The Journey of The Legend of Dragoon
The Legend of Dragoon is a nostalgic title for many. Released by Sony for the original PlayStation, this game tried to capture the magic of classic turn-based RPGs. It wasn’t just another game; it was born from a blend of ambition and circumstance.
In a recent chat, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida reminisced about the game’s creation. He described how he was tasked with expanding the internal team at Sony, which led to a unique project. "Final Fantasy VII was the big game at that time, and we wanted to create something just as captivating,” he shared. “We were young and a bit naive, but we had the energy to dream big,” he added in an interview with YouTuber Kyle Bosman.
The real spark behind The Legend of Dragoon was Yasuyuki Hasebe. After leaving Square Soft, where he helped design the iconic battle system for Super Mario RPG, Hasebe joined Yoshida’s team with a clear goal: to craft a new RPG. This collaboration led to the gathering of fresh talent, turning an initial concept into a gaming phenomenon.
While Hasebe was the visionary for the game’s mechanics, Yoshida and his growing team faced their own challenges. Often, game developers in Japan didn’t switch companies easily, making Hasebe’s move quite rare. Most of the studio was made up of new graduates, lacking experience but full of enthusiasm. Yoshida initially worked without a budget, yet his team eventually grew to about 100 members. This hard work and creativity resulted in a game that cost Sony around $16 million to produce.
One of the standout features of The Legend of Dragoon was its stunning 30 minutes of CGI cutscenes, which helped create a sense of grandeur. The graphics, a mix of pre-rendered backgrounds and sleek polygonal models, compared favorably to other leading titles of the time. The game’s battle system introduced a timed mechanic that made combat feel like a rhythm game—a twist that Hasebe had previously envisioned in Super Mario RPG and continued to inspire future games, such as those in the Paper Mario series.
Despite its hefty production costs, The Legend of Dragoon regained its investment through strong sales, particularly in the U.S. Yoshida recalled, “We eventually recouped that cost, but it wasn’t enough to lead to a sequel or a spiritual successor.” Fans have often expressed their desire for a continuation of the saga, raising buzz on social media platforms like Twitter. The hashtag #LegendOfDragoon2 often trends when discussions about potential remakes or sequels arise, showing the game’s lasting impact.
Today, The Legend of Dragoon remains accessible, even making its way to the PS5. Players can now rediscover this classic adventure, reigniting the hope for a sequel in the hearts of many loyal fans. Will we ever see The Legend of Dragoon 2? Time will tell, but the legacy of the original lives on.
For more insights about the evolution of RPGs, check out this report from GameIndustry.biz.
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Source linkThe Legend of Dragoon, RPG, PlayStation, Video games developed in Japan, Single-player video games, Mario, Shuhei Yoshida, Super Mario RPG, Kyle Bosman, Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Final Fantasy, Yasuyuki Hasebe, Kotaku
