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 modern gaming, a conversation featured in the "Metaphor: ReFantazio Atlas Brand 35th Anniversary Edition" booklet. Their discussion highlights the evolving landscape of game development and its impact on storytelling techniques.
Horii, creator of the iconic Dragon Quest series, explained the series' reliance on the "symbolic protagonist"—a silent character allowing players to project their own feelings into the game. This approach worked well with the simpler graphics of earlier games, where limited animation didn't detract from the player's imaginative engagement. However, Horii humorously noted that a silent protagonist in today's high-fidelity graphics might appear "like an idiot."
Horii, whose background includes aspirations to be a manga artist, emphasized Dragon Quest's narrative structure, built around dialogue and player interaction, rather than extensive narration. He acknowledged the increasing difficulty of maintaining this style as graphics become more realistic, stating that the silent protagonist approach presents a significant challenge for the future of the series.
The contrast between Dragon Quest's silent protagonist and the fully voiced protagonists in games like Persona (and Hashino's upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio) is stark. Hashino praised Horii's approach, emphasizing Dragon Quest's focus on the player's emotional response to even minor interactions. He highlighted the series' consistent consideration of player feelings within the game's design.
This conversation underscores the evolving relationship between technological advancements, visual fidelity, and narrative choices in RPG development. The silent protagonist, once a standard, now presents a unique creative challenge in the age of increasingly realistic graphics and detailed character animations.
