The modern RPG in games are well known. A character is selected and battles through enemies while collecting certain items. As foes are overcome, experience points are gathered and the character becomes stronger with more levels. Gamers know this system, but if you were to ask them what game was the father of these mechanics, they would probably answer that it was Final Fantasy. The actual answer is a game that spawned a series that has kept up with FF. The game is Dragon Quest, released in the West on the Nintendo Entertainment System as Dragon Warrior.
Darkness has fallen over Tantegel Castle. The princess has been taken by the DragonLord and no one knows quite how to defeat him. One day, a stranger (you) arrives with the intention of defeating the DragonLord. So begins a quest to obtain some of the artifacts needed in order to reach the DragonLord and the princess. A simple story (and in fact one of the weaker parts of this game) but one that’s shadow has grown long over the decades. Everything we think of in RPG’s is here. Turn based combat, using weapons or magic, talking to NPC’s for information, and buying different weapons are all here. This game did not create all of these, but they blended them together perfectly.
Aside from this, Dragon Quest had some technical innovations as well. The game allowed the player to save without using the password system that was in place for other games. The “save slot” was created with this game. The artwork was produced by Akira Toriyama, the creator of DragonBall. Manga was actually instrumental for keeping Dragon Quest alive. The stories increased it’s popularity and lead to interest for the game. It also had one of the coolest things ever in a game. When you start, you can see the final level. It’s right there, the only obstacle is reaching it.
Dragon Quest was able to take it’s franchise for multiple sequels. Somethings changed, some for the better and some for the worst. The popularity of the series is still extremely prevalent today. You may have never played any of the games, but you know what a Blue Slime looks like. All of this, and every Japanese RPG that came after, can trace their linage back to the first game. A game that might have been forgotten instead still influences games today.
