Dragon Quest and Metaphor: ReFantazio Creators Discuss Silent Protagonists in Modern RPGs

The Evolving Role of the Silent Protagonist in Modern RPGs: A Conversation Between Dragon Quest and Metaphor: ReFantazio Creators

Veteran RPG developers Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest) and Katsura Hashino (Metaphor: ReFantazio) recently discussed the challenges of utilizing silent protagonists in contemporary RPGs, a topic explored in the "Metaphor: ReFantazio Atlas Brand 35th Anniversary Edition" booklet. Their conversation highlights the impact of advancing game technology and evolving design philosophies on storytelling.

Horii, creator of the iconic Dragon Quest series, explains the series' reliance on the "symbolic protagonist"—a silent character allowing players to project themselves into the game. This approach worked well with the simpler graphics of earlier games, where limited animations didn't detract from player immersion. However, Horii humorously notes that a silent protagonist in a game with realistic graphics might appear "like an idiot."

He attributes Dragon Quest's narrative structure, heavily reliant on dialogue and minimal narration, to his background as an aspiring manga artist and his passion for storytelling. The game's progression, driven by interactions and dialogue, creates a unique narrative experience.

Horii acknowledges the increasing difficulty of maintaining this design choice in modern games. The minimalist graphics of the NES era allowed players to fill in the emotional blanks, but increasingly realistic visuals and audio make a non-reactive protagonist stand out in a less favorable way. He concludes that depicting this type of protagonist will remain a significant challenge.

In contrast to Dragon Quest's silent protagonist, many modern RPGs, including Atlus' Persona series, feature fully voiced protagonists. Hashino, director of Metaphor: ReFantazio (which also features a fully voiced protagonist), praises Horii's approach, emphasizing Dragon Quest's focus on the player's emotional experience, even in seemingly minor interactions. Hashino highlights the game's consistent consideration of the player's emotional response to dialogue. This underscores the different design philosophies at play in modern RPG development.