Yuji Horii on the Secret Ingredient That’s Kept Dragon Quest Thriving for Nearly 40 Years

Dragon Quest will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026, and the franchise’s momentum is already ramping up with Dragon Quest VII Reimagined scheduled to arrive in early 2026. During a visit to Square Enix’s Tokyo offices, our writer spent two hours with Reimagined, interviewed its development team, and spoke with series creator Yuji Horii about the franchise’s long-running appeal. For additional background, see the Game Informer preview and cover feature linked below.

When asked what lies at the heart of Dragon Quest’s enduring popularity, Horii distilled it to two core principles: warmth and accessibility.

Horii explained that many early computer games felt cold and distant, and he set out to craft Dragon Quest with a more inviting tone — a sense of warmth that welcomes players rather than alienating them. He also prioritized accessibility from the start, choosing platforms like the Nintendo Famicom so more people could experience the game without the barrier of expensive home computers.

Beyond those design choices, Horii believes Dragon Quest endures because it fosters social connections. The series often becomes part of players’ shared memories — friends and family trading tips, older siblings helping younger players through difficult sections, or groups reminiscing about sessions spent together — and those interpersonal ties help the games remain meaningful across generations.

Sitting beside Horii during the conversation was Dragon Quest VII Reimagined producer Takeshi Ichikawa. From our hands-on time, Reimagined preserves the original island-hopping spirit while its refreshed visuals amplify that cozy, welcoming feeling — it invites exploration and comfort in equal measure.

Ichikawa echoed Horii’s perspective and framed the series’ strengths as what he calls the “Horii-esque” qualities: the role-playing framework, the gentle humor woven into dialogue, and the expressive character moments that make scenes feel both epic and personally resonant. Those touches, he says, keep the narrative feeling relevant and charming.

Release details: Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launches on February 5, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

For a deeper look, read Game Informer’s Dragon Quest VII Reimagined digital issue and the cover story, and consider subscribing to access exclusive features on the series’ history and the new Reimagined coverage. (Links below.)

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined product page | Cover reveal and preview | Digital issue | Subscribe to Game Informer

What do you think is Dragon Quest’s secret sauce? Share your thoughts in the comments below.