Square Enix just pulled a surprise move that has fans of cult classic JRPGs buzzing with anticipation. The publisher quietly released the complete Drakengard 3 soundtrack on Steam and other digital platforms this week, and nobody saw it coming. For anyone familiar with how these things usually work, random soundtrack drops often precede bigger announcements. Remember when NieR Replicant got the remake treatment? Yeah, the pattern is starting to look familiar.
The Soundtrack Drop Nobody Expected
On December 17, 2025, Square Enix Music quietly made the Drakengard 3 Original Soundtrack available on Steam, Spotify, and Apple Music. The timing feels deliberate, especially considering that Square Enix released the Drakengard 1 soundtrack back in September 2025. Skipping Drakengard 2 makes sense when you consider that the second game wasn’t directed by Yoko Taro and doesn’t fit into the official Drakengard-NieR timeline that fans obsess over.
The soundtrack features music composed by several artists for the 2013 PlayStation 3 exclusive action RPG. It includes everything from the haunting battle themes to the infamous final boss music that still gives players nightmares. For those who never played the original, Drakengard 3 was known for its dark storytelling, mature themes, and technical issues that plagued the PS3 version with constant frame rate drops.
Why This Matters for Remake Speculation
Here’s where things get interesting. Square Enix has been on a remake spree lately, breathing new life into older titles from their catalog. The most relevant example is NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139, which launched in 2021. That project took the Japan-exclusive PS3 game and completely overhauled it with modern visuals, revamped combat supervised by PlatinumGames, and quality-of-life improvements that made it feel like a brand new experience.
NieR and Drakengard share the same creative DNA, both coming from the twisted mind of director Yoko Taro. The NieR series actually started as a spin-off from one of Drakengard’s multiple endings. Given that NieR Replicant’s remake was successful both critically and commercially, it makes perfect business sense for Square Enix to consider giving similar treatment to Drakengard 3, especially since it desperately needs it.
The Game That Needs a Second Chance
Drakengard 3 launched in 2013 exclusively for PlayStation 3, and it was rough around the edges. The game featured an intriguing story about Zero, a woman on a mission to kill her five sisters, each named after a number. The narrative was vintage Yoko Taro, full of dark themes, philosophical questions, and characters that defied typical JRPG stereotypes. The dialogue could be vulgar and shocking, contrasting sharply with the fantasy setting and violent combat.
But here’s the problem. The game suffered from brutal technical issues. Frame rates regularly dropped to single digits during combat, making it nearly unplayable at times. Loading times were excessive, and the overall polish just wasn’t there. Critics recognized the ambitious storytelling but couldn’t overlook the technical shortcomings. A remake or remaster could fix these issues while preserving the weird, wonderful story that Yoko Taro crafted.
The Dusk Golem Connection
Adding fuel to the speculation fire, industry insider Dusk Golem (also known as AestheticGamer) hinted back in September that a Drakengard announcement was coming soon. At the time, Dusk Golem suggested that the Drakengard 1 soundtrack release was tied to an upcoming reveal, possibly at a State of Play or Tokyo Game Show event. While nothing materialized then, the Drakengard 3 soundtrack drop keeps those rumors alive.
Square Enix has been methodically releasing soundtracks from various franchises through their music division. Recent releases include soundtracks from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, NieR Re[in]carnation, and multiple entries in the SaGa series. The pattern suggests a coordinated effort to build awareness around older properties, potentially softening the ground for bigger announcements.
What a Drakengard 3 Remake Could Look Like
If Square Enix follows the NieR Replicant playbook, a Drakengard 3 remake would sit somewhere between a full remake and a remaster. Expect significantly improved visuals bringing the game up to current-generation standards on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The combat system would need a complete overhaul, possibly with input from PlatinumGames or another studio experienced in action gameplay.
Technical performance would be the top priority. Stable frame rates at 60fps, drastically reduced loading times thanks to SSD technology, and general optimization would transform the experience. The infamous final boss, a brutal rhythm game sequence that players either love or hate, could benefit from refinements while maintaining its challenging nature that Yoko Taro intended.
Additional content would likely be included, such as expanded story elements, new costumes, and perhaps even new endings. The voice acting could be re-recorded with the original cast if available, and the already excellent soundtrack would get a full orchestral treatment. Accessibility options and quality-of-life features like chapter select and difficulty options would make the game more approachable for newcomers.
FAQs
When was the Drakengard 3 soundtrack released on Steam?
Square Enix released the Drakengard 3 Original Soundtrack on Steam, Spotify, and Apple Music on December 17, 2025. The release came without any prior announcement or marketing.
What is Drakengard 3 about?
Drakengard 3 is an action RPG that follows Zero, a woman determined to kill her five sisters who are known as Intoners. The game features dark storytelling, mature themes, and multiple endings that connect to the larger Drakengard-NieR universe.
Who created Drakengard 3?
Drakengard 3 was directed by Yoko Taro, the creative mind behind the NieR series. The game was developed by Access Games and published by Square Enix exclusively for PlayStation 3 in 2013.
Why do people think a remake is coming?
The sudden soundtrack release mirrors Square Enix’s strategy with other properties. They released the Drakengard 1 soundtrack earlier in 2025, and previous industry rumors from insider Dusk Golem suggested a Drakengard announcement was imminent. Additionally, the successful remake of NieR Replicant established a template for reviving older Yoko Taro games.
What platforms was Drakengard 3 originally released on?
Drakengard 3 was released exclusively for PlayStation 3 in 2013. It has never been ported to other platforms, making it one of the few Yoko Taro games that remains locked to a single console generation.
What were the main problems with Drakengard 3?
The biggest issue was severe performance problems, with frame rates frequently dropping to single digits during combat. The game also suffered from long loading times, repetitive mission design, and technical polish issues that overshadowed its ambitious storytelling.
How is Drakengard 3 connected to NieR?
Drakengard and NieR exist in the same multiverse. The NieR series began as a spin-off from one of the endings in the original Drakengard. While Drakengard 3 is a prequel to Drakengard 1, its various endings explore alternate timelines that eventually connect to the events leading into the NieR games.
Conclusion
While Square Enix hasn’t officially announced anything beyond the soundtrack release, the signs are pointing in an interesting direction. The publisher has shown they’re willing to invest in reviving older Yoko Taro games, and Drakengard 3 is arguably the one that needs it most. The original game had brilliant ideas held back by technical limitations of the PlayStation 3 era. With modern hardware and development techniques, a remake could finally deliver the experience Yoko Taro envisioned back in 2013. For now, fans can enjoy the excellent soundtrack while keeping their fingers crossed that this is just the first step toward a full-fledged announcement. Whether it happens at the next State of Play, during Summer Game Fest, or at another major gaming event, one thing is certain: the Drakengard community is watching closely, and they’re ready to return to this dark, twisted universe.