Square Enix has released screenshots and details about exclusive features for the 3DS remake of Dragon Quest VIII

Dragon Quest VIII 3DS 17 IMAGES

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The 3DS game will follow the same story and world as the PS2 version, with new episodes focusing on the history of the villain, Dhoulmagus, and the protagonist’s childhood. Although the 3DS version will not support stereoscopic 3D , it will add other new elements at a later date, including StreetPass support.In the 3DS version, the soundtrack will be orchestrated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and it will be the first fully-voiced numbered entry in the Dragon Quest series.More details about Gerda and Morrie, two new party members previously revealed in promotional art , have also been confirmed. Gerda is a nimble thief and old friend of Yangus while Morrie, the owner of the Monster Arena and organizer of the Monster Battle Road, will fight by summoning monsters.Dragon Quest VIII for the 3DS is being released in Japan on August 27, 2015. There is still no official word if the 3DS version will get localized for other markets outside of Japan; let's hope for a localization announcement during Square Enix's E3 press conference

Erich Schuler is a freelance writer for IGN in Japan. When he's not doing plumbing in the Mushroom Kingdom or Hyrule grass cutting services, he's tweeting on Twitter