Dragon Quest & Metaphor: Silent RPG

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 today's gaming landscape, as detailed in the "Metaphor: ReFantazio Atlas Brand 35th Anniversary Edition" booklet. Their conversation highlights the changing dynamics of storytelling in RPGs as graphics become increasingly realistic.

Horii, known for Dragon Quest's iconic silent protagonist, describes this character as "symbolic." This approach allows players to project their own feelings and experiences onto the character, enhancing immersion. The effectiveness of this technique, however, is directly tied to the game's visual capabilities.

Horii notes that the simpler graphics of earlier games made silent protagonists more palatable. "With increasingly realistic graphics, a protagonist who just stands there looks like an idiot," he quips. He emphasizes Dragon Quest's narrative structure, built on dialogue and player interaction, rather than extensive narration. This approach, while successful in the past, presents a growing challenge in the age of high-fidelity visuals and detailed character animations.

The minimalist graphics of the NES era allowed players to fill in the emotional blanks left by the silent protagonist. However, Horii acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining this approach as games become more visually and aurally rich. He concludes that depicting a silent protagonist effectively in modern, realistic games will remain a significant hurdle.

Hashino, whose Metaphor: ReFantazio features a fully voiced protagonist, contrasts this approach with Dragon Quest's continued use of a silent protagonist. He praises Horii's focus on the player's emotional experience, stating that Dragon Quest consistently considers "how the player will feel in a given situation," even in seemingly minor interactions. This player-centric design philosophy, while employing a silent protagonist, remains a key element of the series' success.