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Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a loving recreation of a classic game that first launched back in 1988, launching to critical acclaim and capturing new and veteran audiences alike. There is something a little weird about Square Enix’s plans for the series though, as it is also planning on remaking the first two Dragon Quest games.
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So why was the third game the first to launch? Well, there are a few reasons behind that decision that make total sense when you understand a little more about the history of the series, this specific trilogy, and the cultural impact that Dragon Quest 3 (once known as Dragon Warrior 3) made on the world of gaming.
Why Was Dragon Quest 3 Remade First?
There are two possible reasons/trains of thought as to why Dragon Quest 3 came before the first two games in the series:
- Dragon Quest 3 is the bigger title in terms of impact and popularity by a large margin. By remaking this title first, Square Enix could gauge the interest in remaking the first two, which are comparatively far less renowned or popular.
- Dragon Quest 3 is actually a prequel to 1 and 2, with the three making an out-of-order trilogy.
With these two points, it is clear that it is both the financially clever choice and the one that will help ease new players into the trilogy. It gave Square Enix license to make changes to Dragon Quest 3 to tie it even more into the first two games.
Back in the day, Dragon Quest 3’s status as a prequel was not marketed; it was an in-game surprise. As this is common knowledge today, it makes even more sense for DQ3 to be marketed as an entry point into the trilogy rather than simply releasing it first because it’s more popular. It’s truly a best-of-both-worlds, perhaps all-worlds, situation.
Do You Need To Play Dragon Quest 1 & 2 Before Dragon Quest 3?
Since Dragon Quest 3 is a prequel to 1 and 2, it would actually make more sense to play it before them. This is before you consider that there have been additions in the HD-2D Remake to make it an even more obvious prequel to a grander trilogy and narrative.
The Remake has been altered in a way that makes it more friendly as the beginning of the trilogy, so it would actually be less sensible to go in numerical order rather than chronological order.
To sum up, the best order to play the games would be DQ3, then DQ1, and finally, DQ2.
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