Dragon Quest, the storied role-playing game series developed by Square Enix, has carved a distinctive legacy on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and beyond for nearly four decades.
The franchise, helmed by renowned creator Yuji Horii since its inception, stands as one of the most iconic pillars in the Japanese RPG (JRPG) genre.
In a recent interview, Horii provided valuable insight into the creative philosophy behind Dragon Quest and candidly compared it with its industry counterpart, Final Fantasy—a comparison often discussed by fans and critics alike. Yuji Horii, regarded as a visionary in video game development, recalls that when Final Fantasy was first released, he closely observed the series, recognizing the importance of understanding what competing titles brought to the gaming landscape.
“At that time, when Final Fantasy made its debut, I was certainly paying attention because it was something significant within our field,” Horii stated.
His approach, however, was never adversarial.
Instead, Horii clarified that he did not view Final Fantasy as a direct competitor in those formative years. Discussing the core differences between the two franchises, Horii highlighted the way player identity is handled.
According to the creator, protagonists in Final Fantasy titles tend to be more vocal and defined, often serving as characters to observe rather than to embody.
"The protagonists in Final Fantasy speak frequently and have their own distinct personalities.
In contrast, Dragon Quest is designed so that the player themselves becomes the hero, experiencing the world through their own choices," Horii explained.
This design philosophy, focused on making the player the central character, remains central to the enduring appeal of the Dragon Quest series. Horii further elaborated, mentioning that in Dragon Quest games, protagonists do not act or speak independently.
This approach is intended to foster immersion, enabling each player to project themselves into the story.
“Unlike in Final Fantasy, where protagonists engage in extensive dialogue, Dragon Quest allows the player to naturally inhabit the role of the hero without predefined speech,” he remarked. While Horii admires the Final Fantasy series for its narrative achievements, he clearly distinguishes the foundational ethos of Dragon Quest.
He fondly recalled experiencing Final Fantasy X, describing it as an impressive accomplishment and a pinnacle of storytelling within its franchise. Released originally in 1986, Dragon Quest has consistently set sales records in Japan and maintained a steady presence worldwide, including on the Nintendo Switch and eShop in recent years.
Square Enix, the publisher behind both Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, continues to celebrate Horii’s vision as the series thrives amid modern gaming trends and remains a highlight of Nintendo Direct presentations. Horii’s insights underscore why Dragon Quest maintains a unique position in the RPG genre.
By prioritizing player agency and immersive storytelling, the franchise distinguishes itself from its contemporaries and continues to forge new paths for future generations of gamers.
The franchise, helmed by renowned creator Yuji Horii since its inception, stands as one of the most iconic pillars in the Japanese RPG (JRPG) genre.
In a recent interview, Horii provided valuable insight into the creative philosophy behind Dragon Quest and candidly compared it with its industry counterpart, Final Fantasy—a comparison often discussed by fans and critics alike. Yuji Horii, regarded as a visionary in video game development, recalls that when Final Fantasy was first released, he closely observed the series, recognizing the importance of understanding what competing titles brought to the gaming landscape.
“At that time, when Final Fantasy made its debut, I was certainly paying attention because it was something significant within our field,” Horii stated.
His approach, however, was never adversarial.
Instead, Horii clarified that he did not view Final Fantasy as a direct competitor in those formative years. Discussing the core differences between the two franchises, Horii highlighted the way player identity is handled.
According to the creator, protagonists in Final Fantasy titles tend to be more vocal and defined, often serving as characters to observe rather than to embody.
"The protagonists in Final Fantasy speak frequently and have their own distinct personalities.
In contrast, Dragon Quest is designed so that the player themselves becomes the hero, experiencing the world through their own choices," Horii explained.
This design philosophy, focused on making the player the central character, remains central to the enduring appeal of the Dragon Quest series. Horii further elaborated, mentioning that in Dragon Quest games, protagonists do not act or speak independently.
This approach is intended to foster immersion, enabling each player to project themselves into the story.
“Unlike in Final Fantasy, where protagonists engage in extensive dialogue, Dragon Quest allows the player to naturally inhabit the role of the hero without predefined speech,” he remarked. While Horii admires the Final Fantasy series for its narrative achievements, he clearly distinguishes the foundational ethos of Dragon Quest.
He fondly recalled experiencing Final Fantasy X, describing it as an impressive accomplishment and a pinnacle of storytelling within its franchise. Released originally in 1986, Dragon Quest has consistently set sales records in Japan and maintained a steady presence worldwide, including on the Nintendo Switch and eShop in recent years.
Square Enix, the publisher behind both Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, continues to celebrate Horii’s vision as the series thrives amid modern gaming trends and remains a highlight of Nintendo Direct presentations. Horii’s insights underscore why Dragon Quest maintains a unique position in the RPG genre.
By prioritizing player agency and immersive storytelling, the franchise distinguishes itself from its contemporaries and continues to forge new paths for future generations of gamers.
