Japan always evokes an exotic world, filled with samurais, respect, honor, and a unique culture. When this general and dreamy vision translates to video games, a product they didn’t invent but perfected and polished thanks to Japanese craftsmen, for many, the first memory of a Japanese game is framed in the 32-bit era with the original PlayStation as the pinnacle. While video games weren’t created at that time, it marked the expansion and the beginning of visibility for the companies producing them and the creators developing them. During this time, Squaresoft and Enix became legendary, a must-visit for many pilgrims who wouldn’t miss any of their creations.
Fate led to the merger of these two companies, something once deemed impossible, to release their highly demanded creations under a single brand. Time marched on, and both companies delighted players, mainly with Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest as their flagships. They even expanded by collaborating with foreign developers like Eidos and Crystal Dynamics. Yes, Square Enix was the home of Lara Croft until not too long ago. However, this giant has lost the solid confidence it once held unchallenged. Having reliable sources of enjoyment is fundamental. If you don’t want to be deceived, Roulette Online. The problem is that in recent years, the company seems to lack a clear direction or understanding of what they need to do to find their place. I propose exploring a path they haven’t given enough importance to: Dragon Quest.
A Vast, Underutilized Brand
For the general public, the first Dragon Quest they might have enjoyed would be the eighth installment, “Journey of the Cursed King.” A classic of the genre, it had everything a Dragon Quest game typically offers: a charming story, well-defined characters, turn-based combat that presents a challenge even in random encounters outside dungeons, Akira Toriyama’s legendary designs, and Koichi Sugiyama’s soundtracks. An incredible hit.
This game, which appeared on PS2, was followed by an installment for the Nintendo DS. Note that Dragon Quest always released on the best-selling consoles, with a less lively development that made it tougher for players. The next main game was online, and the latest, “Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age,” initially came out in 2019. An incredible product that redefined not just the saga but the very concept of the Japanese RPG.
Some days ago, Square Enix has been released 2D remake of “Dragon Quest III. It looks spectacular, but as you can see, this is a brand that, on a principal level, could be more fully exploited with major products. Doing so would help Square improve its economy and, most importantly, focus on the titles they truly excel at. I don’t want them to stop experimenting with smaller games that might one day become the next Dragon Quest, but they have room to give this saga more shine without compromising the quality of their releases. This would give them more stability, reduce dependency on Final Fantasy, and allow for greater creativity with their major licenses and new creations.
Imagining a Future with More Dragon Quest
No player wants overexploitation of their favorite sagas—not in Dragon Quest. This isn’t Call of Duty, and fortunately, it never will be. Imagine if Enix could release a major Dragon Quest installment every 5-6 years or so, but this grand game was accompanied by remakes of previous installments that Western audiences haven’t enjoyed as they should. Remember, the eighth installment was really the first expansive game of the saga. Additionally, they could release more experimental spin-offs that develop the RPG genre under different parameters, potentially competing with the main installments in the future (I’m aware of the existence of such games, but honestly, they could do better). This would result in more solid lines within the company and more safety nets that would allow the creation of more pathways.
That’s the essence of this entire text: generating connections with more products through a vital artery like Dragon Quest.
