Dragon Quest is undeniably the stronger JRPG series. Through each numbered iteration, it has stayed true to the JRPG formula and has prioritized storytelling and world building over how flashy attacks move or how interactive battles feel. Admittedly, I would enjoy it if DQ XI could branch out just a bit since it will be a PS4 title, but I also don't need them to abandon their gameplay mainstays,
Final Fantasy has definitely shifted to western appeal to try to make sales due to falling popularity in Japan over the past decade or so. It's a model that has worked well. The general response from the sample in this thread seems to show that SE has been successful in marketing to the west with FF while keeping DQ more focused on Japan. Personally, I've gotten a bit tired of Final Fantasy as every iteration since and including X has failed to grab me because of linearity issues, character issues, and a constantly in flux battle system that has yet to figure out if it wants to be action or more traditional. I'm really hoping XV turns my opinion around.
All that aside, It may not help DQ in the west that the company that translates the games has flat out butchered story elements multiple times in the past to add silly accents and bad jokes. I have no idea why, to this day, that is considered okay. It's like SE doesn't think people outside of Japan will take the game seriously unless the tone of the text is ridiculous. I imagine this may lead to a western perspective that DQ games are a bit sillier, while FF games maintain a more serious tone.
