Why Final Fantasy’s Popularity in the West Overshadows Dragon Quest despite Equally Long Legacies
Of the two big properties owned by Square Enix: Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, only one widely resonates with western fans. Dragon Quest remains popular in Japan while performing modestly in the West. For anyone wondering why that is, Square Enix opened up on the matter in last month’s issue of EDGE.
One of the main reasons deals simply with past console availability in Japan vs the U.S.. Dragon Quest warmed to Japanese audiences with its appearance on the Famicom, Japan’s 80s home entertainment system. The interview transitions to how the original PlayStation’s western popularity synced with the rise of Final Fantasy via Final Fantasy VII. This “source of nostalgia,” as Executive Producer Yu Miyake calls it, inevitably set the course for Final Fantasy’s adoration over Dragon Quest.
But Miyake then attributed more reasons to cultural preference. Specifically, the way both audiences receive animation: One thing that does stand out: in Japan the target audience for Dragon Quest is vast. It ranges from primary school students to people in their 50s. Now, Akira Toriyama’s art style is cartoonish, and in Japan that doesn’t alienate anyone; it’s not seen as childish. But outside of Japan, I think there’s often a stigma attached to that kind of aesthetic.
Apparently, the Dragon Quest Final Fantasy disparity partially owes itself to difference in audience perception. Speaking beyond gaming, a casual observer might note how Japan retains its hand-drawn animation in film and TV. Meanwhile, countries like the U.S. have shifted heavily towards CGI. We might simply be witnessing acceptance as a result of practice. Miyake had more to say on the matter:
Now, when an adult tries the game, they will discover that the subject matter is actually quite mature. Nevertheless, players are still left with this disconnect between how the game looks and how it plays. That’s a tension that just doesn’t exist in Japan. What we’re seeing now is that the age of people who are playing is rising. Interest is also increasing. We’re trying to put a lot more effort into promoting overseas the spinoff titles we’ve been working on – Dragon Quest Builders and Dragon Quest Heroes – in order to soften up the ground for Dragon Quest XI.”
Of course, there’s loads more detail one can muster on the matter. If you’re looking for more on the EDGE interview, see sources below. Square Enix’s latest Final Fantasy XV is out now, with Dragon Quest XI on the way. Additionally, the hotly anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake will arrive no sooner than late 2017. For updates, be sure to keep up with COGconnected. Happy gaming.