First look - Dragon Quest V [US] Better Localization?

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

Malachi said:

Riachu said:

exindguy said:

Allow me to clarify: in the context of what SE expected, no, it didn't sell very well, especially when we're talking about the PS2 at the height of its game.

I think you may have a point (about remake-itis) but there's also the case that, as far as Westerners are concerned, DQ doesn't really exist and is certainly not a franchise on par with Final Fantasy (yes, I know: duh). It also isn't very 'hardcore' in that it's bright, shiny and, for the most part, happy, with little of the angst and rank cynicism that pervades much of its peers, something that Westerners haven't been keen on for a very, very long time.

If that's true, then why are many of the angsty protagonists of JRPGs hated on by Western gamers.

 

 

The most hated protagonanist are probably the FF one because they are "angsty" and "look like girl" yet it's the best selling serie in the west. These are the most hated due to there popularity, in order for something to gather a big amount of hate it need to be know, if something is not popular enough then it's just ignored.

Indeed.  And it can be said that a lot of why Final Fantasy sells is based on its name brand and not so much based on the actual game content.  Its the same for Dragon Quest in Japan.  The trouble is, that name brand recognition has never been able to build up in America as the series has constantly had localization issues on the NES, GB and PSX.

Its also a possibility that the reason Dragon Quest VIII sold so well is that it came out at the peak of the PS2s lifespan and it came bundled with a Preview disk for FFXII.  Again, that Final Fantasy brand recognition may have helped sell it, just like the Metal Gear Solid name recognition helped sell Zone of Enders at the start of the PS2 lifespan with a 'Preview Disk'.

Whatever the case may be, the Dragon Quest series is faultering yet again.  And a lack of advertising and continual bad localizations is NOT helping.  This should have been a no-brainer, setting up a second, high selling franchise outside of Japan.  But they didn't handle it correctly.  Whichever stance you want to take it from, either a lack of advertising or failed localization practices (or both as I view it).