[TGS24] Masaaki Hayasaka Shares Insights on Preserving a Classic with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

We had the opportunity to interview Masaaki Hayasaka, Producer of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, at Tokyo Game Show 2024. The upcoming remake of the classic RPG has generated significant interest among fans, and Hayasaka-san shared valuable insights into the development process and design choices behind this highly anticipated title.

The Choice of HD-2D Graphics

Hayasaka explained that the decision to use HD-2D graphics instead of a full 3D overhaul was driven by the desire to best express the charm of the original game, which was released almost 30 years ago. The team aimed to keep the essence of the original intact while modernizing elements for improved playability and accessibility.

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“We felt that out of the many different graphic expressions that exist today, with the title that the original was released almost 30 years ago, we felt that the best and most suitable way to express it would be to go HD-2D rather than full 3D,” Hayasaka stated. He emphasized that their goal was to “keep the charm of the original intact as much as possible,” with new elements primarily focused on modernizing playability and accessibility.

Hayasaka noted that this approach lets them preserve the iconic designs and layouts of the original while enhancing them with depth and detail that wasn’t possible on older hardware.

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Orchestral Soundtrack Enhancement

The soundtrack for the remake will feature orchestral arrangements, a choice inspired by Hayasaka’s experience as assistant producer and sound director on Octopath Traveler. He noted that orchestral music complements the HD-2D visual style particularly well, enhancing the game’s atmosphere.

Hayasaka shared, “I actually was the assistant producer and sound director for Octopath Traveler 1, and that’s actually when I realized that for the HD-2D graphics, the sort of orchestral sound really soothes that atmosphere. It really heightens the atmosphere for the HD-2D style.” He added, “The orchestral sound is so expansive, and it does a lot to really enhance the visuals of the game as well. They really go hand-in-hand very well.”

The decision to go with an orchestral soundtrack wasn’t made lightly. Hayasaka explained, “The two options that we were looking to were the original sounds of the game when it first came out versus the orchestral sound.” Ultimately, the team felt that the richness and depth of orchestral arrangements would best complement the enhanced visuals and help create a more immersive experience for players.

Challenges in Map Adaptation

Regarding the game’s development, Hayasaka emphasized the challenge of adapting the original top-down map view to the more three-dimensional HD-2D style while maintaining the original composition and layout. This process reportedly took one to two years to perfect.

“One of the most challenging elements was to really bring that original map from the game into the current visuals,” Hayasaka explained. “The shape of the map is pretty much the same as the original version, and the composition, like where the buildings are located and the paths and the dungeons, these have all been kept intact.” He added, “We really spent the first one to two years to get this part just right.”

“With the original, it was kind of a top-down view of everything when it came to the map, whereas with the HD2D version, everything has become more just 3D, and so there’s a different view of the entire scenery,” Hayasaka elaborated. This required meticulous attention to detail and numerous iterations to achieve the right balance.

Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation

The team’s guiding principle throughout development was to meet the expectations of both long-time fans and newcomers. Hayasaka stressed that they were intentional about every decision, carefully considering what to keep, add, or remove to appeal to both audiences.

“Each decision we had to make, we really thought about how we can meet the expectations of both long-time fans and newcomers. We really were intentional about that, down to very small details,” Hayasaka said. He emphasized that this approach “really helped us to decide the overall direction on what to keep versus what to cut out.”

This balancing act extended to every aspect of the game, from visual design to gameplay mechanics. Hayasaka noted, “We looked at things if we were to cut them, this might make the fans of the original version sad, or if we added this, long-time fans as well as modern users might find it appealing.”

New Content: Ortega’s Episode

One notable addition to the remake is new episodes featuring Ortega, the protagonist’s father. Hayasaka explained that these additions were created in consultation with series creator Yuji Horii, aiming to expand on elements that couldn’t be included in the original due to hardware limitations.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake — Image Credit: Square Enix

“With Ortega, we thought about what the original team probably wanted to express about this story, but due to limitations in the capacity of the hardware at that time, we couldn’t quite fit everything in,” Hayasaka revealed. He added, “Obviously, we discussed with Horii-san, he was there the entire time providing his input and guidance, and that’s how we crafted the additional elements for Ortega’s story.”

Hayasaka emphasized that they were careful to ensure these additions enhanced rather than altered the original story. “In the original, there wasn’t too much said about Ortega, and we feel like fans probably want to know more about him and the story behind him,” he explained.

Preserving the Sense of Freedom

Hayasaka also highlighted the game’s sense of freedom, describing the original Dragon Quest III as nearly an “open world” game for its time. The remake aims to preserve this freedom while introducing modern players to what an open-world experience was like in the earlier days of gaming.

“Dragon Quest 3 could almost be considered an open world of that age as well,” Hayasaka noted. “What we really did was just try to maintain this sense of freedom and also introduce players in the modern day to what an open world game was like back in the day and give that sort of experience to players of today.”

He elaborated on the significance of this freedom in the series’ history: “Even from Dragon Quest 1, there was already a lot of freedom that was available to players. I really feel like that’s what made the world of Dragon Quest so unique and exciting for players.” By preserving this aspect, the remake aims to capture the spirit of exploration and adventure that defined the original while presenting it in a way that appeals to modern gaming sensibilities.

Post-Game Content

When asked about post-game content in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Hayasaka confirmed that there will be additional elements available after completing the main story, though specific details were not provided.

“Yes, so we’ve definitely included these post-game elements that will become available once you have cleared the main game, so please look forward to new feature information coming out about this,” Hayasaka teased. While he didn’t divulge specifics, his comments suggest that players can expect substantial content to engage with after finishing the main storyline, potentially offering new challenges or narrative elements to explore.

Message to Fans and Future of Dragon Quest

In his message to fans, Hayasaka expressed hope that longtime players will enjoy seeing their visions of the game world come to life in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. For newcomers, he emphasized that Dragon Quest III is an excellent entry point to the series, offering an accessible yet complete RPG experience.

“I really feel like we’ve been able to visualize what many fans have been imagining in their minds to fill in their gaps, and actually incorporate it into this remake,” Hayasaka said. For new players, he added, “This is really a legendary title that’s beloved within the series, so I’m really excited for people to be able to experience it.”

Hayasaka concluded by noting the potential for growth in Western markets, where Dragon Quest has room to expand its fanbase with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. He expressed enthusiasm for new players to discover the series through this remake, viewing it as an ideal starting point for exploring the world of Dragon Quest.

“I feel like outside Japan, there’s so much room for growth. There’s so many more people that haven’t experienced this series yet,” Hayasaka stated. He emphasized, “Dragon Quest III is really the perfect entry point to get into the series as a whole, so I’d really love for players to be able to jump into this title and see how fun and exciting the world of Dragon Quest is, and continue playing more games in the series.”