Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined producer says he always makes sure to have a cleric in his party because he's "not particularly skilled at RPGs," but I'd say that's just good advice

1. Games
2. JRPGs
3. Dragon Quest
4. Dragon Quest VII

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined producer says he always makes sure to have a cleric in his party because he's "not particularly skilled at RPGs," but I'd say that's just good advice News By Jordan Gerblick published 30 January 2026

What would you do without Zing?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Square Enix) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is finally here, and I have some sage wisdom for newcomers that I was reminded of thanks to recent comments from producer Takeshi Ichikawa.

In a recent Reddit AMA, Ichikawa was asked what his favorite job is from the newly overhauled vocation system, which lets any party member "moonlight" as two vocations at once, and he fell back on a tried-and-true essential: the cleric, or priest as it's more commonly localized these days.

"I'm not particularly skilled at RPGs, so I often put a Cleric in my party," he said. "With their job traits, they can heal the whole team, so they really help support the party in tough moments."

You may like

• "I really love the Persona series – especially Persona 3," says Dragon Quest 7 remake dev, director names Final Fantasy
• Final Fantasy 7 writer says Dragon Quest taught him that protagonists should be "self-insert for the player", but realized "I shouldn't be so set on the idea that a silent protagonist is the only way"
• After just an hour playing Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, I'm charmed and unsettled in equal measure – this JRPG remake has surprisingly ambitious storytelling goals

I think what's happening here is that Ichikawa is very humbly offering new players some extremely useful advice: magic healers are always good to have on hand in any RPG, really, but in Dragon Quest it's your fastest track to learning Zing, a crucial revival spell that'll save you from having to waste rare Yggdrasil leaves or spend time finding a church to revive party members. And that's not even mentioning their healing spells, which indeed, can heal entire parties at once and can really come in handy in the early-to-mid game grind.

As for director Masato Yagi, his preferred vocation is martial artist. "Their defense isn't very high, but landing a single decisive blow to turn the tables. Maybe that kind of fighting style just appeals to me," said Yagi.

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says Final Fantasy protagonists "speak a lot," forming a "key difference" between the two iconic JRPG series: "You're not necessarily becoming the protagonist."

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Nintendo Switch 2 Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming Platforms Nintendo Xbox PlayStation Jordan GerblickSocial Links Navigation

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more "I really love the Persona series – especially Persona 3," says Dragon Quest 7 remake dev, director names Final Fantasy    Final Fantasy 7 writer says Dragon Quest taught him that protagonists should be "self-insert for the player", but realized "I shouldn't be so set on the idea that a silent protagonist is the only way"    After just an hour playing Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, I'm charmed and unsettled in equal measure – this JRPG remake has surprisingly ambitious storytelling goals    Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says Final Fantasy protagonists "speak a lot," forming a "key difference" between the two iconic JRPG series: "You're not necessarily becoming the protagonist"    Bless him, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says "warmth" and "accessibility" are key to the almost-40-year-old JRPG series' enduring success    JRPG grind is dead, the advanced Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake auto-battle system killed it – though devs say players may still "be in trouble if they get careless"    Latest in Dragon Quest Square Enix says don't spoil Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined or it might ban you from playing    Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says Final Fantasy protagonists "speak a lot," forming a "key difference" between the two iconic JRPG series: "You're not necessarily becoming the protagonist"    Bless him, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says "warmth" and "accessibility" are key to the almost-40-year-old JRPG series' enduring success    At 100+ hours, Dragon Quest 7 is an enormous JRPG, so in the Reimagined remake "a few of the stories which weren't 100% relevant to the main storyline have just been cut entirely"    Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined lead "had a lot of fun" playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 while remaking the classic JRPG: "It really keeps what makes turn-based games great"    Dragon Quest creator wants to "oversee everything" in the legendary JRPG series until he dies: "I think the next goal for me is to witness the 50th Anniversary [2036]"    Latest in News Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined lead says he always has a cleric in his party because he's "not particularly skilled at RPGs"    Highguard gets its first major patch, dev says it "significantly" improves overall stability and reduces crashes by 90%    The spirit of Garry's Mod takes residence in World of Warcraft with a 5v5 Prop Hunt mode set to hit the MMO this year    God of War show goes full Ragnarok as it casts Odin and Thor    Baldur's Gate 3 was $60 in Early Access and "I never loved that approach," No Rest For the Wicked dev says of new price    Silent Hill legend doesn't think the franchise has changed, since Konami's "philosophical approach" is still the same    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1This hidden role board game makes me feel like a puppet master, so Traitors fans should listen up
2. 2Cairn review: "This climber has a grip on me – even when it loses its footing with awkward systems, the challenge remains surmountable"
3. 3The Doom Arena Board Game is hell on Earth (in the best way) | Preview
4. 4This award-winning board game is a five star must-have
5. 5Code Vein 2 review: "This vampire take on Elden Ring almost works, but the dungeons themselves lack bite"

1. 1Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"
2. 228 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
3. 3Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
4. 4Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
5. 5Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"

1. 1Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"
2. 2Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
3. 3A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a surprisingly heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
4. 4Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
5. 5Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”