What are you looking for?
Ej: Medical degree, admissions, grants...
I still remember the first time I played the original Dragon Quest III back in the day—the vast overworld felt both exciting and, if I'm being honest, sometimes a bit empty between major locations. You'd often find yourself just trudging from point A to point B unless you deliberately wanted to grind battles for experience. But let me tell you, the Gzone remake completely transforms this experience in ways that had me grinning like a kid discovering gaming for the first time.
What really blew me away were those little sparkly spots scattered across the map. At first, I almost ignored them, thinking they were just visual effects, but curiosity got the better of me. I'm so glad it did—these shimmering markers became my obsession. I'd spot one in the distance and immediately change course, my whole party diverting from our main quest. The rewards? Sometimes it's just consumable herbs or old equipment you can sell for about 500 gold pieces—nothing groundbreaking, but enough to make the detour worthwhile. Other times though, I stumbled upon gear that felt like I'd cheated the system. I remember finding the Meteorite Bracers when my characters were around level 15—equipment that would normally require defeating bosses much later in the game. These discoveries created those "can you believe this?" moments that I'd immediately text my gaming friends about.
Then there are those strangely shaped land formations that just scream "investigate me!" I nearly missed one shaped like a crescent moon in the desert region because I was focused on reaching the next town. When I finally doubled back, it revealed a hidden cave entrance that wasn't marked on any in-game maps. Inside? A treasure trove literally—three chests containing rare accessories, two recruitable monster companions that joined my party immediately, and this friendly old sage NPC who shared backstory about the world that I'd never known despite playing the original multiple times. These aren't just random collectibles either; they're thoughtfully placed secrets that make the world feel alive and mysterious.
The beauty of these additions isn't just in the loot though—it's in how they change your relationship with exploration itself. Instead of viewing travel as a necessary evil between story beats, I found myself actively mapping out routes that would take me past multiple suspicious locations. The journey became the destination, as they say. And here's the brilliant part—while you're hunting for these secrets, you're naturally engaging in battles along the way. I gained approximately 3-4 levels during what I thought was just a "quick detour" through the northern grasslands, all without the mind-numbing repetition of traditional grinding. It's the gaming equivalent of eating your vegetables when they taste like dessert.
Compared to the original's sometimes barren landscapes, the remake's world feels dense with possibility. Where before I might have used quick travel whenever possible, now I find myself deliberately choosing to walk, just to see what I might discover between locations. The developers understood that modern gamers appreciate purposeful exploration over empty landscapes, and they've delivered what I consider to be the perfect balance. These additions have honestly changed how I approach RPGs in general—I'm now constantly checking every nook and cranny in other games, hoping to find similar surprises.
What I appreciate most is how these elements serve different types of players. If you're someone who enjoys power-leveling early, those hidden powerful weapons give you a satisfying edge. If you're more into lore and world-building, the hidden NPCs and locations expand the story in organic ways. And if you're like me—someone with limited gaming time who still wants to feel immersed—these discoveries make every play session feel meaningful rather than just checking off quest objectives. The remake has essentially turned the overworld into its own character, one that's constantly whispering secrets to those willing to listen. After putting about 45 hours into the Gzone version so far, I can confidently say this approach to world design should become the new standard for RPG remakes. It respects your time while simultaneously encouraging you to lose track of it—the perfect paradox for any great game.