exploration | Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake | Its structure centers on turn-based battles, a player-selected party and a large world. |
| Choose solely by proven beginner difficulty | No evidence-based winner established | The cited official material does not compare III’s difficulty with every other entry. |
| Choose by a later game’s specific setting or tone | Compare that game’s premise and format with your preferences | Dragon Quest games are not one continuous storyline outside connected arcs. |
If you are deciding between III and a later numbered game, treat claims about which is “easier” or “better for beginners” as preference-based unless they are supported by separate, reliable comparisons. The strongest objective case for III is its story position and its combination of traditional mechanics with modern controls.
A practical first-play plan
- Choose the platform that fits your setup. The North American Square Enix Store lists a standard physical edition for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Square Enix’s release announcement also lists PC versions through Windows and Steam. Check the listing for your region, platform and current stock before purchasing.
- Start with the premise, not the backstory. Remember the basic setup: you are Ortega’s child, leaving home on your sixteenth birthday to pursue Baramos. That is enough context to begin.
- Set battle speed early. Try the available speed options during ordinary encounters and keep the setting that makes repetition comfortable. You can adjust it as your patience or the difficulty of a situation changes.
- Use auto-battle as a convenience, not a default obligation. It can reduce input in straightforward fights. Select commands yourself when an encounter requires more deliberate planning.
- Give the opening party time to settle. Because the party is chosen near the beginning, avoid judging the entire game by the first few battles. Learn how your selected group handles exploration and combat before deciding whether the setup suits you.
- Explore methodically. Visit towns, speak with residents, inspect available routes and enter caves or dungeons when you are prepared. The world map is designed for discovery, so a detour can be useful even when it is not the shortest route.
- Try the added content when you want more context or variety. Monster Wrangler, Monster Arena and the additional Ortega episodes expand the remake beyond its central quest. They are options for players who want to spend more time in the world, not requirements for understanding the opening.
Platforms, editions and what the sales figure means
The North American store page identifies the standard physical product for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The release announcement lists PC availability through Windows and Steam. Because editions, stock and regional storefronts can change, verify the specific listing before buying rather than assuming that every version is available in every country.
On December 6, 2024, Square Enix announced more than two million worldwide shipments and digital downloads. That is a publisher-reported sales milestone. It indicates substantial market reach, but it is not evidence that the game is objectively easier, better or more suitable for every newcomer.
Final recommendation
Start with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake if you want the Erdrick Trilogy in chronological order and are comfortable with a classic, exploratory party RPG. Its clear premise, modern interface, adjustable battle speed and auto-battle options make the original structure easier to approach without erasing what makes it distinctive.
Go in expecting to make early party decisions, explore without constant direction and spend time in turn-based battles. With that expectation, III is not merely an acceptable entry point: it is one of the most logically grounded ways to discover this particular Dragon Quest storyline.
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