1. Character Tiers: DRAGON QUEST features classic JRPG classes with clear-cut roles, like martial artists or mages, while Final Fantasy allows for more customization in terms of class and specialization.
2. Visuals: DRAGON QUEST opts for a classic, child-like anime art style as opposed to Final Fantasy’s mature and realistic approach.
3. Storytelling: DRAGON QUEST’s narrative focuses less on the overall plotline and more on the characters, while Final Fantasy tends to drive the story forward with a complex story arc.
4. Turn-Based Combat: Both franchises feature turn-based combat, but DRAGON QUEST focuses more on strategic battles, while Final Fantasy adds more action and special effects.
5. World Exploration: The world of DRAGON QUEST is very traditional in terms of open-world exploration, while Final Fantasy offers more freedom and larger areas to explore.
6. Music: DRAGON QUEST tends to feature more retro-style, orchestrated music, while Final Fantasy leans towards more modern, electronic, and synthesized soundtracks.

DRAGON QUEST and Final Fantasy are two of the biggest and most popular JRPG franchises of all time. Both have their own unique characteristics, from visuals to tone and gameplay, that have shaped the JRPG genre. While some aspects may overlap, there are a few key differences between the two series.

First of all, character tiers and customizability vary significantly between the two. DRAGON QUEST features classic JRPG classes with clear-cut roles, such as martial artists or mages, while Final Fantasy allows for more customization in terms of class and specialization.

In terms of visuals, DRAGON QUEST opts for a classic, child-like anime art style, while Final Fantasy takes a more mature and realistic approach. This also applies in terms of storytelling; DRAGON QUEST’s narrative focuses less on the overall plotline and more on the characters, while Final Fantasy tends to drive the story forward with a complex story arc.

Turn-based combat is a staple in both franchises, but DRAGON QUEST focuses more on strategic battles, while Final Fantasy adds more action and special effects. Similarly, world exploration is quite different; The world of DRAGON QUEST is more traditional in terms of open-world exploration, while Final Fantasy offers more freedom and larger areas to explore.

Finally, the music is yet another major difference between the two; DRAGON QUEST tends to feature more retro-style, orchestrated music, while Final Fantasy leans towards more modern, electronic, and synthesized soundtracks.

All in all, these are just a few of the main differences between DRAGON QUEST and Final Fantasy. Which one is better? Well, that all comes down to personal preference.