If you’ve ever played the 2D, browser-based RPG called AdventureQuest, then you might want to check out AdventureQuest 3D. The mobile MMO is a sequel to the old classic and brings back everything you loved from the original. It integrates all of the familiar elements you love about MMOs, including classes, world exploration, fantasy, and more. Moreover, it’s also a cross-platform mobile game, allowing you to play on almost any device. Is it the same as the original? Let’s find out.
What Is AdventureQuest 3D?
AdventureQuest 3D is a massively multiplayer online RPG (MMORPG) that comes as a sequel to the original AdventureQuest. It features many staples of the MMORPG genre, including various classes, a vast fantasy world, mythical creatures, and magic.
At first glance, AdventureQuest 3D might seem like your regular MMORPG. However, there are tons of little features sprinkled within the game that makes it unique from others. For example, while you do play as a fictional, class-based character, you’re not limited to only one class. That’s because the game allows you to choose and switch between classes on the fly.
Hence, you’re never limited to a single class or a certain set of abilities for all your battles moving forward. You can be more flexible with your strategies when facing different opponents, utilizing the various unlocked classes available to you.
In addition, one of the most prominent features of AdventureQuest 3D is also its cross-platform compatibility. Some might even say that it’s one of the best cross-platform games to date. It’s available on iOS, Android, and desktop.
Despite being available on desktop, the game still puts tons of emphasis on giving mobile players a good gameplay experience. It’s not one of the best MMORPGs on mobile for nothing. Some optimizations for mobile players include the convenient party system that the developers implemented. You’re always just two taps away from summoning a friend or being summoned yourself.
On the other hand, AdventureQuest 3D is also the ideal game to play while you’re out and about. The developer intentionally designed it to be playable through short sessions. Lastly, unlike the original game, AdventureQuest 3D features a real-time multiplayer combat system, replacing the old turn-based single-player combat.
Main Features of AdventureQuest 3D
- Cross-platform Gameplay. Play on Android, iOS, or through a desktop.
- Non-Limited Classes. You can switch between unlocked classes at any time.
- Convenient Party System. Form parties with friends or summon other players anytime without worrying over levels or time differences.
- Real-Time Battle Mechanics. Simple mechanics to help defeat monsters in real-time.
- Fusing Weapons And Armor. You can fuse and combine items like weapons and armor to boost their power and utility.
Development and History of AdventureQuest 3D
AdventureQuest was a wildly popular flash-based game when it was released in the early 2000s. However, despite being widely praised, many fans of the game criticized it for the lack of multiplayer interaction. It remained firm as a single-player game which left many craving for the same experience but with a multiplayer feature.
Fast forward to 2015, Atrix Entertainment, the indie studio responsible for AdventureQuest, finally launched a multiplayer sequel to the game. It was called AdventureQuest 3D and it launched on Kickstarter back in November 2015. The game aimed to raise $200,000 to get to completion and released an open beta version a year later.
Of course, AdventureQuest is still active even today and you can certainly play it through the Atrix Games Launcher. On the other hand, you can also play it through flash on the web. However, AdventureQuest 3D is also a great way to experience AdventureQuest’s fantasy world if you want to play on mobile. Moreover, its 3D graphics, MMO mechanics, and upgraded gameplay are an experience of their own.
AdventureQuest 3D Review
Fans of the original AdventureQuest might come in this game with tons of expectations. That’s understandable considering how it created an army of loyal fans who were willing to back the sequel’s Kickstarter campaign. Is AdventureQuest 3D anything like the original and is it worth playing? Here’s what you need to know.
Player Character and Classes
Like the original game, AdventureQuest 3D is set in a medieval fantasy world called the land of Lore. As such, players play as heroes who need to protect what remains of humanity, called Battleon, from evil. Of course, it’s a somewhat generic premise for an MMORPG, but it plays its role well.
You’re given one chance to create your hero when you first launch the game, so make sure to choose wisely. When you create your character, you can customize several different features. These include preset options for gender, hair, hair color, skin color, and name.
However, this is the only limiting factor when it comes to character creation. That’s because your character can switch between various unlocked classes so you won’t feel stifled by your role. However, all players start with three basic classes and have to unlock the rest. These include Warrior, Rogue, and Mage. On the other hand, you can also buy a premium class, called Guardian, if you have the money.
Overall, the character creation process in AdventureQuest 3D is a bit more streamlined than AdventureQuest. There’s no alignment system where you choose between good and evil or unity and chaos. Hence, there’s also no special equipment that changes based on your alignment. You play as the hero of this world and that’s that.
Cut Scenes and Tutorials
MMORPGs like AdventureQuest 3D tend to have long-winded tutorials thanks to the genre’s, more often than not, convoluted gameplay mechanics. In this case, you’ll get those tutorials right away after you create your character.
However, it’s not simply gameplay tutorials for controls, systems, and mechanics. That’s because AdventureQuest 3D includes tons of cutscenes to ease you into the game’s story and world. They’re hilarious, by the way, and make for an awesome start to an otherwise boring entry.
On the other hand, the tutorial part itself doesn’t feel like a regular tutorial. That’s because AdventureQuest 3D mostly leaves you to figure the game out for yourself. It skips the whole playable tutorial mandated by MMO law. Hence, you’ll probably get to know the game as you sink your teeth into it and progress.
Thankfully, the controls themselves are pretty simple and easy to use, so it doesn’t take much to learn them. If you’ve already played an MMORPG before, then chances are you’ll easily get a good grasp of the controls.
With that said, the game doesn’t provide much guidance and doesn’t even give you a map. This makes AdventureQuest 3D a little confusing when you first begin and you can easily get lost.
The Grind
AdventureQuest 3D drops the kind of gameplay you see in AdventureQuest and plays like most other MMORPGs. Once you get into its world, you’re presented with a plethora of things to do. You can, of course, continue the main quest line and follow the game’s primary narrative. On the other hand, you can also find the random adventures that the developers have so generously sprinkled about.
In addition, since the game starts you off with nothing, you’re also encouraged to grind for resources. That’s why there are also tons of odd jobs that you can play to bolster your resources and inventory.
Unfortunately, where AdventureQuest 3D and AdventureQuest are alike are in terms of their faults and pitfalls. That’s because, like the original game, AdventureQuest 3D can feel like a huge grind. You have to do tons of repetitive grindy actions just to get certain items, fulfill quests, and finish tasks. It’s reminiscent of the constant need to replay fights just to get a proper weapon in AdventureQuest.
Of course, the developers of AdventureQuest 3D kept the grind because the game is available for free. Thankfully, however, the gameplay is simple enough to power through the grindy parts if you’re determined to get the payoffs.
On a different note, AdventureQuest 3D seems to have retained AdventureQuest’s sense of humor throughout the game. Fans of the original would know that it’s become somewhat of a signature that Atrix Entertainment has become known for. Likewise, AdventureQuest 3D also employs the same kind of humor throughout the world and its NPCs.
Thankfully, it’s a good way to cut through the monotony of the grind, regardless of how soul-sucking they can be. Despite the world being under constant threat from evil forces, it sure keeps that sense of whimsy.
Progression
Unfortunately, progressing through the game takes time despite all of the hours you spend grinding for resources. Even getting to level five can take you up to two hours. Like AdventureQuest, leveling up in AdventureQuest 3D boosts your stats. Moreover, it can also provide you with better equipment if you’re successful.
In AdventureQuest 3D, killing enemies like mobs gets you experience points and gold, much like AdventureQuest. However, it’s not necessarily going to be easy, especially if you haven’t spent time grinding to increase your resources. You should expect to die multiple times in this game before you can progress.
Content and Events
Of course, what would an MMO be without constant updates and new content? Thankfully, AdventureQuest 3D also provides multiple events depending on the season. There are in-game holidays, just like AdventureQuest, that reflect real-world holidays. The towns and world change and add snow, flowers, or falling petals depending on when you play.
On the other hand, AdventureQuest 3D is also filled with tons of DLCs that release almost weekly. Hence, you should never get bored of the monotony of the game and have something to constantly chew on. That is if you can withstand the game’s other grindy aspects.
In-Game Currency and In-App Purchases
Like AdventureQuest, AdventureQuest 3D has an in-game currency that provides you benefits you otherwise wouldn’t have without purchasing anything. Moreover, the two games are pretty similar in this aspect, especially when it comes to Guardianship.
In AdventureQuest, players could pay a one-time fee and gain access to premium content, including the Guardian Tower. That is a mechanic that AdventureQuest 3D has adopted right into its core. Like the original, AdventureQuest 3D provides players with the option to purchase the premium Guardian class. This gives access to the Guardian Tower and unlocks special quests and unique items, such as armor and weapons.
On the other hand, AdventureQuest 3D also gives players the option to purchase Dragon Coins with real money. You can use these to buy weapons, armor, and other gear to skip the hassle of crafting. Some might argue that this makes the game pay-to-win, but it isn’t really. This just gives players who are willing to spend money an edge in terms of progression.
Graphics and Sound
AdventureQuest had a distinctly cartoony art style when it was first released. With AdventureQuest 3D, you get the same kind of vibe but with 3D graphics. The art style is bright and vibrant, akin to something like an old Zelda game. You might even compare its graphics and visuals to something like Ocarina of Time.
The low-poly graphics and simple art style are certainly reminiscent of older 3D games. It could feel nostalgic for fans of the original AdventureQuest. However, it’s not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing game to look at. At the very least, the rendering on AdventureQuest 3D is a bit better than older 3D games.
Nonetheless, the developers had to cut some corners to make sure the game wasn’t too graphically intensive. Otherwise, the game would be too taxing on lower-end smartphones. However, playing on a high-end (or mid-tier) gaming PC might feel underwhelming, especially if you’re used to polished AAA graphics.
The sound design isn’t anything special, either. While the art can get a pass because of AdventureQuest’s signature style, we can’t say the same about the music. Overall, it’s nothing particularly special — some might even say it’s generic and bland.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Of course, one of the best parts of AdventureQuest 3D is that it’s compatible across multiple platforms. Hence, you can play it on your mobile device, whether Android or iOS. Moreover, you can play it on your phone or a tablet comfortably because of the optimized controls.
On the other hand, you can also play AdventureQuest 3D on a PC or Mac. That’s because the game is available on Steam, making it free to play on either platform. Furthermore, you can also jump between devices to continue your gameplay wherever you are. You can play on your computer at home when you’re up for longer gameplay sessions. If you need to go out, you can pull out your smartphone and play it there to pass the time.
Device Compatibility and Requirements
Cross-compatibility is rare for MMORPGs like AdventureQuest 3D, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. The largest barrier to making it cross-compatible was keeping the game small enough to be playable on mobile. Thankfully, the developers thought ahead and made sure that AdventureQuest 3D could run on both PC and mobile.
They did this by making sure that AdventureQuest 3D wouldn’t be particularly resource-intensive. It only takes up 54 MB of your hard drive so it doesn’t eat up too much storage. The lower graphics play a huge role in this and the developers thought the trade-off was worth it. As a result, you can play AdventureQuest 3D even on lower-end mobile phones with 32 GB of storage.
On the other hand, the game is also playable on the PC. While there might be less of a problem here, you do need a somewhat capable machine to run AdventureQuest 3D. You’d at least need a Dual Core 1.8GHZ or Single Core 3.0GHZ CPU to run it. Moreover, the game can only run if you at least have 1 GB of RAM, 500 MB of available storage, and a 512 video card. You should also have at least Windows 7 installed — anything older won’t work.
Of course, it would be much better if you had a Dual Core 2.66GHZ to run the game smoothly. Moreover, Windows 10, a 1GB video card, 2 GB of RAM, and 1 GB of hard disk space are preferable.
AdventureQuest 3D Verdict
AdventureQuest 3D has both similarities and differences to the original AdventureQuest. There are tons of similar elements including the world, art style, currency mechanics, and even the game’s grindy nature. However, the gameplay itself is slightly different from AdventureQuest. For example, AdventureQuest 3D features a real-time combat system that replaced the original’s turn-based gameplay mechanic.
With that said, regardless of the similarities or differences, AdventureQuest 3D is a decent game for MMORPG fans. That’s especially true if you like the idea of continuing your progress on your phone while on the go. However, it does have its deterrents, especially the long grind, less polished art style, and sound design. If you’re a fan of the original, it might be worth a shot. However, there are also much better MMORPGs on mobile if you can do without the cross-compatibility.
