Best Games Similar To Dragon Quest 3 Remake

Key Takeaways

• Dragon Quest 3 Remake offers a modern take on a classic RPG, completing it in 30-40 hours.
• Try Live A Live for a unique story structure with different protagonists from various time periods.
• Baldur’s Gate 3 provides a similar fantasy setting with D&D-style combat and exploration.

36 years after it’s initial launch, Dragon Quest 3 is back with a HD-2D remake. While there have been plenty of changes made to update the game and make modern tweaks, the core of the game is still the same classic RPG.

However, compared to a lot of other modern RPGs, Dragon Quest 3 isn’t as long as some others can get, only taking about 30 to 40 hours to complete. Because of this, you can easily feel like you want more by the time you’ve finished, so what games should you try out if you loved Dragon Quest 3 Remake?

8 Live A Live

Journey Through Time And Space

Ever since the style was innovated, there have been HD-2D games coming out almost annually, with it being a popular choice for remaking older games to look amazing on new consoles. One of the best examples of this (aside from Dragon Quest 3 Remake itself) is Live A Live.

While Live A Live still follows plenty of the standard RPG conventions, the main way it stands out is how the story is structured. Instead of following one protagonist as they progress throughout a linear story, you’ll follow a collection of different protagonists from various time periods. This unique approach makes the story of Live A Live a refreshing adventure to play through.

Fantasy On A Schedule

While the Persona series are some of the most popular turn-based RPGs available, it’s tricky to know where to start in the series, and the contemporary setting is a harsh contrast to the fantasy of Dragon Quest 3 Remake. So, if you want something that feels like the perfect middle ground between the two, then Metaphor: ReFantazio is the best option.

Following the same calendar structure popularized by Persona, the game has a unique fantasy setting with a variety of separate tribes with their own customs and rife discrimination between the groups. Learning about the dynamics between the tribes while trying to win a nationwide competition to take over the throne makes for an enticing narrative to work through.

6 Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Monster Wrangling But Cuter

Some of the most impactful changes made in Dragon Quest 3 Remake compared to the original version are related to the monsters of the game. Whether it’s the Monster Wrangler vocation, or the unique fights in the monster arena, it’s understandable that after finishing Dragon Quest 3 Remake, you might want to stay with the monster-catching theme.

Pokemon is, of course, the king of this subgenre, but Legend Arceus completely reinvented the series with a more action-oriented approach that puts all the attention on your collection of critters.

5 Baldur’s Gate 3

Turn-Based Perfection

If you had a blast with the turn-based combat in the fantasy setting of Dragon Quest 3 Remake, and you want something similar, but somehow completely different at the same time, then Baldur’s Gate 3 manages to fit that tricky bill.

Instead of using traditional RPG turn-based combat, Baldur’s Gate 3 opts for Dungeons & Dragons-style combat and exploration. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the conventions of this subgenre, Baldur’s Gate 3 eases you in with plenty of options and online resources to make the lengthy adventure easy to understand and get lost in.

4 Super Mario RPG

Classic RPG With Modern Polish

If you enjoyed the feeling of working through an older RPG remade for modern consoles, then one of the best is the remake of Super Mario RPG (even if you can still enjoy the original just as much too). While the look is cleaned up for the Switch, you can still feel the classic DNA running through this fast-paced RPG adventure.

While the turn-based combat is simple and your party is not that customisable, the action commands make the combat more engaging. You’ll have to time button prompts to ensure you deal maximum damage to your enemies, keeping the combat refreshing throughout.

3 Final Fantasy 3

All About The Jobs

One of the best features of Dragon Quest 3 Remake is the level of customization with the vocation system, and how much you can tailor the members of your party to perfectly suit your taste. If you want another RPG that puts focus on a similar job system (and also happens to be the third entry in a classic RPG series), then moving onto Final Fantasy 3 is a safe bet.

Placing less emphasis on the story, the focus in Final Fantasy 3 is on the fantastic job system that gives you almost complete control over how your party progress throughout the game. If you want a bit more story included, the 3D Remake gives personality to the party members, while still keeping the core feeling of the game the same.

2 Dragon Quest 11

All The Way To The Latest Quest

While there are, of course, plenty of changes that have been made to the Dragon Quest series since the original Dragon Quest 3, plenty of things have also stayed the same. Because of this, skipping ahead to Dragon Quest 11 is a great option.

The world of Dragon Quest 11 looks fantastic, and you’ll follow the Luminary as they work through what seems to be a standard RPG narrative, which ends up going down a much more twisted path than you’d initially expect.

1 Octopath Traveler

HD-2D Pioneer

The first game to popularize the HD-2D style, Octopath Traveler, perfectly encapsulates the style of game that suits this look. In spite of being a newer title, Octopath Traveler is a classic feeling RPG, with some modern twists thrown in to make it more accessible.

With a turn-saving feature, the combat is dynamic, and with eight protagonists sharing the limelight, there is plenty to keep you going as you work through each of their separate narratives.