Poll: Do you prefer western or japanese RPG's?

[Ieyland]

I know someone's gonna barge in here and rant about how RPG's are RPG's and we shouldn't categorize them, but for me they are vastly different.

I like JRPG's because the stories always felt more personal to me, I feel sad when a character dies. In western RPG's I never get emotional when a character dies because there was no connection to begin with. However, I still prefer western RPGs, I guess when you grow up with something it's hard to shake off.

 

[Dragon_of_red]

I like them both and play them both equally.

I pretty much just like all RPG's, as long as it just doesnt suck in general.

 

[Omikron009]

Most definitely western RPGs. As far as I know you don't generally create your own character or shape their choices and adventure over the course of the game. I'd hesitate to call a game like that an RPG, even if there were classes and skills to upgrade and experience points and so forth, because you're not actually playing a role.

 

[skeliton112]

Western. Everything yahtzee has every said about JRPGs sums up my thoughts.

 

[swordless]

I prefer Western. It's not to say that I haven't enjoyed some JRPG's but I play a lot more Western ones. They are generally more free than JRPG's.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

i love both equally, i have greatly enjoyed games from both categories, and in wrpg's i've experienced some major differences in the way some companies go about their rpg's so i dont really like grouping them together, therefore it just is a company to company/ game to game difference really

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

I actually like both because the stories that happen keep me interested enough to play them and do any other extra things. The only critique i have for JRPG's though are the characters because there's always at one whiny little androgynous teen or overly-hyper character.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Gee. Haven't heard this question before...during this month.

The answer has been, is, and will always be: both, goddammit.

 

[Tony2077]

i like both but i tend to prefer jrpgs since I'm an anime freak or otaku but i still like it dubbed in English

 

[acosn]

JRPGs tend to want to tell you the story.

The problem with this is that a lot of it is lost in translation on multiple levels. Typically this can end up leading to a ridiculous translation that basically leaves a broken story. Best case scenario you get games that deliver a good story like BOF2, Fire Emblem...whatever (the first GBA one) and Skies of Arcadia but also tend to have generally obsolete gameplay. At worst you....well I don't need to go there. It isn't mockingly referred to as, "Lets play dress up!" without a good reason.

WRPGs tend to want you to tell your own story.

The problem with this is that a lot of it is lost in ambiguity. At best you're given games like Fallout 3 where you have what some might call an illusion of choice- the core story doesn't really change based on your actions. Worst case scenario you get games like (loosely) Eve Online where they effective have no story at all and basically give you a sand box, some twigs and tell you to make the Eiffel Tower.

 

[Tony2077]

hmm about time it showed up

 

[King Kupofried]

I prefer JRPGs. I find the characters to be much more vibrant, entertaining and overall more memorable than most Western RPGs I have played. Less customization and more linear, yes they are, but I don't really consider it a bad thing, in my own feelings because of these the story and gameplay is often much tighter with what they give you; and I often feel less at risk of buggy AI, quests or abilities.

 

[Binerexis]

I've just realised that I've only ever played one JRPG and I didn't really devote anywhere near the required time for it. I liked how the game worked and how big it was but I disliked how it takes hours to do everything.

 

[Tony2077]

I've just realised that I've only ever played one JRPG and I didn't really devote anywhere near the required time for it. I liked how the game worked and how big it was but I disliked how it takes hours to do everything.

Which one was it?

 

[Erana]

Personally, I find that alternating between genres makes me able to enjoy the other all the more. I like 'em both, and have moods. Currently, I'm in a WRPG mood.

 

[Binerexis]

I've just realised that I've only ever played one JRPG and I didn't really devote anywhere near the required time for it. I liked how the game worked and how big it was but I disliked how it takes hours to do everything.

Which one was it?

Final Fantasy 7 unless any and all RPG's from Japan count in which case I've played Paper Mario too.

 

[Flour]

Strategic RPG, which IIRC is originally Japanese... Doesn't matter, it includes games like Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics and Disgaea.

Which is weird because it's a genre I avoided and hated for a very long time. They're probably the only 'hardcore' games left with massive amounts of gameplay.

Most definitely western RPGs. As far as I know you don't generally create your own character or shape their choices and adventure over the course of the game. I'd hesitate to call a game like that an RPG, even if there were classes and skills to upgrade and experience points and so forth, because you're not actually playing a role.

You mean the choices that affect nothing, characters that are always the same in voice and general(body, most of the time) appearance, the same three classes(mage, warrior and rogue) and absolutely no real choice over what you're allowed to do?

Just because wRPGs hide it better doesn't mean they're any different compared to jRPGs.

 

[HolidayBrick]

I'm playing through three JRPGs at the moment and I love every one of them.

I've tried a few of the more highly acclaimed WRPGs and I've only really gotten into the Fallout series... I think it's the unrelenting influence of Tolkien's universe combined with the existence of orcs and trolls. I can't deal with those at all.