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{{Infobox VG
#REDIRECT [[Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation]]
| title = Dragon Quest III
| type = Main series games
| image = [[File:DQIIIGBC_box_art.jpg|300px]]
| caption = North American boxart of the Game Boy Color release
| developer = [[Chunsoft]]<br />[[Heartbeat]] (SFC)<br />[[TOSE]] (GBC)
| publisher = [[Enix]]
|designer = [[Yūji Horii]]
| artist = [[Akira Toriyama]]
| composer = [[Kōichi Sugiyama]]
| engine =
| released = '''Nintendo Entertainment System'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=February 10, 1988|NA=June 12, 1991}}'''Super Famicom'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 6, 1996}}'''Game Boy Color'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 8, 2000|NA=July 7, 2001}}'''Mobile phones'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=TBA}}
| genre = [[Wikipedia:Console role-playing game|Console role-playing]]
| modes = [[Wikipedia:Single-player|Single-player]]
| ratings = '''Game Boy Color'''<br />{{vgratings|ESRB=T}}
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]], [[Game Boy Color]]
| media = 2-megabit FC cartridge<br />4-[[Wikipedia:megabit|megabit]] NES [[Wikipedia:cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]]<br />32-megabit SFC cartridge<br />32-megabit GBC cartridge
| requirements =
| input =
| series = ''[[Dragon Quest]]''
}}
'''Dragon Quest III''' (ドラゴンクエストIII そして伝説へ… or Doragon Kuesuto III Soshite Densetsu e...), translated as '''''Dragon Quest III: And Into the Legend...''''', was the third game in the Dragon Quest series of role-playing games published by [[Enix]] and released on the [[Famicom]]/[[NES]].  It was later remade and released on the [[Super Famicom]] and [[Game Boy Color]]. 
 
==Gameplay==
''Dragon Quest III'' is known for greatly expanding upon the gameplay of its predecessors. ''Dragon Quest III'' adds a customizable party and class system, in which each character has a certain class. While the hero always keeps the Hero class, the other characters can choose among the following: Soldier/Warrior, Fighter, Pilgrim/Cleric, Wizard/Mage, Merchant/Dealer, Goof-off/Jester, and Thief. The choice of class greatly effects the character's stats and spells he or she can learn. Furthermore, upon reaching level 20, a character may change classes at the [[Temple of Dharma]].
 
Another innovation is an arena where the player can place bets on the outcome of monster battles. ''Dragon Quest III'' features a much larger world than its predecessors, as well as a much larger array of items, equipment, magic, and enemies. It was intended to have even more features, including a [[small medal]] system, but these additional features were cut from the original release to save space.  Most of these features were then re-added in remakes of the game.
 
Both remake versions of ''Dragon Quest III'' offers additional features, including a mini game called [[Pachisi]] ([[Suguroku]] in Japan) from which the player can win items, monster and attack animation in battles, a new Thief class, two challenging bonus dungeons, a monster medal collection, new items, the [[small medal]] system seen in later ''Dragon Quest'' games, individual personality types for the members of your party which determine which stats increase when they level up, a pre-game sequence in which your Hero's personality is determined based on your answers to moral dilemmas similar to that in [[Wikipedia:Ultima IV]], and many other small changes.
 
==World==
 
Dragon Warrior III initially takes place in a world very similar to Earth. The world map itself roughly resembles a map of Earth and many areas are modeled after different cultures like [[Romaly]] (Rome), [[Isis]] (Egypt), [[Jipang]] (Japan) and [[Soo]] (America) and are located in areas of the map roughly equivalent to their inspirations. Later in the game, the party travels to [[Alefgard]], a world that exists beneath the surface of the first world. This world is familiar as well, encompassing the lands from the first [[Dragon Warrior]].
 
===New features===
* It is now possible to change the party's marching order. Also, characters can be added or dropped at [[Ruida's Tavern]].
* The [[Zoom]] spell and the [[Chimera wing]] now offer a selection of places to go, instead of automatically returning the party to the last save point.
* Several new [[List of character statistics|statistics]]: agility, vitality, intelligence, and luck appear for the first time. Also, each statistic is now capped at 255. The amount of stat points gained with each level is now randomized, with a range depending on the character's class.
* The combat system is enhanced to use the new stats; in particular agility will affect the order in which characters and monsters act.
* It is possible to attack allies; this is useful for curing [[status effect]]s such as [[sleep]] or [[confusion]].
* Experience values are divided by the number of current party members, so a lone hero will gain experience faster than a full party of four.
* There is a [[day-night cycle]] for the first time. [[Alefgard]] is always shrouded in night, however.
* Even the original Japanese version now has a battery save, instead of a password system. This means that more information can be saved from one game to the next; for example, a list of chests which have been opened, and the full stat list of the party.
* There is now an [[Lamia|aerial vehicle]] in addition to the [[ship]].
* [[Mimic]]s appear for the first time. There is also an [[identify spell]] to detect mimics.
* [[Vault]]s appear for the first time, allowing gold to be preserved upon the party's demise, and storing unneeded items. The vault charges a commission to store items. The latter feature was removed in the remakes, since they added [[the Bag]].
* Certain towns feature [[Monster Arena]]s, where the player can bet gold on which monster will win a fight. Odds are chosen based on the monster species, and the bet amount is determined by the lead character's level.
 
==Plot==
{{spoiler|start}}
The game opens with a massive battle over a volcano between a man with blue hair and a dragon. The battle rages on for several seconds until the blue haired man cuts the wing off of the dragon causing the battle to continue on the ground. The blue haired man eventually runs the dragon through, however the dragon takes hold of the blue haired man and turns and begins to walk into the volcano. The volcano erupts and there is a scream heard, the screen fades to black.
 
''Dragon Quest III'' is set many years before the original ''[[Dragon Quest I|Dragon Quest]]'' in a world bearing great similarity to the real world.  A wicked fiend, [[Baramos]], threatens to destroy the world.  The hero, son or daughter (you can choose to be either male or female) of the legendary Ortega, recruits up to three travelling companions and sets out to defeat [[Baramos]], only to find later that [[Baramos]] is merely a disciple of [[Zoma]], the fiend who rules the Dark World below.  The hero then travels to the Dark World, which is known as [[Alefgard]] in subsequent installments of the series, and restores light.  For his bravery, the hero receives the title of [[Roto|Loto]] (Erdrick in the NES version).
 
The flow of the game is as follows.  The hero travels from his home country of [[Aliahan]] to explore the world and acquire three [[key|keys]] needed to open doors throughout the game.  After saving a couple of the town of [[Baharata]] from the rogue [[Kandar]], the hero receives [[Black Pepper]], which he trades for a sailing [[ship]] at [[Portoga]].  With the ship, the hero acquires the [[Final Key]] and the six mystical orbs which are used to revive the legendary bird [[Lamia]].  Lamia takes the hero to Baramos' castle.  After a ferocious battle, the hero's celebration is cut off as Zoma attacks and opens the pit to the dark world.  In the dark world, the hero acquires the [[Stones of Sunlight]], the [[Staff of Rain]], and the [[Seal of Rubiss]].  These items are then exchanged for the [[Rainbow Drop]].  This item creates a bridge, which leads the hero to Zoma's castle for the final confrontation.
{{spoiler|end}}
 
==Soundtrack==
As with every Dragon Quest, [[Koichi Sugiyama]] composed the music and directed all the associated spinoffs. Here is the tracklisting of the Symphonic Suite:
# Roto (1:41)
# Prologue (3:58)
# Rondo (2:59)
# Around the World (Around the World ~ Town ~ Jipang ~ Pyramid ~ Village) (6:48)
# Adventure (3:09)
# Dungeon ~ Tower ~ The Phantom Ship (5:34)
# Distant Memories (2:52)
# Requiem ~ Small Shrine (3:11)
# Sailing (2:53)
# Heavenly Flight (2:44)
# Grueling Fight (4:05)
# Zoma's Castle (3:30)
# Fighting Spirits (Battle Theme ~ In Alefgard ~ Hero's Challenge) (5:41)
# Into the Legend (3:01)
 
 
== Version differences ==
Like most Dragon Quest games, Dragon Quest III was censored in its initial appearance in America as Dragon Warrior III. The Priest character class was renamed "Pilgrim," while the priests at churches were renamed healers. The churches themselves were referred to as Houses of Healing and had their Christian crosses replaced with six-pointed stars. Finally, dead party members were depicted as ghosts rather than as coffins with crosses on the lid as they were in the Japanese version of Dragon Quest III.
 
The Japan-only 1996 remake of Dragon Quest III for the Super Nintendo featured updated graphics and sound, a new Thief character class, a new Personality statistic that affected character development, the Tiny Medal collection game first introduced in Dragon Quest IV, Monster Medals, bonus dungeons and the Pachisi minigame. The later Gameboy Color version of the game, which saw release in America in 2001, was based on this version.
 
 
==== North American edition (NES edition) ====
 
* There is now a more elaborate title picture, and the title BGM is changed to "Theme of Erdrick". The BGM for savegame selection is also changed; it is now the same as in [[Dragon Quest IV|Dragon Quest IV ]]
* The American edition introduced the prologue showing [[Ortega]] battling a monster on a volcano. This prologue is also included in the Japanese remakes.
* The cross and coffin graphics are changed as in all the old Dragon Warrior games.
* The credit roll BGM has been extended to match the new longer credits.
* XP and gold drops are increased 25%, so that characters can level faster.
 
==== Super Nintendo remake ====
 
The graphics and command system were upgraded using [[Dragon Quest VI]] as a base. However, its AI system was not copied.
 
* As in the [[Dragon Quest I & II|first remake]], it is now possible to search inside pots, barrels, bookshelves, and the like.
* As in [[Dragon Quest VI]], it is now possible to climb into wells.
* The "[[Conversation memory|spells]]" associated with Dragon Quest VI's conversation recall system have been added.
* The bag was added. So the vault is now a bank; one cannot directly use items in the sack yet, however.
* There is now a character at the Tower of Dharma who can change the names of the characters (or even of the Bag).
* It is now possible to specify quantities when buying items at the item shop.
* Combat screens now have backdrops and monster animations; monsters also have more sound effects.
* There is now a Personality system, which assigns one of 45 personalities to each PC to determine stat growth when they level up. The protagonist's initial personality is determined by a "personality test" at the start of the game. Other PCs initial personalities are determined by the seedsused at their creation. Certain books and pieces of equipment can change a character's personality also.
* 5 [[Parchisi]] minigames were added to various locations.
* Stat increases depend on a character's gender.
* There is a new "Thief" class, as described in the classes section above.
* Merchants and Jesters can now gain MP when leveling; this is needed since they now gain some additional spells.
* As in [[Dragon Quest VI]], the special actions of the [[Jester]] class may now have special effects, such as healing the party.
* Female heroes now have different graphics, and a few dialogs are changed for them.
* There are also new dialogs in the case that the hero is not in the party, if the game has been completed.
* [[Ruida's Tavern]] can now save the game; this will be done automatically if the composition of the party is changed.
* As usual, boss monsters have had their HP upgraded compared to the original game. [[Boss Troll]]s no longer appear as wandering monsters in the endgame; the only one is the one in [[Samanao]].
* There is a [[bonus dungeon]] with 8 new types of monster, and a hidden boss.
* There are many new kinds of item. But it is no longer possible to obtain one item, although it still exists in the game data.
* Some weapon and armor shops have different items in stock. (EG, [[Samanao]] no longer sells dragon slayer swords.)
* The world map shows visited regions in color.
* Boomerangs and whips can now attack multiple enemies at once.
* [[Tiny Medals]] can now be collected, and given to the Medal king in the well in [[Aliahan]]. The system from [[Dragon Quest VI]] is used: prizes are given according to the total number of medals collected.
* Monsters drop different items at the end of a battle.
* The pyramid layout is slightly different.
* It is now possible to save the game in [[Portoga]], by speaking to the minister of state next to the king.
* Portoga and [[Baharata]] now have weapon shops.
* A [[bonus dungeon]] has been added; it contains a castle which is a new [[Zoom]] target.
* The location BGM is now remixed depending on the time of day.
* There are new tunes.
 
==== Gameboy Color remake ====
 
* It is now possible to collect [[Monster Medal]]s; these are shared across savefiles, and can be transferred to other Gameboys.
* Battle screens no longer have illustrated backgrounds, although monsters and spell effects are still animated.
* It is now possible to create a [[Field Log|temporary save]] anywhere, since the Gameboy might run out of batteries at any time.
* There is a second [[bonus dungeon]], the Ice caves. It contains boss monsters and mimics as wandering monsters, allowing the player to collect their monster medals. There is an additional hidden boss who will challenge the party to collect all the monster medals.
 
== Bugs ==
=== Original edition ===
* By selecting Parry in the combat menu, the damage a character takes in battle is cut in half, even if the player backs out and selects a different command. This bug is mentioned in the official guidebooks, but is fixed in the remakes.
* One can get a [[Leaf of the World Tree]] by searching in a square near Rimuldar. This square has the same coordinates as the World Tree grove in the overworld.
* Under certain circumstances, [[Metal slime]] monsters will take 10 points of damage instead of 1 or 2. <!-- Needs confirmation -->
* The level requirements for Wizards to learn [[Blizzard]] and Ice Spears are switched.
* Some stats cycle if they are raised above 255. This has been fixed in the remakes.
* It is possible to create a party of only deceased characters by exploiting the paralysis status condition.  This was first though to be only possible using the [[Dream Ruby]], but has since been proven possible using [[List of glitches in Dragon Quest III#Numb status glitch|paralysis induced by monsters]].  This glitch allows the manipulation of memory within the game, producing a wide range of effects and possibilities.
 
=== Game Boy Color remake ===
* There is an experience glitch associated with playing Pachisi. If the player lands on a space which reduces his/her strength, it is common that the next battle fought will cause the character's experience to skyrocket. Often this leads to the character being level 99 immediately. This glitch seems to be intentional, or at least acknowledged by the creators, as if you attempt to save at the King before the next battle, he says you have gained experience in "an unusual way" and "it will become clear to you in battle".
* There is a bug involving the YellHelp spell which summons a traveling merchant to the party on the overwolrd. It seems that the items sold by the merchant are the ones sold by the last permanent merchant encountered in the game. This scenario holds true across multiple save files, meaning a merchant from late in the game can be emulated in another save file by using the YellHelp spell.
 
==Spin-offs==
 
On top of being remade for both the Super Famicom and the GameBoy Color, Dragon Warrior III also inspired several mangas including [[Dai no Daibouken]] and [[The Emblem of Roto]].
 
==See also==
{{Wikipedia|Dragon Warrior III}}
{{Wikipedia-ja|ドラゴンクエストIII そして伝説へ…}}
 
 
==External links==
*[http://na.square-enix.com/games/dragon-warrior3/ Official ''Dragon Warrior III'' GBC Website]
 
 
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Latest revision as of 15:49, 19 March 2018