'Dragon Quest 7 and 8' to Get Western Release, Says Creator
The Japanese creator behind two role-playing video games for Nintendo 3DS may have inadvertently revealed that the two games will be coming to Western shores soon. The video games are the widely popular "Dragon Quest 7: Warriors of Eden" and "Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King," created by Yuji Horii for the Nintendo 3DS mobile console.
According to a report in Tech Times, Horii, who was speaking at the Japan Expo 2015 held in Paris this past weekend, was quoted by different sources saying that both games is being localized and will eventually be released in French.
The different reports also speculated that French was the language being mentioned because the event was held in France and it was not too far-fetched to assume that an English version is also in the works.
Another report in Gematsu said that Horii made the surprise announcement during his speech at the expo about the upcoming "Dragon Quest Heroes" for the PlayStation 4. Those who were present during the speech posted different tweets about his revelation, which apparently took the game's publisher Square Enix by surprise also:
"Yuji Horii has just announced Dragon Quest VII and VIII will be released 'in French'…?! Apparently a last minute announcement here at Japan Expo. Guess that means both titles at coming West on 3DS. I asked someone from Square Enix and it seems Horii dropping the bomb wasn't planned." (via @jkermarrec, 2)
"At Japan Expo, a few hours after our interview, Yuji Horii has confirmed here that Dragon Quest VII and VIII are coming 'in French.'" (via @FFRing)
"Horii actually did mention 3DS for Dragon Quest VII and VIII localization. The translator got upset when he did." (via @RedMakuzawa)
Dragon Quest 7 was originally released in 2001 for PlayStation. A remake for the Nintendo 3DS was released in February 2013. Dragon Quest 8 was released in 2004 for the PS2, and its Nintendo 3DS remake will be available in Japan this August.
Square Enix has not confirmed if the French or English localizations are indeed in the works, and when they will be released in France or the U.S.