Yuji Horii, the visionary behind Dragon Quest, holds Final Fantasy X in high esteem, considering it the epitome of gaming perfection upon its 2001 release.
Yuji Horii’s Perspective
In a conversation with Game Informer, Horii delved into the creative journey of Dragon Quest, a franchise that once stood alongside Final Fantasy before the merger of Square and Enix. Although he didn’t view Final Fantasy as direct competition due to their distinct storytelling styles, he admitted to keeping a close watch on the series. According to Horii, “Way back then, when Final Fantasy originally came out, I was definitely paying attention to it because it was something we needed to look out for,” revealing the subtle differences he observed between the two franchises. “The protagonists in the Final Fantasy titles, they speak a lot. Whereas for Dragon Quest, the key objective for [the games], or the experience it offers for the player, is that the player becomes the protagonist themselves.”
Horii emphasized that, in Final Fantasy, players are more like observers of the protagonist’s journey, contrasting with Dragon Quest’s immersive player experience. This distinction, however, did not create a rivalry in his eyes.
Final Fantasy X: A Turning Point
The arrival of Final Fantasy X marked a shift in Horii’s perspective. “Final Fantasy, again, [the protagonists] just talk a lot,” he said, “I do like Final Fantasy, though. When I first saw Final Fantasy X, I recall feeling this was the ultimate perfection of Final Fantasy.“
Recent Releases and Updates
As a reminder, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake was launched at the end of October, receiving praise for its nostalgic charm and modern enhancements. Meanwhile, the gaming community eagerly anticipates Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3. Director Naoki Hamaguchi reassured fans that the next installment would “strike a balance” in pacing while ensuring no content is sacrificed, promising a more concise experience.
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