What series should be the "mascot" for JRPGs?

[Pseudopod]

I know that it will continue to be defined by Final Fantasy, but I'd say SMT would be it if I had a choice in the matter. They have a lot of the defining traits of the genre that FF shares: lots of stats and an elements system, collecting, leveling up, and they are mostly turn based. The settings and artwork in them are outside the norm, though, and I like that they offer more challenge than most JRPGs and often require the player to make hard choices. It seems like major SMT releases are all getting localized these days.

I like the idea of the Tales series, but they seem to be really unreliable about what gets released in the US. They also tend to have a lot of anime cliches that easily put people off, even though every Tales game I've played as developed a lot of depth once I got into the meat of the story.

 

[Marsell]

Disgaea series
for YEARS of gameplay

 

[RandallJohn]

Dragon Quest. For me it's no contest. That series is amazing.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

i've never fully gotten into it..but id say dragon quest. the new one looks fun as hell, yet still deeming back to the way jrpg's are meant to be. ff has kind of gone off that road...not saying its a really bad thing, just saying its not jrpg to the core anymore.

 

[Judgement101]

I honestly think Kingdom Hearts, HEY! It's made by Square so it is a JRPG by me, or Persona.

 

[Quaidis]

Personally, a mascot should be either from FF7 or ChronoTrigger.

CT would be the better option. Even if it hasn't had any sequels in the last 10+ years, it has been rererereleased repeated on many platforms. The DS's latest edition added a dungeon and stuff.

It's the epitome of what everyone considers a good jewel of jrpgs. You can mention ChronoTrigger and people will know what you mean. And it's a game you will repeatedly come back to.


That saying... Some character from Chrono. Maybe Chrono himself, or perhaps Frog? Who doesn't like Robo?




FF7 is the other well-known mascot for jrpgs simply due to everyone knowing who Cloud and Sephiroth are from pictures, even if they've never touched the game. It's also had sequels and spin-offs for years now, but those aren't nearly as good as the original.


It's akin to Miyazaki. The two Ghibli mascots are Totoro (or sub-totoro) and those little ash balls with eyes - which also pretty much originates from the same movie. The movie is old. There are no Totoro sequels, they didn't have to think up new impressive mascots per every movie release to keep up with the trend. Even if people don't know Totoro, they can equate the lovable fluffy monster to the Ghibli movies, regardless of the movie. The mascot 'game' to define jrpgs doesn't have to be new. It just has to be something or someone that everyone is going to register as being part of an rpg that everyone knows.

 

[Raziel_Likes_Souls]

I would third or fourth SMT

Seeing how SMT tends to have multiple spin offs and that opens up quite a few options for different people ,and it usually subverts JRPG conventions.Though something tells me summoning Lucifer and killing God in a game would not sit right with some.To say the least.

While being Jesus/the Japanese equivalent of Adam. But then again, that's a part of the fun. And besides, weren't we killing demons in hell during the 80's? It shouldn't be that bad.

But, on topic, I guess I might say SMT, but that's because I like my JRPG's to have an urban/post-apocalyptic setting and to be as crazy as Hell. That, and they know how to make stock characters interesting. Unlike Square-Enix. I haven't liked most of Square's characters since FF VI. That's just me though, most of 'em weren't too badly written though.

But, maybe I oughta play some more franchises before saying anything.

 

[Lullabye]

Prinny Can I really be the Hero?
for the sheer win factor.

 

[Mr Scott]

I'm gonna have to say the Dragon Quest characters, seeing as it is one of the oldest JRPG franchises ever.

 

[thenoblitt]

For as long as I have known the genre, it has been defined by Final Fantasy. And it will continue to be, regardless of what anyone wishes.

If you had a choice, what JRPGs franchise would have you be the "mascot" for the genre?

Do you think that it should still be FF? Do you have another franchise in mind?

There are a few catches here:

The franchise has to still be in development and has to regularly be localized for audiences outside of Japan, so you can't choose dead franchises. Or Japan only franchises. And the series has to have a few titles under it's belt...Let's go with a minimum of 3. And a semi-regular release schedule, preferably at least one game per console generation.

Personally, I'd go with the "Tales of..." series, because it's featured the now-popular RPG trend of real-time combat since it's beginning, random battles have been gone since AT LEAST Symphonia on the Gamecube, it's featured local multiplayer and multiple playable characters, too. The story in the games tends to be quite rich, with high quality visuals and music. I've only played Phantasia, Destiny, Abyss, Symphonia, Vesperia, and "the World", though. Correct me if I'm wrong here.

My runner-up is SMT [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megami_Tensei].

FYI: I liked FF13, so I don't think that FF is "dead", by any means. I'm just saying that I think that better franchises exist.

god damnit i was all excited to pop in and be like hey guys tales of gaming series is amazing and should be the poster child of the jrpg then i come to find out that the op has beaten me to the punch

 

[Akihiko]

People need to get this idea that JRPG's need to evolve out of their heads. JRPG's have evolved too much already to satisfy complainers who don't play JRPG's anyway.

Ever notice how JRPG's sell well on the DS but not well on the consoles? The DS (and GBA) has ports of older JRPG's while the console have these new "evolved" JRPG's. It seems clear that more people prefer the older JRPG's to the newer ones.

I disagree. Every genre needs to evolve else we'd be playing the same game, over, and over, which is what a lot of genres have fallen into. Starcraft 2, Call of Duty, has been proof of it. Infact I'd argue that's why I don't purchase said DS rpgs, the other reason being I'm not big on handheld gaming.

Oh, and chances are the only reason why they may seem to sell more on DS is because more people own a DS.

Ontopic, there shouldn't be a mascot for JRPGs. Each series has it's own merits.

Nope, not everything needs to evolve. I have no interest in seeing Mario become an RTS for example. I don't want JRPG's to become WRPG's either and that is what is happening.

The DS may have a larger install base but it also has alot more JRPG competition. Will you buy Chrono Trigger or will you buy Dragon Quest IX?

Also, it doesn't take a genius to see that when people talk about their favorite JRPG's, they are almost always pre-current gen.

Dismiss it all you want but turning the JRPG into some WRPG/Zelda hybrid is losing fans, not gaining them. Turning JRPG franchises into movies also isn't helping.

I'd rather Mario an RTS than the rehashed stuff they keep releasing. Same with all their franchises infact. Zelda hasn't changed at all, MP hasn't either other than the jump from 2d to 3d. I'm certainly tired of those franchises. Just play the old game if you like the style so much, there's no point in re-releasing the same game over.

That's why there's more competition, it has a bigger fanbase. Handheld consoles are MASSIVE in Japan. Not to mention it is far cheaper to develop for the DS than it is a console. With a niche genre like JRPGs, and also due to the current economic situation, it is no wonder developers are going the cheaper route.

One word. Nostalgia. The reason why Final Fantasy VII is mentioned so often as the best JRPG ever? For the majority of them it was their first jrpg.

Keeping JRPGs the same doesn't help either. I'm not saying all of them should turn into WRPG or Zelda clones(Hell, I've already pointed out I don't like Zelda much anymore). However, keeping them the same isn't helping either. You need to strike a balance. Evolve enough in the right directions, but keeping it a JRPG. Borrowing some ideas from other genres is hardly bad either. Quite frankly I'd rather the battle system of XIII or Tales of over the old turn based system. It's fast and flowing. Unlike the age old turn based system where you still have to wait for all your party members to slowly attack, and then the boss slowly attack you. Not to say I don't like turn based on the occasion(Although it could do with some new ideas being inserted). I just wouldn't want it in every game.

 

[Naheal]

So you would choose the mascot for JRPG's to be a series without turn based combat?

No.

I have nothing against turn-based combat, personally, you know.

Turn based combat is one of the defining features of JRPG's. Real time appears in every other genre.

Star Ocean and the Tales series would like to have a word with you.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Shin Megami Tensei for the win.

It has plenty of series, plenty of games, each the essence of JRPG and it pretty much shows everything thats good, bad, ugly, and just plain fucked up in JRPGs (Catherine to be included. Sure, its not SMT, but its by Atlus, who do the Persona series, so i'm throwing it in). Besides, the games odnt have that pointless melodrama of the FF series, and at least when they dont say FF on every game. Final Fantasy lost its meaning after the first one when there are a bunch of FF games. There's nothing final about it.

 

[ServebotFrank]

Mine is Shin Megami Tensei. Did I spell that right?

 

[robmastaflex]

I would love Shin Megami Tensei to be the mascot of JRPGs, but its going to have to be Final Fantasy. It's more recognisable and SMT becoming mainstream would probably invoke the whole "BLARGH VIDEO GAMES ARE BAD FOR YOUR KIDS" argument.

The lack of exposure to the series in Europe doesn't really help it's case either.

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

Pokemon is easily the best and most popular JRPG series out there, so I'd say it's the flagship. Final Fantasy is more "traditional" I suppose, but it's clearly less popular (and not as good) than it used to be.

Yes Pokemon is largely marketed to a younger audience, but it's still a pretty fantastic series with unmatched depth and complexity underneath the childish exterior.