Japanese RPG's and why I don't like 'em

[Vedalken]

Before I say this, let me announce that I love Bioware RPG's. That being said, I hate JRPG's, the reason for this being is that I can't change the story. Well, there are many other factors, like the fact that there are spunky androgynous male teens fapping about with their odd hair styles and weapons the size of motorcycles. And the colossal dragons made of fire that randomly appear the second you step on a certain daisy in the middle of a field. But the main reason is that for an RPG, JRPG's are very linear, sure you can go over the landscape as much as you want, and fight every imp you'd like. But the story will remain the same. My question(s) are do you like JRPG's? If so do you have reasons to support them? Or are you like me and think they suck?

 

[TsunamiWombat]

CAN'T TALK LONG, PLAYING FINAL FANTASY 13.

Story and character development, mostly. Something Bioware does very well for a western developer, and is more or less alone in.

 

[Therumancer]

Before I say this, let me announce that I love Bioware RPG's. That being said, I hate JRPG's, the reason for this being is that I can't change the story. Well, there are many other factors, like the fact that there are spunky androgynous male teens fapping about with their odd hair styles and weapons the size of motorcycles. And the colossal dragons made of fire that randomly appear the second you step on a certain daisy in the middle of a field. But the main reason is that for an RPG, JRPG's are very linear, sure you can go over the landscape as much as you want, and fight every imp you'd like. But the story will remain the same. My question(s) are do you like JRPG's? If so do you have reasons to support them? Or are you like me and think they suck?

I like RPGs in general, I prefer WRPGs, but feel both JRPGs and WRPGs have their own advantages and disadvantages. Nobody has yet to really succeed in combining the best elements of both in my mind.

 

[Grayjack]

Most JRPG's are like the ones you describe. There are exceptions to them, such as Nocturne. All SMT games are an exception.

 

[ldbmikey86]

Don't like 'em but for slightly different reasons. The main one being that they give in to the JRPG genre classification bandwagon (which could be explained more in-depth but most people know the general bits and cliches that define a JRPG), and try to innovate fuck-all in the name of gaming. There was once a time though, that they were fresh and fun. But that time is long gone [for me, anyway].

 

[Howlingwolf214]

I have the occasional jRPG itch. I get it because of the bosses.

I've found that the jRPG bosses tend to be the most tension-creating. Then you have one guy left, with only a few HP, and this is his last attack. He runs up and stabs it and it collapses to the ground with an earth shattering crash. That was an exciting moment indeed.

 

[Heart of Darkness]

Oh, look, it's this thread. Again. By another person who paints all 'JRPGs' as FFVII. Again.

I like 'JRPGs' because I prefer structure. I don't like faffing about in an open world because it detracts from the story.

If you don't like them, fine. Don't play them. Just don't go starting threads that'll turn into forest fires.

 

[Wolfram23]

Meh choice in games is an alright feature, but what I like about the JRPGs I've played is they usually do really good combat, lots of items and upgrades, and tho linear the stories are pretty good and engaging. If they ever make a hybrid RPG (FF style combat with a more sandbox world/choice systems) I would probably shit myself. (or not, but it would be great)

I loved Fallout 3 in all aspects. I didn't like DA:O for the combat. Demon's Souls is a unique JRPG which I absolutely LOVE. I have FF XII sitting here on my work dest just waiting till I get home but I think I'll like it. I really really liked Skies of Arcadia Legends (NGC JRPG with shit graphics).

 

[Vedalken]

I actually have an exception to JRPG's and thats pokemon games. I dont know why but i dont mind all the things I hate about JPRG's while playing any of the pokemon games.

 

[Iwata]

JRPG fans usually put me off JRPG's, ironically.

That and the FABULOUS art style you usually see in them. The one exception is Persona 3. I quite enjoy that game.

 

[_Serendipity_]

Mmmm... I think I need to find me some marshmallows and skewers, to take advantage of all these open flames...

But in all seriousness, I genuinely ask if you've ever played a JRPG, rather than listen to somewhat negative reviews and discussions of them?

JRPGs and WRPGs are different beasts, and of course you'll be let down if you go into one expecting the other. When it comes to storytelling, WRPGs excel with their choice and open worlds, JRPGs excel at linear stories that allow a cohesive and structured narrative to be told.

 

[Vedalken]

Oh, look, it's this thread. Again. By another person who paints all 'JRPGs' as FFVII. Again.

I like 'JRPGs' because I prefer structure. I don't like faffing about in an open world because it detracts from the story.

If you don't like them, fine. Don't play them. Just don't go starting threads that'll turn into forest fires.

sorry heartofdarkness I'm new here. I just wanted some opinions.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

CAN'T TALK LONG, PLAYING FINAL FANTASY 13.

This.

But add the fact that choices don't make an RPG, stats and leveling (as the focus of combat) do. I said as the focus, or that would make any game with stats on its guns and a ranking system an RPG.

 

[Composer]

"we dont take kindly to ur kind around here"
not the jrpg dislikers, we have all kinds on the escapist
i mean the people who start kinda usless threads.

 

[Vedalken]

Well, The first final fantasy games I played were Final fantasy X and the one with the 3 chicks ( X2 or something) And they really turned me off from the whole genre. The first WRPG I played was KOTOR, and I felt it was a great system, how My decisions changed the world. Then Mass Effect came out and I was mad at Bioware, Though i don't really know why, I guess the combat just turned me off, but it was good story telling still, I feel Dragon Age: Origins let me forgive them.

 

[Vedalken]

"we dont take kindly to ur kind around here"
not the jrpg dislikers, we have all kinds on the escapist
i mean the people who start kinda usless threads.

Again sorry, I didn't know that was the policy with you guys here. Thought this was just a general discussion place.

 

[TheSupremeForce]

And here I thought that BioWare largely made JRPG's but with greater character design options. For instance, Dragon Age is closer to Final Fantasy than it is to Oblivion. I don't mean that as an insult, since I'm a huge BW fan as well as a JRPG fan.

 

[Delock]

Um, lots of games are linear, not just JRPGs. And a lot of the games out, you can't change the story, or you get a "choose one of two endings" option. Now I do get that the main complaint is that you're playing an RPG, but really that's more refering to the fact that it features stats when you're talking about videogames. I have never understood this part of the arguement, nor will I ever I guess.

As for the reason I like them: most of them are colorful (something a lot of other genres like to neglect these days in favor of grey and brown), you can tell apart the characters instantly (probably due to afforementioned color), creature design is more often than not really creative, they are often a whole new world rather than just reality with a slight change, YOU TAKE DOWN GOD (or the equivalent, which I hear is something you should brag about), you do the previous before you are 30 years old and are scruffy brown haired people that populate the western gaming world (most people think of this as a negative, but I like to hear myself say "Holy sh*t! I just made a teenager kill a god!" more than I like to hear myself say "Holy sh*t! I just made a pale half naked buff man kill a god...again!" Relax, I actually do like God of War), and I like not limiting myself to genres just because other gamers don't like it.

 

[Vedalken]

Delock, I know games are linear for a majority, however i am comparing JRPG's with WRPG's.

 

[Denamic]

Why does people seem to think that other people care about what they don't like?

I do not like lemons, because they are sour. Discuss.