I discovered Dragon Quest III a little over a year ago and played it via the Super Famicom remake, and it quickly became one of my favorites in the genre. I can't think of another RPG that had me as involved in the investigation of its world, as I pieced together clues and ventured out into the open seas in search of faraway lands. It trusts the player to develop their own party and puzzle out their own combat strategies and feel their way around the map, and that freedom to explore and screw up and triumph and plan ahead and gamble and commit to long-term decisions all without any sort of guide made Dragon Quest III feel like my own journey, and replays only reveal how crucial those choices are. Dragon Quest III is never the same game twice, but (even if it isn't 100% perfect) it's always yours, and it's a testament to the game's design that it never becomes frustrating or aimless. It's a shame that its incredible twist is the series' worst-kept secret, but that didn't take away from the satisfaction of finally arriving at that revelation myself, because by the time I got there, it felt earned. I'm holding out hope that we get its best version in the West someday, because I really do feel that it's the quintessential game in the genre, if only because it so perfectly captures the essence of role-playing. If DQV is the heart's favorite Dragon Quest, then DQIII, I feel, is the brain's. Thanks for giving it the spotlight, it's always great to discover a channel that's willing to give these crusty old games the time of day, so I'll be sure to check out the rest of your stuff while I'm at it. (Real quick, I'd just like to mention that the introductory Ortega battle is present in the original Famicom/NES version, just without the larger context of the hero's birth and the journey that brought him to the volcano. That just makes its exclusion from the iOS and Switch versions all the more disappointing)
Yeah...I learned about the 8-bit Ortega volcano battle after doing this. Though correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that was added to the NES version but wasn't in the Famicom one. All things considered, the Western versions of Dragon Quest games are often the better ones.
Earthboundian Huh, I hadn’t even considered that the original Famicom version might not have featured the intro, but it looks like you’re right. I guess that could have something to do with its exclusion from the modern versions.
@@jordanresin9226 Doubt it. The Ortega volcano battle was in the animated intro for Japan's 25th anniversary Dragon Quest Collection. The mobile version just has a lot of unfortunate cuts like the enemy animations and the excluded "Treasures n' Trapdoors" minigame.
@@earthboundian4871 I'm aware, I'm just suggesting that the developers might've considered the intro worthy of exclusion because of its absence from the original.
Hey! The nes version also has a cutscene that shows ortega fighting against the dragon, you just need to wait in the title screen. And imo, it's better than the snes one.
I'm doing fine! Sorry about the lack of content. I'll have a video or two on a different rpg series coming out soon, then I will most likely cover the Zenithian Trilogy.
I was honestly pretty confused about the whole "erdrick" thing because I played the gameboy localizations and the names are ALLLLLL sorts of different.
Probably! I have a different RPG currently in the pipeline. But I'll likely get to the Zenithian Trilogy at some point. I'm glad you liked the Erdrick Trilogy. Thanks!
Got something a little different planned next. The start of what might become a new series of videos. The topic will still be on RPGs for the upcoming one though! Glad thus one came at a good time for you!
Uh...I LIKE Dragon Quest 1 and 2. I said as much repeatedly in their reviews. And I think The Dragon Quest series as a whole is one of the most lovingly crafted media franchises I've ever seen. I've got my gripes with the first two games, sure, but at the end of the day, I see them as outstanding pioneers and irreplaceable cornerstones of gaming history. Genuinely wasn't trying to throw shade at them, I just like every other Dragon Quest game more.
@@earthboundian4871 I just hate that phrase because 9.5 times out of 10 when people use it, its coming from a place of “this is old and outdated, new stuff is better.” To which I always respond, these “old” games didn’t need countless patches to make them playable and enjoyable.
Drawing the thumbnail for this was blast. Having to make the hero just drop into a hole all gung-ho was a hoot! XD
Looks like he's about to use zoom while indoors. Lol
I love Dragon Quest III so much. It's endlessly replayable.
Maybe someday I'll try a solo hero run if I'm feeling masochistic.
I discovered Dragon Quest III a little over a year ago and played it via the Super Famicom remake, and it quickly became one of my favorites in the genre. I can't think of another RPG that had me as involved in the investigation of its world, as I pieced together clues and ventured out into the open seas in search of faraway lands. It trusts the player to develop their own party and puzzle out their own combat strategies and feel their way around the map, and that freedom to explore and screw up and triumph and plan ahead and gamble and commit to long-term decisions all without any sort of guide made Dragon Quest III feel like my own journey, and replays only reveal how crucial those choices are. Dragon Quest III is never the same game twice, but (even if it isn't 100% perfect) it's always yours, and it's a testament to the game's design that it never becomes frustrating or aimless. It's a shame that its incredible twist is the series' worst-kept secret, but that didn't take away from the satisfaction of finally arriving at that revelation myself, because by the time I got there, it felt earned. I'm holding out hope that we get its best version in the West someday, because I really do feel that it's the quintessential game in the genre, if only because it so perfectly captures the essence of role-playing. If DQV is the heart's favorite Dragon Quest, then DQIII, I feel, is the brain's. Thanks for giving it the spotlight, it's always great to discover a channel that's willing to give these crusty old games the time of day, so I'll be sure to check out the rest of your stuff while I'm at it.
(Real quick, I'd just like to mention that the introductory Ortega battle is present in the original Famicom/NES version, just without the larger context of the hero's birth and the journey that brought him to the volcano. That just makes its exclusion from the iOS and Switch versions all the more disappointing)
Yeah...I learned about the 8-bit Ortega volcano battle after doing this. Though correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that was added to the NES version but wasn't in the Famicom one. All things considered, the Western versions of Dragon Quest games are often the better ones.
Earthboundian Huh, I hadn’t even considered that the original Famicom version might not have featured the intro, but it looks like you’re right. I guess that could have something to do with its exclusion from the modern versions.
@@jordanresin9226 Doubt it. The Ortega volcano battle was in the animated intro for Japan's 25th anniversary Dragon Quest Collection. The mobile version just has a lot of unfortunate cuts like the enemy animations and the excluded "Treasures n' Trapdoors" minigame.
@@earthboundian4871 I'm aware, I'm just suggesting that the developers might've considered the intro worthy of exclusion because of its absence from the original.
Hey! The nes version also has a cutscene that shows ortega fighting against the dragon, you just need to wait in the title screen. And imo, it's better than the snes one.
I realized this after finishing the review. It's pretty good, as you say!
14:26 "But not you three. History forgets all your labors."
Unless you're playing Dragon Quest 11.
Haha! Not quite the same, but yeah!
@@earthboundian4871 lol, in my latest playthrough of 3, I'm basing my party members off of the three characters from 11's backstory.
hey man just want to check if your ok you haven't posted and want to make sure. also wanted to ask if you are going to review the mobile 4.
I'm doing fine! Sorry about the lack of content. I'll have a video or two on a different rpg series coming out soon, then I will most likely cover the Zenithian Trilogy.
I was honestly pretty confused about the whole "erdrick" thing because I played the gameboy localizations and the names are ALLLLLL sorts of different.
Haven't played them myself but I heard about that. They didn't have the text space for the larger names. What was he called in that version?
@@earthboundian4871 loto. I think it's a direct translation of roto. Erdricks japanese name.
If you like 3, you’ll LOVE 4
Oh, I already played it and am partway into 5. Definitely quality stuff.
The reason why none of the player characters have any personality is because you're supposed to give them one.
I get that given that they're all completely customizable.
Are you going to come back and review the rest of the Dragon Quest series? I enjoyed watching this trilogy of videos :)
Probably! I have a different RPG currently in the pipeline. But I'll likely get to the Zenithian Trilogy at some point. I'm glad you liked the Erdrick Trilogy. Thanks!
Talk about timing, I just started the Switch version of this today after plowing through the DQ1 & DQ2 remakes. Any idea what you might cover next?
Got something a little different planned next. The start of what might become a new series of videos. The topic will still be on RPGs for the upcoming one though! Glad thus one came at a good time for you!
Earthboundian Can’t wait to see it!
I cannot for the life of me find the cinematics for 2 and 3 that you've shown in the videos. What are they from?
ua-cam.com/video/U2_JDMgMGQI/v-deo.html&ab_channel=ZeekatronJG
Is there DivineGon in Mobile Ver. Where you revive the father of the heeo.🤔
You mean Xenlon? I think so, though I didn't go there myself yet.
@@earthboundian4871 The bonus boss after Zoma. He is named DivineGon in GBC.
@@raymondcabusao2279 We're talking about the same one then.
Fuzzy pickels!
Wrong game, but deeply appreciated.
Here's the Ortega bit. Just watch it before you play DQ3!
ua-cam.com/video/JYYGj3NdgX8/v-deo.html
“Archaic game design” oh you mean when games are actually good and developers actually gave a 💩. got it
Uh...I LIKE Dragon Quest 1 and 2. I said as much repeatedly in their reviews. And I think The Dragon Quest series as a whole is one of the most lovingly crafted media franchises I've ever seen. I've got my gripes with the first two games, sure, but at the end of the day, I see them as outstanding pioneers and irreplaceable cornerstones of gaming history. Genuinely wasn't trying to throw shade at them, I just like every other Dragon Quest game more.
@@earthboundian4871 I just hate that phrase because 9.5 times out of 10 when people use it, its coming from a place of “this is old and outdated, new stuff is better.” To which I always respond, these “old” games didn’t need countless patches to make them playable and enjoyable.
@@Danarchy3 Fair enough!