Why is the Dragon Quest series so popular in Japan but seemingly no where else?

[NeoStar9X]

I've wondered about this for a while. Does anyone know why (or perhaps know of an article that explains why or at least tries to and addresses this ) the Dragon Quest video game series is so insanely popular in Japan yet seemingly no where else?

Is there something about these games that appeal very specifically to the Japanese audience that is possibly being lost in translation when it's released outside of the Japan? Is it the art style? Etc?

[2-4-5_Trioxin]

Really the first DQ game was the first real console RPG and the japanesse ate it up so it became like a iconic thing to them, kind of like how final fantasy is to use since it was our first real big time RPG (even though wizardry and ultima had come out long before ff series).

Up till it came out all you had were like pc based rpg games which never really caught on or got widespread especially over there, but with something like the nes console where a far greater amount of people had one and much easier to get and use DQ was the first real rpg on it and they just loved it. So everytime one comes out giant lines form infront of stores to get it, hell I think DQ5 remake sold like over a million there in just a couple days. It just became part of their gaming culture.

[Xero Kaiser]

I've wondered about this for a while. Does anyone know why (or perhaps know of an article that explains why or at least tries to and addresses this ) the Dragon Quest video game series is so insanely popular in Japan yet seemingly no where else?

Is there something about these games that appeal very specifically to the Japanese audience that is possibly being lost in translation when it's released outside of the Japan? Is it the art style? Etc?

DQ plays like outdated ass. It's just that nobody else has any nostalgic, "OMFG ITZ DQ!!!!!!!!!" covering that fact up.

Kinda like people who snatch up every Madden regardless of how good or bad it is just because it's Madden.

[Wesley Dodds]

Well, since I'm playing Dragon Quest IV right now...

- Great music and art design: Koichi Sugiyama's score is fantastic. Akira Toriyama divides people because he's been overexposed, but his designs contribute a lot to the experience.

- The gameplay is non-threatening -- if you die you get to keep all of the items and exp gained. The game holds your hand. Victory is always possible.

- There's a constant sense of risk -- when you have a random encounter you have to evaluate the threat and decide whether to risk combat or flee. Chance plays a big role -- but because failure isn't that punishing the experience never becomes frustrating.

- The continuity of the experience -- Sugiyama and Toriyama always return. Dragon Quest games may not be that great, but they're consistently good -- gaming comfort food. The games play this up by always having the same 8-bit sound effects. If you've played one of the older games it's hard not to get a buzz from hearing the same old sound effects in one of the newer games.

- The RPG experience is highly structured -- I don't know how much truth there is in the stereotype, but in general Americans want a freer Fallout-type experience and Japanese people want a more on-rails experience.

In short, Dragon Quest is McDonalds. It may not be that good for you but it tastes good and you can be sure you're always going to get the same thing.

For what it's worth, I'm really enjoying Dragon Quest IV, mainly because of the simplicity of the experience. I'm not sure if I'll play V and VI when they come out (it's supposed to be a trilogy) because the experience is too simple... And, frankly, the game mechanics make it feel like playing a slot machine. All I'm doing is pressing a button and getting a reward.

[jdwrocks]

DQ plays like outdated ass. It's just that nobody else has any nostalgic, "OMFG ITZ DQ!!!!!!!!!" covering that fact up.

Kinda like people who snatch up every Madden regardless of how good or bad it is just because it's Madden.
That's your opinion, but I loved DQ 8. It was one of my favorite RPG's ever. Epic story, beautiful cel graphics. Simplistic combat, yes, but fun nonetheless.

[2-4-5_Trioxin]

That's your opinion, but I loved DQ 8. It was one of my favorite RPG's ever. Epic story, beautiful cel graphics. Simplistic combat, yes, but fun nonetheless.

I liked it alot to, my only real complaint is it felt way to linear even for a story based rpg. I felt like I was only going where the game wanted me to, like I was always being pushed in certain directions, no exploration. Even the weapons and items were sparse and felt very staged. The world felt confined and limited.

I still enjoyed it though. Dragon warrior 2 is still my favorite.

[jdwrocks]

I liked it alot to, my only real complaint is it felt way to linear even for a story based rpg. I felt like I was only going where the game wanted me to, like I was always being pushed in certain directions, no exploration. Even the weapons and items were sparse and felt very staged. The world felt confined and limited.

I still enjoyed it though. Dragon warrior 2 is still my favorite.
Sure the main story was linear, but let's face it most console RPG's are. I enjoyed the side quests a ton. Like the monster arena or whatever it was called. Plus the gathering of items to use to make items in Toads wagon was fun. I think DQ just like Wild Arms (my favorite RPG series by far) was stymied by the FF hype. Which is a shame, because I felt there was a big enough market for several RPG franchises in the U.S.

[Supreme78]

That's your opinion, but I loved DQ 8. It was one of my favorite RPG's ever. Epic story, beautiful cel graphics. Simplistic combat, yes, but fun nonetheless.

I totally agree. I am loving the redo of 4 on the DS, and look forward to 5 and 6 as well.

There is another DQ game due out in the future for the Wii I think... here's hoping it is also sweet. We need more good RPGs.

[2-4-5_Trioxin]

Sure the main story was linear, but let's face it most console RPG's are. I enjoyed the side quests a ton. Like the monster arena or whatever it was called. Plus the gathering of items to use to make items in Toads wagon was fun. I think DQ just like Wild Arms (my favorite RPG series by far) was stymied by the FF hype. Which is a shame, because I felt there was a big enough market for several RPG franchises in the U.S.

Yeah but I still thought it was more so than others. You didnt have to figure out anything, search for anything, no side quests, it was just mindless "you go here and do this, now go there and do that". You even got weapons and armor exactly when you should and almost always with no effort could afford all your upgrades when you found them. No freedom to me or a sense of being on a adventure.

Even the older DW games you could go tons of places, it felt bigger, alot of side places you could go and test your metal to get a cool weapon you could only get there. Or like final fantasy 2 and 3 felt like big games with alot of freedom even though they were linear to.

[Xero Kaiser]

-The game holds your hand.

- There's a constant sense of risk

Does not compute

[Wesley Dodds]

Does not compute

When you die you lose half your gold -- if you're saving for a new weapon that's inconvenient. But you get to keep any exp you earned so you haven't completely wasted your time.

[Lester C.]

Graphics, score, aesthetical presentation matters much more here than it does in Japan and Dragon Quest's first six games have been very behind in this regard. I still recomend the ones localized here though as they are all very fun games even if the game released on the PS1 looked like it belonged on a Nintendo first generation console.

[Alex]

Because when i was like 4 years old and Dragon Warrior came out, it looked like crap and i didn't understand why i couldn't actually hit monsters, why these happy slimes kept attacking me, and why i got murdered when i crossed the bridge.
It was still Dragon Warrior at PS1 time (Which was weird, you keep it dragon warrior but you don't change it too 5?) and it looked like garbage at the time.
Looking back, the sprites actually hold up better then the world sprites of the FF7 game, which look worse simply because the early days of polygons are....ew.

But it came out years after FF7, so it was really fricken tough to go back to what looked like an snes game. Especialy since the first games weren't popular.

I actually vaguely remeber renting DW 3 a lot, but i can't say i ever really knew what i was doing.

[2-4-5_Trioxin]

DQ plays like outdated ass. It's just that nobody else has any nostalgic, "OMFG ITZ DQ!!!!!!!!!" covering that fact up.

Kinda like people who snatch up every Madden regardless of how good or bad it is just because it's Madden.

Well just because you dont like something doesnt mean its not any good. And thats about one of the worst arguments as to why you dont like something aside from maybe just saying "cause it sucks, thats why". If you dont like something atleast be able to explain why using your words.

And madden sells so well incase you didnt know (which you obviously dont) is because its the only game where you can play as real nfl teams and real nfl players since EA made a deal to be the only company to have the nfl license. So all those millions and millions of nfl fans that want to play real nfl teams have no choice but to get madden games. So yeah, thats why so many rush out and buy it.

[Xero Kaiser]

If you dont like something atleast be able to explain why using your words.

DQ plays like outdated ass.

Will there be anything else?


And madden sells so well incase you didnt know (which you obviously dont) is because its the only game where you can play as real nfl teams and real nfl players since EA made a deal to be the only company to have the nfl license. So all those millions and millions of nfl fans that want to play real nfl teams have no choice but to get madden games. So yeah, thats why so many rush out and buy it.

You notice how absolutely nothing you listed has anything to do with the game and everything to do with the brand?

[Black Atom]

DQ does have a following in the US (as evident from this thread). Not quite as big as Japan, but few RPGs do.

[Kage Kisaragi]

I only got to play a few dragons warriors (the first one) and I was kind of unexperienced with RPG's at the time it was new, I was young and didn't see the entertainment in a game like that which seemed like it was meant for a more mature crowd. I was like what 7 or 8? If it didn't revolve around speed and precision I couldn't understand what made it fun. Many years later after I got into Junior HS, and my cousin gave me a copy of Might and Magic Book 1 on the nes, my fond love for RPG's of the DQ type grew immensely. I could understand now the joys of playing a game which had very little animation and used primarly still shots of single colored monsters and lots of text reading...

Going back I never beat DQ1 but one of my friends whos love for RPG's grew because I leant him that very same copy of Might and Magic book1 for the nes, did play it again and he made it pretty far but never finished it either. (The game is a lot harder than people give it credit.) years later on the PS1 I would buy DQ7 and the magic would live again. I loved it, sure the graphics weren't all that stellar, but the story was fun and was surprising at times. The job system wasn't anything spectacular like in FF Tactics, but I still got a kick out of meeting requirements and unlocking new skills/spells. This time I eventually ended the game and it felt like such an accomplishment. The game if I recall took a serious **** load of time, especially with all the job leveling and the last boss had like 2 or 3 forms which I noticed in DQ8 is probably common place.

Then on the PS2 DQ8 came out and man was I ready this time. The line was long at Gamestop, but I think I was the only person there for Dragon Quest, though this one got a lot more attention than 7 did, and it looked beautiful, the characters were all memorable and I generally liked all of them and of course this would be the first DQ that used the new Tension option... oh boy seems like SquareEnix finally figured out away to milk some of that DBZ Super Saiya-jin milk lol. I was hooked. I loved the weapon skill system to, everyone felt unique because of it, since only certain people could master a sword to a certain level and even then some techniques were signature to others. Beat this one to, and if they ever release on on PS3 I will gladly drop 60 dollars on it.

[Alex]

On a side note, if Phantasy Star came out on the NES instead of Dragon Quest, RPG's would have been huge here way quicker.
Yeah, i went there!

[Filthy Mutie]

I'm honestly playing Dragon Warrior on an NES emulator--not right this second, but you know what I mean. Everyone at least in their mid-20s gets really excited about it and offer some kind of annecdote which is more or less the same as everyone else's (about how they played it, it was one of their first games, and that it's awesome).

The reason why it's not super-popular here is that single-player RPGs in general really aren't super popular anymore. Among RPG players there's hype, arguements, and loud voices, but in the game market as a whole, they are on the low-side. Dragon Quest is a pretty hardcore console single-player RPG.

[jesse_custer]

On a side note, if Phantasy Star came out on the NES instead of Dragon Quest, RPG's would have been huge here way quicker.
Yeah, i went there!

Why do you say that?

Personally, I found the first two Phantasy Stars stilted and monotonous.

[Kage Kisaragi]

I'm honestly playing Dragon Warrior on an NES emulator--not right this second, but you know what I mean. Everyone at least in their mid-20s gets really excited about it and offer some kind of annecdote which is more or less the same as everyone else's (about how they played it, it was one of their first games, and that it's awesome).

The reason why it's not super-popular here is that single-player RPGs in general really aren't super popular anymore. Among RPG players there's hype, arguements, and loud voices, but in the game market as a whole, they are on the low-side. Dragon Quest is a pretty hardcore console single-player RPG.

what about the legend of Zelda Games?

[Kage Kisaragi]

Why do you say that?

Personally, I found the first two Phantasy Stars stilted and monotonous.

I still remember nodding off watching my friend play Phantasy Star 2.. I loved the series, especially 3 and 4 but I would have rather just read about 2 and 1 and have been just as happy. Universe and really the whole new view could have been done better.

[jdwrocks]

I still remember nodding off watching my friend play Phantasy Star 2.. I loved the series, especially 3 and 4 but I would have rather just read about 2 and 1 and have been just as happy. Universe and really the whole new view could have been done better.
But your two comments don't explain your statement as to why RPG's would be more popular in the U.S. I'm confused to what you are saying.

And on another note once square/enix merged DQ/DW became pretty damn popular.

[Kage Kisaragi]

I don't recall ever saying I'd explain why they'd be more popular in the U.S either in my second comment. As my first one actually already kind of did when I spoke on how I viewed RPG's like Dragon Warrior back when the NES was young. Remember that part about it not requiring active precision or reflex.. yeah now just apply that to oh I'll say pretty much every other 8 or 9 year old kid.

My second comment was in response to another persons generalization that both Phantasy Star 2 and 1 were boring. Also why the heck did you only notice that I out of what more than 15 replies on this thread, not all of which are discribing why RPG's LIKE DRAGON WARRIOR/QUEST aren't hugely popular in the US. (this discussion has nothing no baring on RPG's in the US as a whole, which by the way do damn good compared to every other region, including Japan. Seeing as how RPG's are not exclusive to JRPG's by the way I hate this term. WoW dispite me not playing it, or even seeing it as a RPG is the largest and most well received RPG ever pretty much, and it was created outside of Japan.)

Also NO Dragon Warrior did not become popular in the US after Square/Enix's merger. Dragon Warrior 8 was going to be one of the first times that you'd actually see the characters fighting visably against the monsters and on top of that it was going to be done in a cell shaded Akira Dragon Ball Toriyama fashion. With that they now had something to market other than its long history which is all it needed in Japan..

For all the promoting Square/Enix could have did when DQ8 came out, all they did was post pictures of the cover with its Akira Toriyama Goku/Gohan looking main lead with the Super Saiya-jin looking Tension version and thats all she wrote, people who did buy it bought it along those lines. It looked like Dragon Ball, for people who were only a little bit more in the know, they bought it because it was a RPG from Square Enix that had Dragon Ball Z looking characters in it, and for people who were really in the know, they just bought it because it was the next installment of DQ. The extra fact that the FF12 Demo was included probably helpped boost sales as well.

How much of this is true, well considering DQ9 didn't come out the following year, im pretty sure its close enough to accurate.

[jdwrocks]

OK my bad on the Phantasy Star. I was trying to quote Alex & fucked up. My apologies.

As far as DQ 8, it has a big following in the U.S. Maybe not so mush in it's initial release. but many people, critics, fans, what have you, are enamered with the game. I am not trying to be a fan boy for it. I'm just saying people bought & enjoyed the game for what it was. Not that is was a franchise. People buy FF no matter what. Whether or not it's good or bad.

Not sure what else to say. I enjoyed DQ games not for the franchise but for the game itself.

[Alex]

But your two comments don't explain your statement as to why RPG's would be more popular in the U.S. I'm confused to what you are saying.

And on another note once square/enix merged DQ/DW became pretty damn popular.

And once square and enix merged the creativy started getting sucked out of the company at a rapid pace.(exluding rocket slime, of course)
...
OMG I SAID THAT!!!!
Controversy aside, let me explain my thoughts on the phantasy star issue.
Dragon Warrior was not a pretty game, as i said, thats a strike against it. That,combined with how different it was at the time, probably is what caused the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th games to be less popular with each game. (If anyone recalls, Dragon Warrior wasn't just put out and abandoned, nintendo power wanted us to get this game)
RPG's became mainstream with FF7, marketing blitz and those cinemas is what did it, and maybe the focus on the story. The core gameplay is the same as DW, you got your magic, you level up, you select actions from a menu. So thats what it took to get the genre popular.
Now, for Phantasy Star, you had much better graphics (for the time) a much more involved story(for the time) you even had cut scenes.
Well, you had occasional comic panels, but it was what passed for cutscenes.

The thing that throws my theory off is the first person dungeons, that sort of thing never really caught on with the mainstream audience here(PC gamers aside).
I've always thought it was a better example of an earlier RPG because it was closer to current day RPGS, in it's simple way.
And PS4 rocks my face off.
But as jesse said, it was a bit monotonous, all console rpgs were at the time, it was just less monotonous than the original Dragon Quest game.

In all seriousness, i think we just weren't ready for it, most people playing nintendo were too young to appreciate a game like Dragon Warrior, and if a person was older, they would have been bored by the incredibly simple storyline.
There wasn't a lot to the game.
The key to this discussion i think, is how many copies of Dragon Quest style RPGS actually sell well, that don't have SquareEnix on the cover.
That company, though less now then a few years ago, can crap in a box and sell it if they put their name on it.
IE: IS the dragon quest style of RPG popular NOW outside of Japan?
Square has had some misses lately, but whether it's due to the games being not as spectacular or something else is up for debate.
I'm not sure if Blue Dragon did amazing either, and that's about the best example of a Dragon Quest style rpg i can think of in the last few years.

[NeoStar9X]

Thanks everyone. Things seem to make more sense now. My only experience with the series was Dragon Warrior back on the NES but that was years ago and I did not enjoy that from what I recall. Luckily I think it was a used game at the time so my parents didn't spend a lot on it. Final Fantasy for the NES was another story. Even at that young age it had me and my parents hooked. Still it wasn't until fairly recently I found out Dragon Warrior was apart of the DragonQuest series. Shows how far my knowledge and interest in the DQ series goes other then recognizing the Akira Toriyama artwork.

Was considering picking up the DS remakes to give the series a serious shot. I like to consider myself an old school rpg fan so the design won't be an issue.

[Xero Kaiser]

The reason why it's not super-popular here is that single-player RPGs in general really aren't super popular anymore. Among RPG players there's hype, arguements, and loud voices, but in the game market as a whole, they are on the low-side. Dragon Quest is a pretty hardcore console single-player RPG.

Single player RPGs do just fine. It's only JRPGs that come and go without anybody noticing.

[Jmacq1]

Except of course for Final Fantasy.

JRPGs also must have some kind of following in the US, or else they wouldn't bother to port so many of them over.

[Filthy Mutie]

Single player RPGs do just fine. It's only JRPGs that come and go without anybody noticing.

They do "fine." What American-born single-player RPGs have done better than "fine" in the last ten years? I'm sure there are more, but the only ones I can think of off the top of my head right now are the Knights of the Old Republic games, Morrowind (kind of--the real breadwinner is Oblivion), and Diablo 2? For all of these, you have a Final Fantasy game that came out at about the same time, which is, over the course of ten years, not very many games. (GameRankings is down right now and Metacritic is being really slow as a result, so i can't dig really deep into this at the moment.)

It's because of this track record that publishers are reeeaaal apprehensive about supporting RPGs at the moment.

Porting "JRPGs" over is a great move most of the time, because the cost of porting and translating is a small piece of the pie when compared to the rest of the budget.

Kage Kisaragi: The Zelda games aren't RPGs in terms of gaming genres, but action/adventure.

I'm of the opinion that Square/Enix's body of work since its merge has been largely garbage and I miss the Ogre Battle IP (and the Quest development house). It doesn't help that they've wiped their butts with the Mana series.

Anyway, Dragon Warrior not being popular in the US: hardcore games with not a lot of frills don't do as well as they maybe should here, let alone in the RPG genre.