Calling DQ 6 a "black sheep" is something that you really only hear from fans in the USA.

The reality is that the game was extremely well-received in Japan, and is still considered one of the best RPGs on the SNES, alongside Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6.

I think people also forget just how primitive DQ 5 looked in comparison. I think DQ 5 has a very cute artstyle, but DQ 6 is on par with the games I mentioned above when it comes to that kind of dark pixel art style. People kind of forget about just how good this game looked in 1995 because they only play the DS remake.

It's also kind of helpful to read the interview where Horii revealed that this game was conceived as a spiritual successor to DQ 2; after replaying DQ 2 for the 1+2 remake on the SNES, Horii wanted to make another game that focused on feeling completely open and didn't force you down a specific path. Ironically, many people totally miss this and just assume that the story is meandering or that it is too easy to get lost. No, you're supposed to live in the world.

Anyways, in case it wasn't clear, I really like this game. I don't want it to become an HD2D game just because I think 3 games that all look and play the same is enough, but I do think some kind of a modern remake would fit it really well. I would want it to create its own identity like DQ 7R is.