Dragon Quest, Metaphor: ReFantazio Creators on Silent Protagonists in Modern RPGs

RPG veterans Yuji Horii and Katsura Hashino, directors of Square Enix's "Dragon Quest" and Atlus' "Metaphor: ReFantazio," respectively, engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about the role of silent protagonists in today's RPGs. This conversation took place amid the backdrop of ever-evolving game technology and development trends.

Dragon Quest Creator Talks Modern Challenges of Using Silent Protagonists

Silent Protagonists Seem Increasingly Out of Place in Modern Games

image (c) Den Faminico Gamer

Yuji Horii, the mastermind behind the beloved Dragon Quest series, sat down with Katsura Hashino, the director of Atlus' eagerly anticipated RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, to explore the nuances of RPG storytelling. Their insightful dialogue was featured in an excerpt from the "Metaphor: ReFantazio Atlas Brand 35th Anniversary Edition" booklet. The discussion delved into the challenges faced by franchises like Dragon Quest, particularly as video game graphics continue to advance towards hyper-realism.

Central to the Dragon Quest series is its iconic use of a silent protagonist, which Horii fondly referred to as "the symbolic protagonist." This narrative technique allows players to project their own emotions onto the character, thereby enhancing their immersion within the game's universe. These silent heroes act as avatars for the players, engaging with the game world primarily through dialogue choices rather than spoken words.

Horii noted that in the era of simpler graphics, silent protagonists were a natural fit. "With the less detailed expressions and animations of early games, silent protagonists were easier to implement," he remarked humorously, "but as game graphics become more realistic, a protagonist who just stands there might come off as looking rather foolish."

Reflecting on his career, Horii shared that his initial dream was to become a manga artist. His passion for storytelling and fascination with computers eventually led him to the gaming industry. Dragon Quest, a product of his passions, revolves around a narrative driven by interactions with townsfolk and bosses, with minimal reliance on narration. "The essence of Dragon Quest lies in the dialogues with townspeople, crafting the story through these interactions. That's where the fun comes from," he explained.

However, Horii acknowledged the growing difficulty of maintaining silent protagonists in modern games, where hyper-realistic graphics can make a non-responsive character seem out of place. In the early days of Dragon Quest, the rudimentary graphics of the Nintendo Entertainment System allowed players to fill in the emotional gaps. Yet, as visuals and audio in games become increasingly sophisticated, the challenge of effectively using silent protagonists grows.

"The type of protagonist in Dragon Quest becomes harder to portray as games become more lifelike. This will continue to be a challenge for us in the future," Horii concluded.

Metaphor ReFantazio Director Thinks Dragon Quest Puts Players' Feelings First

Dragon Quest remains one of the few major RPG series to feature a silent protagonist, with the character typically making only a few non-verbal sounds throughout the game. In contrast, other RPGs like Persona have embraced voiced protagonists since Persona 3, enhancing the narrative during battles and cutscenes. Hashino's upcoming project, Metaphor: ReFantazio, will break from tradition by featuring a fully voice-acted protagonist.

While Horii pondered the limitations of silent protagonists in modern gaming, Hashino praised the Dragon Quest series for its emotional depth and player-centric design. "I believe Dragon Quest deeply considers the player's emotional response in every scenario, even in interactions with ordinary townsfolk," Hashino said to Horii. "The series consistently keeps the player's feelings at the forefront, crafting experiences that resonate emotionally."