Dragon Quest (universe): Difference between revisions
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Despite its overwhelming success in Japan, ''Dragon Quest'' was not released internationally until 1989, when Nintendo released it in North America (under the name ''Dragon Warrior'', due to copyright conflicts with a pen-and-paper RPG of the same name). The first RPG to be released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, this version features improved graphics and a battery save feature instead of the password system of the original version. In late 1990, the official ''Nintendo Power'' magazine included free copies of the game as a subscription bonus, a move which proved highly successful; the magazine attracted thousands of subscribers and ensured the game's success, as well as earning a dedicated fanbase for future entries. Although it lags behind ''Final Fantasy'' in international sales, the series gradually began to grow in popularity upon the release of ''Dragon Quest VIII'', which marked an increase in sales outside of Japan as well as the drop of the title ''Dragon Warrior'' due to the trademark for the pen and paper game finally expiring and Square Enix taking advantage of this by registering the trademark in the USA. The best-selling game in the series worldwide is ''Dragon Quest XI'', in part due to its main [[Hero]] appearing as a fighter in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. | Despite its overwhelming success in Japan, ''Dragon Quest'' was not released internationally until 1989, when Nintendo released it in North America (under the name ''Dragon Warrior'', due to copyright conflicts with a pen-and-paper RPG of the same name). The first RPG to be released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, this version features improved graphics and a battery save feature instead of the password system of the original version. In late 1990, the official ''Nintendo Power'' magazine included free copies of the game as a subscription bonus, a move which proved highly successful; the magazine attracted thousands of subscribers and ensured the game's success, as well as earning a dedicated fanbase for future entries. Although it lags behind ''Final Fantasy'' in international sales, the series gradually began to grow in popularity upon the release of ''Dragon Quest VIII'', which marked an increase in sales outside of Japan as well as the drop of the title ''Dragon Warrior'' due to the trademark for the pen and paper game finally expiring and Square Enix taking advantage of this by registering the trademark in the USA. The best-selling game in the series worldwide is ''Dragon Quest XI'', in part due to its main [[Hero]] appearing as a fighter in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. | ||
For later titles, many of the original team members retain their role in the series; Horii serves the role of scenario director, while Toriyama and Sugiyama continue to provide character design and music, respectively. Subsequent ''Dragon Quest'' games build on the formula introduced by the original. For ''Dragon Quest II'', the developers introduced a party system with the player controlling three characters, another idea inspired by ''Wizardry''; this would go on to become a standard gameplay element in the ''Dragon Quest'' series. ''Dragon Quest III'' introduced a class system, allowing characters to specialize in certain roles, while ''Dragon Quest IV'' introduced chapter-based progression and computer-controlled allies. ''Dragon Quest VIII'', the first main game in the series to be released in [[PAL]] regions and the first to drop the ''Dragon Warrior'' title overseas, was also the first fully 3D rendered game in the series, and it included the ability to control the camera at any angle on the overworld. Though Koichi Sugiyama was seen as a controversial figure for decades, he would still contribute new tracks for the franchise until ''Dragon Quest XII''. Most notably, orchestral arrangements of the series' soundtrack performed in Tokyo or London titled "Symphonic Suite" were either offered in albums or played exclusively in the Japanese release of a game. The latter title would be his last contribution to the franchise before passing away in September 2021. | For later titles, many of the original team members retain their role in the series; Horii serves the role of scenario director, while Toriyama and Sugiyama continue to provide character design and music, respectively. Subsequent ''Dragon Quest'' games build on the formula introduced by the original. For ''Dragon Quest II'', the developers introduced a party system with the player controlling three characters, another idea inspired by ''Wizardry''; this would go on to become a standard gameplay element in the ''Dragon Quest'' series. ''Dragon Quest III'' introduced a class system, allowing characters to specialize in certain roles, while ''Dragon Quest IV'' introduced chapter-based progression and computer-controlled allies. ''Dragon Quest VIII'', the first main game in the series to be released in [[PAL]] regions and the first to drop the ''Dragon Warrior'' title overseas, was also the first fully 3D rendered game in the series, and it included the ability to control the camera at any angle on the overworld. Though Koichi Sugiyama was seen as a controversial figure for decades, he would still contribute new tracks for the franchise until the upcoming ''Dragon Quest XII''. Most notably, orchestral arrangements of the series' soundtrack performed in Tokyo or London titled "Symphonic Suite" were either offered in albums or played exclusively in the Japanese release of a game. The latter title would be his last contribution to the franchise before passing away in September 2021. | ||
The ''Dragon Quest'' franchise, owing to its widespread success, has spawned many spin-off series based upon its characters and settings, some of which have become franchises in their own right. | The ''Dragon Quest'' franchise, owing to its widespread success, has spawned many spin-off series based upon its characters and settings, some of which have become franchises in their own right. | ||