“Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined producer expresses admiration for Persona 3, as the director highlights Final Fantasy and a unique 2009 JRPG.”

The lead developers behind the turn-based RPG Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined are, not surprisingly, enthusiasts of other turn-based titles. Producer Takeshi Ichikawa and director Masato Yagi recently shared their gaming preferences in a Reddit AMA, highlighting their love for series like Persona and Final Fantasy, along with a 2009 JRPG that might raise some eyebrows.

When asked about their favorite turn-based RPGs, Ichikawa expressed his admiration for the Persona series, particularly Persona 3. Yagi chimed in, stating, “For me, it’s probably the Final Fantasy series. I also have a fondness for The Last Remnant, which I worked on.” It’s interesting to note the shift in recent Final Fantasy games away from traditional turn-based combat.

The Last Remnant, which debuted on Xbox 360 in 2008, made its way to PC in 2009 and was later remastered for PS4 in 2018, followed by Switch and mobile in 2019. This title was significant as it was the first Square Enix game to utilize Unreal Engine. While it received mixed reviews due to its unconventional pacing, the use of Unreal and the limited availability of JRPGs on Xbox helped it gain a dedicated fanbase.

A player’s choice among Persona 3, 4, and 5 can reveal a lot about their gaming preferences, especially since these are the entries most modern fans have experienced, and the ones Atlus seems keen on re-releasing. The darker tone of Persona 3 aligns well with some of Ichikawa’s insights shared elsewhere.

Regarding “the essence” of Dragon Quest, Ichikawa emphasizes “the scenario—grand in scale, yet somehow still feeling close and relatable.” Specifically about Dragon Quest 7, he notes, “The story of confronting the world’s absurdities and growing beyond them is one of Dragon Quest VII’s greatest appeals, so in this title as well, we have rebuilt the experience in a way that preserves that very charm.”

The mention of Persona is particularly relevant, as the recent demo of Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined showcases a feature reminiscent of modern Persona games: players can attack enemies to gain a combat advantage or even eliminate weaker foes instantly.

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined may be a remake of a nearly 26-year-old JRPG classic, but players should be aware that Square Enix has cautioned against posting spoilers, warning that it may “temporarily or permanently suspend” accounts for doing so.