Yoshinori Kitase, a veteran of Final Fantasy, believes that the marriage system elevates Dragon Quest 5 as the top JRPG in the franchise, reflecting on how life perspectives shift with age.

In a cozy chat with Yuji Horii, the mastermind behind Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy icon Yoshinori Kitase revealed why Dragon Quest 5 holds a special place in his heart, primarily due to its marriage mechanic. Their conversation delves into the essence of the series, with Horii providing additional context.

During their discussion, Kitase emphasized the unique ability of the Dragon Quest series to encapsulate each game’s theme in a single word, noting that Dragon Quest 5 exemplifies this concept perfectly.

“Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride,” Kitase stated when asked about his favorite title. “The narrative revolves around marriage, naturally. Where did that idea come from? It was all about making choices back then.”

He elaborated, “I’ve mentioned this before, but each Dragon Quest can be summed up with one word that captures its essence. This concept shines brightest in Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride. Back when I chose Bianca, I think if I had to decide now, I might lean towards Nera. It’s fascinating how your perspective shifts as you grow older.”

Horii, for his part, expressed surprise at the players’ reactions to the marriage choice. “People still discuss it,” he noted. “I didn’t expect it to become such a talking point. I wanted players to genuinely consider their decision.”

He added, “I assumed most would go for Bianca, but I’ve heard many women prefer Nera. It seems they feel like they want to avoid the easy choice of their childhood friend.”

Horii believes that the “warmth” and “accessibility” of the nearly 40-year-old JRPG series are crucial to its lasting appeal.