OMG this thread has become enormous!
1/ If you check worldwide sales, you'll see that the PS3 version of FFXIII alone outsells Mass Effect 2, so Mass Effect or any western RPG has not become the dominant reference. (yes I know I'm getting stubborn with this)
2/ Dragon Quest is not half as popular as FF in the west, so not a chance to see it overtake FF in the near future. Besides, no detail has been released about DQX so far...
3/ It's the same thing in every FF debate : some see the series collapse at FFX, others left after FFVIII, some didn't like FFIX... I do believe that FF has in fact not really changed over those years (even if XIII sees somewhat big changes). The values are the same throughout the series, the battle system is every time different and better, characters design is always on top, story telling is still excellent and echoes to our societies' problems (racism, religion, dictatorship, etc.). The thing is that... PEOPLE change. Many players abandoned the series after X or XII, because they found more attractive software elsewhere : that's just normal. But people who ditched FF because of a few mishaps here and there shouldn't call themselves fans. Personally, I will support the series even in the depth of hell : THAT is being a fan, because FF is far more than just a game you play for some time. It is something that drives you all your life long.
