The Japanese role-playing game The Legend of Dragoon, originally released for the PlayStation 1, has managed to become a cult classic, despite initially being seen as an imitator of the famous Final Fantasy series, especially in relation to Final Fantasy 7. Developed by a team of 100 people, many of whom were recent graduates, and with a budget of 15 million dollars, this title was the result of its creators’ passion for providing an original experience.
It was the result of the efforts of Shuhei Yoshida and the team he formed
Shuhei Yoshida, producer of the game and former head of PlayStation Studios, recalls that the creative freedom he received from Sony was crucial in bringing his team together. Among his hires was Yasuyuki Hasebe, combat designer and one of the key figures in the game’s development, although he left the industry shortly after its release. Hasebe had previously worked at Squaresoft on the design of video games like Mario RPG, which influenced the development of the combat system in The Legend of Dragoon.
In a recent interview, Yoshida shared anecdotes about the creation of the title. Despite comparisons to Final Fantasy 7, the team focused on developing its own style and narrative; “We were not told to make any kind of game. We wanted to make this game,” Yoshida stated. This dedication has remained alive, evidenced by the relaunch of the game on PS5 in 2023, which reaffirms its popularity among fans.
Despite his status as a fan favorite, Hasebe retired from the industry just weeks after the game’s release. However, his legacy endures, showing that The Legend of Dragoon remains a valued product for players who experienced it in its time and those who discover it for the first time today.
