Quest Corporation

Yasumi Matsuno's creative direction at Quest established conventions that influenced tactical RPGs for decades. His narrative approach rejected the clear good-versus-evil frameworks common in JRPGs. In Tactics Ogre, every faction has legitimate grievances; heroes make terrible choices; and "victory" often comes at devastating cost. This moral complexity was radical in 1995 and remains unusual today.

The class and unit design in Ogre Battle games emphasized strategic team composition over individual character building. Players managed armies, not just heroes. The rock-paper-scissors elemental and physical typing systems required thoughtful squad construction, while the alignment and chaos frames mechanics hidden beneath the surface encouraged experimentation.

Matsuno's writing drew from historical and literary sources unusual in game development. The Biblical and demonological references in character and location names, the influence of European history, and the intricate political machinations reflected genuine research and literary ambition. This erudition gave Ogre Battle games a distinct texture.

The studio's technical design emphasized clarity. Despite complex systems, Ogre Battle games presented information cleanly. Grid-based tactical maps provided clear sight lines and terrain information. Unit compositions were visible at a glance. This interface design philosophy — complex systems, clear presentation — would later influence Matsuno's work on Final Fantasy Tactics and XII.

Quest's small size meant games received intensive attention from core creative staff. Matsuno's involvement touched every aspect of Tactics Ogre, from story to systems to presentation. This auteur-driven development produced cohesive games where narrative and mechanics reinforced each other. The acquisition by Square preserved the talent but ended the specific creative environment that produced these masterpieces.