DS Daily: Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest?

by Alisha Karabinus { Sep 14th 2008 at 10:30AM }

After talking yesterday about Dragon Quest and the coming (again) of part IV, we thought it might be interesting to backpeddle to a more basic, visceral question: do you prefer Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest? It's Square versus Enix in an RPG franchise fight to the death!

Tags: dragon-quest, final-fantasy, rpg, square-enix

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Roto13 @ Sep 14th 2008 10:40AM

Final Fantasy by a freaking mile. Dragon Quest refuses to make any major changes besides moving into 3D. Even then, the gameplay is pretty much the same. Final Fantasy, however, changes a lot with each new installment. When I play Final Fantasy XII it doesn't feel like I'm playing Final Fantasy VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, or XI. It feels like I'm playing Final Fantasy XII.

hellhammer @ Sep 14th 2008 2:00PM

Well said.

Comparing the series overall, I'd say Final Fantasy, as well.

Even if Final Fantasy 6 and 7 are overrated(and they are), you still have to consider just how different each FF title is. Just comparing 6 to 7 you see an incredible amount of change(for the better) and amazing innovation.

The whole DQ formula just seems stale. When I played the newer DS version, it was just much too similar to being 8 or 10 and playing Dragon Warrior on NES.

"Here lies Link"

Very Metal @ Sep 14th 2008 10:47AM

Final Fantasy, the first six, plus the tactics games are great, but I'd take DQ Vlll over FF Vll and later games.

aj @ Sep 14th 2008 10:47AM

Final Fantasy wins for each iteration being different, even if only slightly in some (or many) cases, and even if some were very bad.

Dragon Quest wins for reliability, and for the best spinoff games (Rocket Slime! Monsters! YEAH!).

Final verdict: They are TWO DIFFERENT GAMES. And the question is ultimately a moot point since they're made by the same company now. No fair being your own rival.

Since this is DS Fanboy, and we're really talking about Final Fantasy IV and Dragon Quest IV, I'd answer Dragon Quest without even thinking. Why? Well, have you played Final Fantasy IV? Did you find the "enemy casts instant death and game over" in every fucking random encounter fun? No. Didn't think so.

Lexluthermiester @ Sep 14th 2008 4:36PM

So you are saying you didn't take the time to level up in FF4DS? It was something you needed to do in FF2[snes] and that same rule applies in this version. Taking the time to level up, gaining both new spells and money in the process is at part of the game. It is no different in DQ4.

I personally would have to choose FF4 over DQ4 but as I love both of them it really is a pointless debate.

aj @ Sep 14th 2008 8:36PM

Levelling up, gaining spells and money are universal across all RPGs. And I've played a couple of those before. It's not as if I don't "get it".

Gewurztraminer says: Shinkuu Gadouken! @ Sep 14th 2008 10:59AM

BOTH!

I've played the majority of the Final Fantasy games as they game available in the US, but Dragon Quest was a little harder to come by here.

I never actually played a single DQ game until VIII. And, as huge a fan I am of the SNES and PSone Final Fantasies, DQ8 just might be better than all of them. And for as many times as I've played FF6 and FF7 (near a dozen each I'm sure) that's saying something.

thames3160 @ Sep 14th 2008 11:31AM

Both franchises are great. But I have to say that I like Dragon Quest is my favorite franchise of the two. The battles are quick and enjoyable. Its especially fun to see the cartoon enemies animated attacks. The music is good and there are some memorable tunes. The writing is good. I liked DQ7's style in which each chapter was a mini drama and in the end they all wove into each other by the end of the game. Final Fantasy is good too, but overall I like Dragon Quest better.

Joie @ Sep 14th 2008 11:33AM

FF7 has yet to be dethroned as my favorite game of all time.

BUT... as a series!? it's DQ all the way.

there are about 3 FFs that I really LOVE. and a lot of them make me cringe (especially the newer ones).

but for DQ? they have always been consistently great and interesting... I love that they haven't abandoned the fun anime vibe. the FF games now look like trans-gender fashion models or something.... it's too much. plus the plot of FF never changes now!!

bottom line: FF will always have a special place in my heart, and I will always give their games a look when new ones come out.... but I've loved DQ since DW1... and they've yet to let me down.

even DQ Swords was friggin' awesome!! (if you get into it, it's a really deep, challenging game.... we're on like our 30th hour and we've just started payback mode!)

TFoK (Naked Peach Defense Force) @ Sep 14th 2008 11:38AM

On the DS? Neither.

As a series? Final Fantasy, probably. I mean, I haven't enjoyed the vast majority of the newer Final Fantasy games, but VII was pretty good (despite it holding the throne of most overrated game ever made for all these years), and FFIX/FFVI were awesome. I just can't get into Dragon Quest... the way the story is conveyed, the battle systems, etc... it all feels so archaic.

Schneizel-oniisama @ Sep 14th 2008 11:39AM

As #1 pointed out. DQ refuses to change, while FF takes the risk. True, some FFs suck, but you can always see an evolution, and that you have to give some credits to them.

Some day, I say, FF will find the right formula and be what DQ can never be.

TFoK (Naked Peach Defense Force) @ Sep 14th 2008 12:01PM

"while FF takes the risk."

When has the risk been good? The only modern FF game I enjoyed (modern = post FFIX) was FFXII, and even then the battle system got boring after a while.

Dirge of Cerberus was awful. Crisis Core was beyond linear. I couldn't get into IX, and the new Tactics games were meh at best (even the remake, what with it being a straight port visually with a few new cutscenes and characters thrown in). Hell, all of the FF remakes have been lame lately.

If this is the way risk turns out...

TJF588 @ Sep 14th 2008 12:45PM

Couldn't get into IX? Did you mean X or XI?

aj @ Sep 14th 2008 8:48PM

I couldn't get into IX either.

Not that it was a bad game. It just......seemed weird, somehow. The entire game felt like the company had just taken all the fanboy whining about VII and VIII and decided to just make a completely unremarkable, average fantasy RPG that was just like all the older Final Fantasy games.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Sep 14th 2008 11:47AM

I have tried on my R4 pretty much all FF and DQ.

With exception of FFTA2 (from FF) and DQM:J (from DQ), I do like none of the franchise games.

Poor game utility. Forced story. So little of action for so much of cut-scenes. FF have now weird combat system or are real-time (what I do not like). DQ IV looks like a copy FF III with the very same mistakes.

From FFTA2 and DQM:J I prefer DQM:J because it is less watered down.

FFTA2 would be an excellent game for me, if only they had made it more accessible: less stupid laws, less stupid quests, no auction thingy and of course ZOMG not so much lockables. After playing FFTA2 for 40+ hours, it is more about loot hunting than anything else: to use loot to unlock items to unlock abilities to make any use of the jobs I had to go thru bunch of stupid quests to unlock. I got bored and stopped playing it.

On other side, DQM:J is really good simple RPG. It could be better, yet it is best RPG I ever played on DS. (Luminous Arc looses to it only slightly - and only in production values department.)

P.S. Disclaimer: PC gamer here. Wii/DS are still niche for me.

Mr Khan @ Sep 14th 2008 12:11PM

FFTA2's story blew, relatively few of the story-quest missions had much to do with what the final struggle was eventually focused on

And Luso was one of the worst protagonists (in terms of personality) that Square's dredged up in a long time

Game was fun as hell, don't get me wrong. Very, very addictive, but fail story.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Sep 14th 2008 12:43PM

@Khan: now you mention it, the viera from Cid's clan (forgot name - names were rarely displayed during battles) was my protagonist. Way sexier than Luso.

FFTA2 failed to me not because of loose story, but because I have realized how game is controlled by script writers: it all boils down to loot and quests which give you that particular piece of loot.

As PC gamer, I prefer more open games. Frankly, console game lockables are really turning me off. And when so early in the game it is exposed that in fact even lockables are controlled by game script - that turned me off completely.

Pizza Pasta @ Sep 14th 2008 11:56AM

Dragon Quest, it's more endearing and the lack of bell's and whistles makes it very easy for me to find comfort in the series.

Most FF games are too much for me anymore but I'm old and that's my excuse.

I really hope that DQIV sells well enough for Square Enix to be able to localize the V and VI remakes for DS.

You know what you are getting into with a DQ game and that really makes the series appealing to me. It's a classic formula that never changes. A lot of FF games are a good example of someone trying to fix what isn't broken.

Ashe @ Sep 14th 2008 11:56AM

Final Fantasy games are better in every way. Even the least liked Final Fantasy games are better than any of the DQ games.

TJF588 @ Sep 14th 2008 12:42PM

FINAL FANTASY, though I could see myself getting behind DRAGON QUEST. I'm interested in giving DQIV a spin.

Matt G. @ Sep 14th 2008 12:44PM

I think FF wins, but keep in mind I have never played a single DQ game. I started off with FF7 (my favorite RPG), then moved on to VIII and IX and X and I've seen XII in action. I also own FF3 and 4 for the DS and have played FFT and FFTA. I like how the series is always getting reinvented and the games are never really related to each other outside of name.

Now, I don't know much of anything about the DQ series, save for that it involves a slime and the character art is done by the DBZ guy, but besides that, I hold the opinion that the whole series is rather archaic. Right now, I have no interest in buying any of the three remakes, but I might be interested in checking out DQ9.

I just grew up with FF and have always wondered why DQ does so much better in Japan.

matsam @ Sep 14th 2008 12:47PM

It's hard to compare them, after all, there's a new Final Fantasy game coming out each month, while DQ is lucky to have one game every year. If I consider each series' best games, I really can't decide, FFIV and FFVI were awesome, but so were DWIII and DQVIII, imo. The thing is, when I compare how I liked the series as a whole, FF loses quite a few points here. There are a few FF games I hate, can't say that for DQ. I don't like the fact FF tries so hard to "change". It's just wrong. Oh and DQ is considered be old-school and fans of the series love it for that very reason. Proof that change isn't always for the best.

Kia @ Sep 14th 2008 12:50PM

I'm amazed at how many DQ apologists there are on here. o_O

Not to say it's a bad series, but it doesn't even come close to Final Fantasy. It's just BORING. The same crappy cartoony enemies, the same terrible Toriyama character designs, the same complete and utterly forgettable characters and storylines, the same tired gameplay, the list goes on.

J.K. @ Sep 14th 2008 1:06PM

Historically speaking for me it has been Final Fantasy as it was my first console RPG, Dragon Warrior while free from NP mag I didn't get well into nearly the life of the SNES. To me FF has been more of the quicker game until the total stray from what FF was meant to be on the 7th release. The 'N' based FF titles have been great games, well crafted stories, smarter battle engines, and they were good 20-40 hour romps. Dragon Quest(Warrior) was very short on the 1st as I won it from my best friend as he bet me I couldn't do it in one afternoon (which I did in like 5hours or so.) Each DQ/W game after though has gone into the 40+ area pushing up into 100hours which I find huge distaste with because the DQ system never really changes and I personally can't focus on a game that long. I lose interest due to forgetting what happened dozens of hours earlier making me think 'Why did I bother?' DQ though these days while still long not all of it by far is required, the system is more fun because it's traditional, and the stories have definitely improved. FF though has strayed into boy band looking characters, whiny stories, overkill hours, very cryptic lame boss fights requiring exact skills and usage or you're hosed which is very bad, a disgusting buzzkill.

To me Square lost their way with FF and their Enix half has stayed on target. FF4 was fairly ruined on the DS with cryptic boss fights requiring exact gear and spells or you're dead, even some random thing in a zone now can off you in 2 hits that way which is disgusting. DQ though has always had the same level of challenge that ramps up but nothing outrageous and stupid, nor has it required you to use exact spells 2, 5, and 8 in your list every turn or you die no matter what and that I appreciate.

Historically FF was great, but these days the DQ franchise is where it's at now for honest good gameplay.

SlickD @ Sep 14th 2008 1:10PM

FF has started to lose it's magic. They need to focus on making a good story than just pretty graphic.

Red @ Sep 14th 2008 1:27PM

If I really had to pick one...I'd go with Final Fantasy, I guess, if only because they don't require you to open a menu to open a door or go down stairs.

But really, I try to judge by the game, not by the brand name, and I haven't played enough Dragon Quest games to give it a fair assessment. My utter loathing for DQVII tainted my reaction to the franchise, but DQVIII was fun. And it's not like Final Fantasy is perfect, either: I disliked FFVI, FFX was ultimately...unsatisfying, and no matter how much I liked a game, odds are it'll be ruined by a half dozen mediocre sequels.

futurebiblehero @ Sep 14th 2008 1:45PM

Dragon Quest, for precisely the same reason everyone hates it. Growing up, my favorite genre of games was the console RPG in the vein of Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy I-VI. Now that genre has all but disappeared and all I really have to hold onto, remakes withstanding, is the Dragon Quest series (and arguably the Shin Megami Tensei one).

I also disagree that Dragon Quest is blindly stuck in the past. Dragon Quest VIII wasn't some game stuck in the 80s. No one had to grind for 5 hours to get a Copper Sword. No one had to use the "Stairs" command. To me, Dragon Quest VIII was the culmination of everything that made old school RPGs wonderful. It had a charming story with spectacular voice acting. It had great graphics. It was only a "grind" compared to modern RPGs, but to anything before the Playstation era it was a total lightweight. Level 5 did a spectacular job at modernizing the series without sacrificing it's roots.

To me, calling Dragon Quest "bad" because caters to the old rather than the new is like calling the cello "total bullshit" because it's not getting with the times. There are plenty of us out there that still love to hear it.

I sincerely don't understand the love for games like Etrian Odyssey, Contra 4, Izuna et al when yet somehow, Dragon Quest is total garbage for taking the exact same approach. If you love those games, then perhaps you owe it to yourself to look at these from another perspective.

futurebiblehero @ Sep 14th 2008 1:48PM

And excuse the numerous errors in that. I have a hangover and I've not had my damned coffee.

impact24 @ Sep 14th 2008 1:58PM

I'm surprised by the number of old-school RPG players here, given that most of the new boards/blogs have a younger crowd.

I've started a bit early myself on japanese RPGs, but I wasn't able to play the Famicom FFs and DQs since I'm in asia, and those games were typically only available in japanese. That said, the first JRPG I played as FF2 (US), and I've played all FFs after that except 11. From the DQ series, I was only able to play VIII.

It's not fair for me to decide what's the better series, but I will say this this: the SNES Final Fantasies are the among the best RPGs I've ever played from the pre 32-bit era....and DragonQuest 8 is the best RPG I played after the 16-bit era. In general, I liked the earlier FFs than the later ones.

FF Tactics is an oddity for me since it's probably my favorite post-16bit FF despite not being part of the main series.

I'd like to end though by mentioning Chrono Trigger still tops everything in the end.

impact24 @ Sep 14th 2008 1:59PM

impact24 @ Sep 14th 2008 2:00PM

gah...sorry for the double post.

Lawg @ Sep 14th 2008 2:07PM

Dragon Quest Rocket Slime was a great game...that's about all I have to say on the matter.

elsng @ Sep 14th 2008 2:18PM

I'm a sucker for good storylines, so I'd have to say Final Fantasy. Dragon Quest isn't a bad series, it just lacks...well...interest.

chibi_wings @ Sep 14th 2008 2:24PM

ah, this is a very difficult choice. I grew up on FF, but when I tried DWIII (as a teen) I also loved it. Funny thing is, I like FF and DQ for entirely different reasons. I like the FFs because they have such complex and interesting stories, and each installment is a different game. But I like DQ for the customization and the fact that it's basically an old-school RPG experience. Yet having only played the third installment, I cannot make a proper judgment about the DQ series. I will say through, that FFVI is my second favourite RPG for the time being, and hence, FF is better in my eyes then DQ. But as I said, I ultimately like both of them, just FF a little more.

Lycoris @ Sep 14th 2008 2:38PM

I feel I have very little right to comment as I've had very little experience with either series, save for the past few years. I've really stayed away since the first FF game I was given was FFX-2 and that just didn't make any sense to me. I'd not played the first and had been handed this weird battle system to mess around with.

The year before last, I did a favour for a friend and got enough money to pick up a preowned copy of FFVII. I enjoyed what I managed to play but I was left confused and just left it part way through the second disc. I bought X the next year and had masses of fun. The story was engaging and despite a couple of scenes that left me confused, I wanted to keep going with it until I got near the end and gave up when I found it too hard. I loved the system in X though because it was so much more customisable than any other game I'd played and I look back on X very fondly.

XII I got last Christmas and in between some problems with my TV, I found it enjoyable enough but the story was rather lacking. The characters weren't nearly as interesting and the fight system was good while it lasted. It was nice to see the move to real-time combat, something that I love in RPGs.

I got IV on the DS shortly after it was released in the States and while I found a gorgeous looking game with a classic battle system, was this really the story people had been raving about? I've nearly beaten it, so it'll be the first FF game I've actually beaten but I'm not sure why. What's kept me going this long? Possibly the desire to beat it before my friend but I cannot think of any other reasons.

Dragon Quest I've only had one encounter with and that's VIII. Another Christmas present but I found this game really engaging and the battle system I found really fun. The characters are interesting (heck, it's funny to think that the horse that you're using is actually the person you're trying to rescue and it always makes me giggle a little) and the voices are good. The one problem with the voices is that one of them was a gangster in a series called Black Books and so it's rather hard to seperate them. Again, TV problems plague me and therefore I've not finished it but I still enjoy this more than most of the FF games I've played.

On the whole, I'd say I prefer DQ but since I've only played one game, I could still easily switch back to FF. Still, I cannot understand all the hype around FF, I feel there are many better RPGs out there and that they really do need to find that perfect blend of gameplay and story before they truely win me over.

Matt G. @ Sep 15th 2008 11:26AM

FF storylines have confused you? Eh, I guess that can happen if you're not used to super complex plots like that. Back when I was a preteen I was playing VII and VIII and it took a couple of playthroughs for me to understand everything.

As for the remark about the "lackluster" ffiv storyline, I think that may be as a result of you having played later titles from the series. The plot of FF4 was amazing back when it first came out, and of course it will seem dated and weak compared to that of the FFVII or FFX or XII storylines.

nil @ Sep 14th 2008 2:41PM

Dragon Quest gets my vote. FF 1-6 are all brilliant but after that the series started to lose my interest. All of the pouty, pretty characters start to blend together. The DQ games use a simplified battle system and tend to be shorter, which I prefer.

PestName @ Sep 14th 2008 2:43PM

I've actually never finished a game of either series. Only 1 spinoff of each on the ds (Chocobo Tales and Rocket slime), which I both liked greatly. But none of the major games had anything to get me playing or keep me playing until the end.

Ethan @ Sep 14th 2008 2:52PM

Final Fantasy.

117 @ Sep 14th 2008 3:29PM

Final Fantasy. It just appeals to me more. I like the enemies, the art, and the music more than Dragon Quests. However, I won't deny that Dragon Quest is a great series, and plan to get IX if it ever comes out here.

Alakhira @ Sep 14th 2008 4:02PM

Well FF has certainly changed, but honestly every change isn't always good. I still find the pre-FF VII games to be among the best. Given that I'll have to side with the DQ series in the end. Yes, there's been little change in the mechanics, but they've stuck to what I think to be a classic formula.

E @ Sep 14th 2008 4:06PM

Final Fantasy for overall story and gameplay. FF VI is still my favorite game every made. But I don't think you can compare the two series, as FF has gone off and done its own thing. I would say FF is a story in RPG form and DQ is a RPG with a story.

Dragon Quest I still like for a good traditional RPG. It may not have the depth that FF has, or Nobuo Uemastu composing for it; but compared to any other RPGs out there, if you want a good, solid RPG...DQ is it. And that's what I like DQ for.
Of course if you hate grinding or need that strong storyline there to keep your interests, I'm guessing DQ won't be fun. I on the other hand sort of grew up playing to early DQs on the NES, so still enjoy them when I go back to play them. Both are great series for what they are.

Dan @ Sep 14th 2008 4:35PM

I've never played a Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy game.

Ever.

Creciente @ Sep 14th 2008 4:53PM

Final Fantasy all the way.

Chris @ Sep 14th 2008 5:02PM

It seems to me that older generation who started from NES era find themselves more comfortable with Dragon Quest series whereas PlayStation generation prefers Final Fantasy series by a big margin. I myself prefer Dragon Quest series over Final Fantasy series especially when FF series began to lose its magic.

Some pointed out that they don't like DQ series because of lack of changes, however, it is probably because the series sticks to the fundamental element of RPGs rather than trying out new things, which can be good or bad depends on your preference. On the contrary, those who like changes and new things will definitely prefer FF series.

There are reasons why Dragon Quest series are the 'National RPG' and the best selling PlayStation game of all time in Japan despite of western gamers favoring FF series. Japanese government had to pass a legislation to ban release of a new DQ game on weekdays because too many students and salarymen skip school and work to get a hold of a copy. When a government passes a legislation to ban release of a new game on weekdays, there must be something.

Anyways, I'm picking up my reserved copy of DQ4 tomorrow and will relive those precious moments all over again~

futurebiblehero @ Sep 14th 2008 7:41PM

It's actually an urban myth regarding the Japanese government and the selling of Dragon Quest on weekdays. It was actually Enix's decision and wasn't forced upon them. That still says a great deal about what a monumental event every DQ release is, however.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything else, though. I've never met a single person that began playing RPGs in the 32 bit era that likes Dragon Quest more than Final Fantasy. That doesn't mean they're right or vice versa, but it's interesting to note. It's almost more of a generation gap than anything else.

Haohmaru @ Sep 14th 2008 6:09PM

Suikoden! Oh, that wasn't one of the choices.

Okay. Dragon Quest by a mile. I can say with confidence that I've enjoyed every single main-series Dragon Quest game that I've played - that's all of them except for VI. Final Fantasy's peak was reached at VI. VII was pretty good, VIII was decent, IX was a return to form, but the series has only gotten worse. Meanwhile, I have yet to play a console RPG in the last 10 years that has drawn me in like Dragon Quest VIII.