Yuji Horii Explains the Core Difference Between Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii has once again shared what he believes sets his series apart from Final Fantasy. Although both franchises grew during the same era, he explained that their foundations were built on very different ideas.

Dragon Quest vs. Final Fantasy: A Fundamental Difference

Horii said in an interview that he never viewed Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy as direct rivals. Even so, he followed the Final Fantasy series closely to see how it evolved. During that time, he noticed one major contrast.

Final Fantasy heroes talked to each other, so players watched their story unfold from the outside. Meanwhile, Dragon Quest featured a silent protagonist, allowing players to step into the role themselves. Because of this, Horii felt Dragon Quest offered a more personal style of role-playing.

Why the Silent Protagonist Matters

Horii explained that the hero’s silence was intentional. Since the player was meant to become the protagonist, the character should not speak independently. As a result, Dragon Quest shaped scenes around the player’s imagination, while Final Fantasy relied on dialogue and cinematic storytelling. Even though the two series chose different paths, Horii said both approaches created strong identities that resonated with fans.

Horii’s Favourite Final Fantasy

Despite their differences, Horii made it clear that he appreciates Final Fantasy. He said his favourite entry is Final Fantasy X. When he first played it, he felt the game delivered “the ultimate perfection of Final Fantasy.”

A Historic Honour for Yuji Horii

Earlier this month, Horii received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. The Japanese government awarded him the honour for his long-standing contributions to the industry.

Importantly, he is the first game designer to receive the award. Through Armor Project, Horii has worked on every mainline Dragon Quest title since 1986 and still co-owns the series with Square Enix.

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