Poll: Which do you prefer JRPGs or WRPGs?

[Smooth Operator]

I like and hate a bit of both, WRPGs are usually too constrained with the real world and recently got stuck in casual lane, JRPGs have awesomely ridiculous worlds and stories, but the turn based combat is not something I have patience for anymore and the dialog is usually anime style BS.

I would like to see them come together in a western Final Fantasy, an active combat system and a western character in the midst of it that would mock the silly JRPG character conventions.

 

[Dragoon]

Are you talking about real Japanese role playing games, or a 'JRPG' like Final Fantasy, where there is no role playing and the player simply drives the character to cut-scenes to watch them make all the decisions between battles?

I cant stand Final Fantasy so no. Im more drawn towards stuff like Dragon Quest and Persona.

I don't know if I'd call Persona a role playing game.

Why?

Because the level of role playing in them is minimal and the focus isn't on the role playing.

How is the level of role playing minimum? You are playing the role of the main character for the whole game. It also has all the things associated with RPGs such as leveling, stats and story but oh well each to his own I guess.

 

[Dragoon]

I like and hate a bit of both, WRPGs are usually too constrained with the real world and recently got stuck in casual lane, JRPGs have awesomely ridiculous worlds and stories, but the turn based combat is not something I have patience for anymore and the dialog is usually anime style BS.

I would like to see them come together in a western Final Fantasy, an active combat system and a western character in the midst of it that would mock the silly JRPG character conventions.

I'm surprised no one has done that yet it would be pretty awesome

 

[infohippie]

Mass effect was a mess because the combat was atrocious. Instead of an actual real time must aim and hit your target like an FPS which I was attracted to due to my experience with other JRPGs like Secret of mana. I find out that instead I have to have the little enemy in my "circle" for it to count as a hit, didn't matter if I was precise I just needed my enemy in the target. That was really sloppy and not fun for me as half of the time it would register and the other half it would not. Nevermind the atrocious controls where using magic or "tech" was just as bad where I had to pause the game, select the spell and then cast it.

It sounds like you didn't really understand Mass Effect's combat system. You did have to aim like an FPS. The circle was there to show you where your shot might scatter to, depending on your character's skill level and movement. Didn't you notice the circle shrunk a lot when you stood still, allowing you to be more precise? Or that it shrunk as you increased your skill with that weapon, also allowing you to be more precise? This is also what's behind what you seem to have read as a bug, where sometimes it would hit and sometimes not - sometimes the bullet would land in a part of the circle that your target wasn't in.
I thought it worked really well as a way to mix real-world skill at shooters with the character's developing skill at weapons.
Also, you don't have to pause to use biotics or tech powers, you can bind them to real time controls at any time.

 

[Dragoon]

This pretty much.

So true xD

 

[TiefBlau]

I know of the Japanese culture - I was an avid manga and interactive novel fan.

I'm simply saying games like Final Fantasy are not role playing games.

It's true that JRPG's aren't really RPG's anymore, but that's what we take to calling it now, so I'm okay with that.

Of course, a REAL role-playing game involves actual role-playing, with neither JRPG or WRPG really requires.

This pretty much.

To be fair, it's probably the same way in Japan.

I have a feeling over there, Call of Duty is their Final Fantasy: the butt of every western gaming joke.

Replace "anime BS" with "action movie BS" and you have yourself a western stereotype.

 

[madwarper]

I'm simply saying games like Final Fantasy are not role playing games.

Because the level of role playing in them is minimal and the focus isn't on the role playing.

lolwut?

Perhaps, you wouldn't mind explaining just what you think are the characteristics of a RPG video game that makes it a RPG. Or, in this case, what characteristics you think that FF and SMT lack that precludes them from being classified as RPGs.

Spoiler: Wiki RPG video games: characteristics

Characteristics [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_video_game#Characteristics]
Role-playing video games use much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics as early pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. Generally, the player controls a small number of game characters, usually called a party, and achieves victory by completing a series of quests and reaching the conclusion of a central storyline. Players explore a game world, while solving puzzles and engaging in tactical combat. A key feature of the genre is that characters grow in power and abilities, and characters are typically designed by the player. RPGs rarely challenge a player's physical coordination, with the exception of action role-playing games.

Role-playing video games typically rely on a highly developed story and setting, which is divided into a number of quests. Players control one or several characters by issuing commands, which is performed by the character at an effectiveness determined by that character's numeric attributes. Often these attributes increase each time a character gains a level, and a character's level goes up each time the player accumulates a certain amount of experience.

Role-playing video games also typically attempt to offer more complex and dynamic character interaction than what is found in other video game genres. This usually involves additional focus on the artificial intelligence and scripted behavior of computer-controlled non-player characters.

Party? Check
Quests? Check
Puzzles and tactical combat? Check
Statistical growth? Check
Story and setting? Check

 

[Xaio30]

I like Polish RPGs.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Ok for fuck sake people we go through this same shit everytime can we as a forum not move on from this. If you like WRPGs more than JRPGs that is fine. It is perfectly fine. Just because JRPGs have departed largely for the personal input of Tabletop RPG where the concept originated from does not mean they are not RPGs. Videogame RPGs are vastly different beast from their tabletop counter parts where not every avenue can allowed. In Oblivion was I able to join the Daedric Cult of Mehrunes Dagon and be a harbinger for the Destruction of Mundus? No. In ME could I join Saren and pave the way for the Reapers? No. Other games like Fallout 3 and KoTOR are better in this area where you can actually be a bad guy. I won't ruin the possible endings but if you have played them you know what I mean.

Video game RPGs are more about Stats, Stat related growth, Levels to a degree, quests, having a party that develops over the game and the story and setting than personal roleplaying(although this is on a broad scale). Obviously WRPGs cater to personal input while JRPGs cater to people who prefer a certain type of story(somewhat drawn out and operatic). Most of the personal input in most WRPGs is pointless superficial dribble. The amount of choices made that mean nothing in your experience of the game are staggering. The save function also takes a massive sting out of moral choices. I do have to say WRPGs are getting better when it comes to actually making choices by having ME choices affect other games so I have to give it to them for that.

Before people even go that JRPGs are stagnating WRPGs have stagnated just as much and have as many character templates as JRPGs. I think there was a TVtrops thing about it where they pointed out all the general character personalities. Is that a bad thing? Well no not really I mean there are only so many different types of character personalities you can think up the important thing is to put a new unique spin to it.

OT: I like them both as they both bring unique extremes and problems to each of their games where I can switch between the two subgenres for a completely different experience.

 

[hypovolemia]

The distinction between JRPGs and WRPGs make sense - to a certain extent. There are many elements that are very common in one of those and rare in the other. Then there are also games like Demon's Souls, that blur the line quite heavily. But when you reach the point where you dismiss games because they were made in a certain country it's just plain stupid. And that people rarely agree on what actually constitutes an RPG doesn't help matters at all.

Having said that, while I don't really prefer either one, most of my favourite RPGs are from Japan, like the MegaTen series, the Tales series, or Etrian Odyssey. Still, I also play games like Fallout, Mass Effect and possibly soon The Witcher 2. Limiting myself to either JRPGs or WRPGs just means that I miss many good games.

Also, the JRPG guy looks so happy. Awww.

 

[Pelgrims]

I really don't like JRPGs. I hate random battles and the turn based combat sucks the immersion completly from the game. NOBODY fights like that! They also tend to be grindtastic....

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

Spoiler

And then they made Dragon Age 2 xD

Hey DA2 is an RPG. It might not be a GOOD RPG(depending on your tastes), but atleast it's a game that has Role-playing......

 

[Bostur]

Were any of the good JRPGs ported to the PC? I don't think I have ever seen one.

 

[Sunrider]

I'd go apeshit if someone forced me to pick one over the other, though I tend to enjoy the WRPGs more nowadays, but that's mostly because the newer JRPGs haven't been up to snuff.

 

[Artina89]

I must admit I prefer JRPG's to WRPG's on the basis that, and feel free to correct me, but a lot of WRPG's I have seen tend to be set in the middle ages and that doesn't really interest me that much. However if there are WRPG's that are not like that, hey, I am willing to play something new, just let me know.