Square Enix Finally Removes Denuvo From This 2024 Iconic Remaster

By Nathalie Duke Gaming News
25 May 2025 1 comment

Square Enix removes Denuvo from DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake, sparking praise from gamers and fueling the DRM debate.

Few topics in the gaming world spark as much heated debate as Denuvo. On paper, it’s a digital rights management solution meant to curb piracy. But in practice, many gamers see it as a performance-killing nuisance. Over the years, Denuvo has earned a notorious reputation for allegedly degrading frame rates, increasing CPU usage, and generally interfering with the player experience. While some defend it as a necessary evil to protect developer investments, the majority of gamers have come to resent it.

That resentment has evolved into action. Increasingly, players are refusing to buy games that come bundled with Denuvo. For many, it’s a deal-breaker, no matter how beloved the franchise or how polished the gameplay. This growing pushback has made DRM one of the most divisive issues in the industry, and developers have taken notice.

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake No Longer Has Denuvo

Among the standout remakes of 2024 was DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake. With its signature blend of pixel art and modern lighting effects, it was poised to be a major nostalgic win for fans. But just two weeks before launch, Square Enix announced that the game will have Denuvo. The reaction was swift and negative. Many longtime fans expressed disappointment, and some opted to skip the release entirely.

Now, Square Enix has made an unexpected yet welcome move. The company has officially removed Denuvo from DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake. The change, made roughly six months after launch, is being seen as a victory for consumers. Reactions online have been overwhelmingly positive.

In a broader discussion about the implications of such removals, some gamers have highlighted an interesting aspect of game preservation. One gamer pointed out that removing Denuvo half a year after release actually benefits the preservation community. When games are finally cracked, they often miss out on crucial updates and patches.

In many cases, older pirated versions remain outdated due to lack of interest or difficulty in maintaining patch availability. However, once Denuvo is lifted, pirated versions can be distributed with all patches intact, offering a more complete experience. This ensures better preservation and reduces the risk of important updates being lost.

Square Enix has been notably consistent in reevaluating the use of Denuvo across its catalog. The publisher has already removed the DRM from numerous titles including The Diofield Chronicle, Valkyrie Elysium, Triangle Strategy, Live A Live, Forspoken, and both Octopath Traveler and its sequel. The most recent ones are Star Ocean: The Second Story R and Final Fantasy 16.

With DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake now joining that list, it seems Square Enix may have locked down on its long-term strategy with DRM. Release with it, then lift 6 months after. Sounds like a win-win!

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Nathalie Duke

Sending some gaming news your way from a surfing paradise island. Loves creating content, and researching informative facts and useless trivia. A novice in the gaming industry but a veteran in communications and publication.