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Octopath Traveler II is the best next game for most players finishing Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake: it is part of the same HD-2D visual family and preserves the appeal of expressive pixel characters in richly rendered 3D environments. Choose Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake if you want the Erdrick story to continue, Triangle Strategy if you want tactical positioning, or LIVE A LIVE if you would rather play several shorter scenarios than one uninterrupted quest.
Quick answer: which game should you play next?
There is no single successor for every Dragon Quest III player because the remake combines several pleasures: traditional command battles, a long-form adventure, classic pixel-art identity, and a modern 2D-and-3D presentation. The right follow-up depends on which of those elements you want to preserve and which you are ready to change.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
OCTOPATH TRAVELER II | $35.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Octopath Traveler II - Nintendo Switch | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Octopath Traveler II | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Octopath Traveler II | $25.57 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 (Nintendo Switch 2) | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game | Best for | What carries over | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopath Traveler II | The closest visual and structural follow-up | HD-2D presentation and turn-based role-playing | A different world and a less direct story connection |
| Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake | Players who want Erdrick continuity | Dragon Quest setting and familiar command-battle foundation | A direct continuation rather than a new series |
| Triangle Strategy | Players who want tactical positioning | The broader HD-2D visual family | Grid-based tactical decision-making replaces a straightforward adventure focus |
| LIVE A LIVE | Players who prefer chapter-based scenarios | HD-2D presentation and turn-based encounters | Several self-contained scenarios instead of one continuous traditional quest |
Square Enix reported more than 2 million units sold worldwide for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake in 2024, so there is a large audience looking for a next step. These recommendations are organized by the specific feature you want to keep, not by an arbitrary score.
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Nintendo describes Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake as using classic DRAGON QUEST turn-based battles while combining dynamic 3D backgrounds with 2D pixel sprites. That combination matters: a follow-up can feel familiar because of its visual language, because of its command-based combat, or because it continues the same fictional lineage. Those are separate kinds of continuity, and the four choices below divide along those lines.
#1 Best Overall
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
Square Enix places Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake at the beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy. The trilogy connection makes Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake the most logical narrative continuation, while the HD-2D catalogue places Octopath Traveler II, Triangle Strategy, and LIVE A LIVE in the same broad visual conversation. Similar presentation does not mean identical pacing or combat, so use the comparison axes below before choosing.
- Visual treatment: Do you want pixel sprites framed by dimensional environments again?
- Continuity: Do you want the Erdrick story, or are you comfortable entering an unrelated world?
- Combat emphasis: Should battles remain traditional command encounters, or should positioning become the central decision?
- Structure: Do you want another continuous journey, or a set of chapters with their own scenarios?
- Edition and platform: Which version is currently sold in your region, and does it match the system you use?
Octopath Traveler II: the closest HD-2D follow-up
Why it is the strongest visual match
Octopath Traveler II is the clearest recommendation when the presentation of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is what you want to repeat. Square Enix says the Dragon Quest remake uses a style pioneered by Octopath Traveler, and the official HD-2D catalogue lists both games. You therefore get the same broad design idea: small, readable pixel characters placed in environments with depth, lighting, and camera scale that a purely 2D role-playing game would not provide.
This is a visual recommendation, not a claim that the two games share a setting or plot. Octopath Traveler II is the better handoff for someone who wants a new world without giving up the tactile look that made the remake feel contemporary. It also keeps the basic turn-based role-playing expectation intact, so the transition does not require abandoning menu-driven decision-making.
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- Choose it if the pixel-art characters and 3D scenery were the part of the remake you most often stopped to admire.
- Choose it if you want another full role-playing adventure rather than a direct sequel to the Erdrick story.
- Choose it if you are willing to learn a new setting while keeping a familiar turn-based rhythm.
What to expect from the change
The main adjustment is contextual rather than graphical. You are leaving the Dragon Quest world, so names, lore, and the exact shape of progression will not provide the same continuity as Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. Approach it as a presentation and genre follow-up, not as the next chapter of the same plot. That framing prevents the most common mismatch: buying it for Erdrick-related story answers that it is not positioned to provide.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake: continue the Erdrick Trilogy
Why it is the continuity choice
Square Enix describes Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake as continuing the Erdrick Trilogy begun by Dragon Quest III. If your priority is to remain inside the same mythic line, this is the natural next purchase. You are not merely choosing another game with similar menus; you are following the trilogy in the order suggested by its modern remakes.
Rank #2
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish; You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more; Where will you go, What will you do, Every path is yours to take
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating; New mechanics have also been added
The appeal here is narrative and tonal familiarity. Players who enjoyed the remake’s classic Dragon Quest identity, recognizable command battles, and sense of a connected heroic tradition should start here before sampling unrelated HD-2D games. It is the recommendation to make when continuity matters more than novelty.
Who should choose it
- Choose it if you want the Erdrick Trilogy to remain the center of your next role-playing session.
- Choose it if familiar Dragon Quest command battles are more important than experimenting with a different combat structure.
- Choose it if you want the most direct answer to the question, “What comes after Dragon Quest III?”
The trade-off
This option is intentionally conservative. It does not provide the largest change of setting or battle emphasis, because its purpose is to preserve the series thread. If you finished Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake wanting a completely different type of decision-making, move to Triangle Strategy instead. If what you want is a different scenario format, consider LIVE A LIVE.
Triangle Strategy: choose tactics over traditional adventure flow
What makes it different
Triangle Strategy appears in the official HD-2D catalogue, making it a fit for players who want the same broad visual family without another conventional Dragon Quest-style journey. Its defining recommendation is tactical positioning. Battles ask you to think about where units stand and how the field changes the value of each action, rather than treating every encounter primarily as a sequence of menu commands.
That distinction is important when setting expectations. The visual connection can make Triangle Strategy look like an obvious extension of the remake, but its appeal lies in changing the combat emphasis. You are choosing it for deliberate, scenario-driven tactical decisions, not because it continues Erdrick’s story.
Who should choose it
- Choose it if the remake’s battles left you wanting more control over placement and turn order.
- Choose it if you enjoy pausing to evaluate a battlefield instead of selecting the fastest command.
- Choose it if you want HD-2D presentation but are ready for a more tactical structure.
How to decide whether the shift is right
Think about the moments you remember from Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. If your favorite decisions involved party composition and command selection, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake or Octopath Traveler II will preserve more of that rhythm. If you remember planning around positions, formations, or the order in which threats could be reached, Triangle Strategy is the more meaningful evolution.
Rank #3
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
LIVE A LIVE: a chapter-based alternative
Why its structure matters
LIVE A LIVE is another title in the official HD-2D catalogue, but its strongest recommendation is structural. It is suited to players who prefer a chapter-based format over one continuous traditional quest. Instead of asking you to commit to a single uninterrupted journey in the same way as a classic party adventure, it presents multiple scenarios that can be approached as distinct dramatic units.
That format can be useful after a long role-playing game. You can finish a chapter, take a break, and return without needing to remember a large number of simultaneous objectives. It also changes how you evaluate progress: the question is less “How far am I through the one world?” and more “Which scenario do I want to experience next?”
Who should choose it
- Choose it if you want variety in setting and premise from one segment to the next.
- Choose it if a single enormous quest feels demanding after completing the remake.
- Choose it if you want HD-2D presentation but do not need an Erdrick connection.
The trade-off
A chapter-based design does not provide the same uninterrupted party-road-trip feeling as a traditional Dragon Quest adventure. If your favorite part of the remake was watching one group develop across a single quest, choose Octopath Traveler II for a broader adventure or Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake for direct continuity.
Choose by the feature you want to preserve
| Your priority | Start with | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| The same pixel-and-3D visual language | Octopath Traveler II | It is identified as part of the HD-2D family and the style’s earlier standard-bearer. |
| The next Erdrick-related story | Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake | It continues the trilogy begun by Dragon Quest III. |
| More positional, tactical battles | Triangle Strategy | Its recommendation is built around tactical positioning. |
| Several shorter scenarios | LIVE A LIVE | Its chapter-based format changes the shape of the journey. |
| A new setting without leaving turn-based role-playing | Octopath Traveler II | It changes the world while retaining the genre’s command-driven foundation. |
A decision path for four common player types
If you want “more Dragon Quest”
Begin with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. The publisher’s description explicitly places it after the trilogy’s opening remake, so it answers the continuity question directly. Only switch to another recommendation if you decide that a new visual setting or a different battle structure matters more than staying with Erdrick.
If you want “the same look, new world”
Select Octopath Traveler II. It is the safest transition when the remake’s presentation is the feature you are unwilling to lose. Treat the absence of a shared story as a benefit: you can explore a fresh setting while keeping the visual grammar that made the remake distinctive.
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- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
If you want battles to demand more spatial planning
Select Triangle Strategy. Its place on the HD-2D catalogue gives you visual continuity, while its tactical positioning gives you a new reason to think before every move. This is the recommendation for players whose curiosity is focused on combat systems rather than lore.
If you want a shorter-session format
Select LIVE A LIVE. Chapter-based scenarios let you divide your play into clearer units. The format is especially appropriate when you want role-playing variety without immediately committing to another single, continuous quest.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to move from the remake without a frustrating mismatch
- Name the element you are carrying forward. Write down whether it is the visual style, Dragon Quest continuity, command battles, or the long-form adventure. Do not choose a game based only on a screenshot if your real priority is story connection.
- Decide whether you want continuity or contrast. Continuity points to Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. Contrast points to one of the unrelated HD-2D games.
- Set your combat expectation. Stay with a traditional command emphasis through Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake or Octopath Traveler II; choose Triangle Strategy when positioning should be central.
- Choose your preferred structure. Pick a continuous adventure when you want one sustained journey. Pick LIVE A LIVE when chapters and scenario changes sound more appealing.
- Check the edition sold where you live. Store listings, supported platforms, subtitles, and physical availability can differ by region and can change over time. Verify the current regional listing before buying.
- Use your first session as a fit check. Pay attention to whether the first hours confirm the feature you chose. If you selected a game for visual similarity but find yourself missing Erdrick continuity, that is a preference mismatch, not a failure of the recommendation.
Platform and edition checks before purchase
Availability is not a permanent property of a game. Digital storefronts can list different editions by country, and physical stock can disappear even when a title remains supported digitally. The supplied comparisons establish the games and their design relationships, but they do not establish one universal platform list for every region in 2026.
- Open the storefront for your actual console or PC account, not a different country’s page.
- Confirm that the listing is the intended HD-2D edition rather than an older release with a similar name.
- Check language options and any regional restrictions shown on the product page.
- For physical purchases, verify the seller, stock status, and the region printed on the case.
- Compare the edition’s included content before assuming two listings are identical.
Common mistakes when choosing a follow-up
Assuming every HD-2D game is a sequel
HD-2D describes a visual family, not a shared universe. Octopath Traveler II, Triangle Strategy, and LIVE A LIVE are useful comparisons because of presentation and genre, while Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is the continuity pick. Keep those categories separate when deciding.
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A screenshot can show pixel sprites and dimensional scenery, but it cannot tell you whether positioning, chapter structure, or trilogy continuity will define your experience. Start with the combat and structure tables above, then use visual similarity as a tie-breaker.
Best Value
- Embark on an adventure of your own creation. The latest in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series.
- New story content – Experience original, streamlined story content and quests with new paths to achieve.
- Character creation – Create a customized protagonist with unique appearance, voice, motions and more.
- Town building system – Rebuild the protagonist's town as the story progresses with evolving town reconstruction mechanics and development while inviting new people to live in the town.*
- HD-2D Visuals – The series’ iconic graphic style returns, bringing a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.
Expecting a single “best” answer for every mood
The best next game can change with the kind of session you want. A player seeking a connected quest should not be pushed toward a chapter-based design merely because both games use HD-2D presentation. Match the recommendation to the feature you are trying to preserve.
Final recommendation
Start with Octopath Traveler II if you want the closest overall follow-up to the HD-2D experience. Start with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake if the Erdrick Trilogy is the reason you played the remake. Choose Triangle Strategy for tactical positioning, and choose LIVE A LIVE for a chapter-based change of pace. Checking those four priorities will give you a better answer than ranking the games without knowing what you valued in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game is most similar to Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake visually?
Octopath Traveler II. It is listed in the same HD-2D catalogue, and Square Enix identifies the Dragon Quest remake’s presentation as a style pioneered by Octopath Traveler.
What should I play for the next Erdrick Trilogy chapter?
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, which Square Enix describes as continuing the trilogy begun by Dragon Quest III.
Which recommendation has the most tactical combat focus?
Triangle Strategy. Choose it when positioning and battlefield decisions matter more to you than preserving a conventional adventure structure.
Which game is best for chapter-based play?
LIVE A LIVE. Its chapter-based format suits players who prefer separate scenarios over one continuous traditional quest.
Quick Recap
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