Why do people pick on JRPGs?

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

Recently it has been apparent some people have been picking on JRPGs. Why? They are saying that they are repetitive, understandable, but if you're going to pick on something for repetitiveity why JRPGs? Other genres aren't even trying mainly (the bulk of) FPSes, Fighters and Hack and slashes (not sure if thats the right name but things like Bayonetta, Devil may cry and darksiders). If we changed the game mechanics halfway through a game like street fighter people would complain, would they not? What is the difference with JRPGs who actually try to change it more then any other genre. (see Renasonce of fate, Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2 and (sigh) Final Fantasy 13)
[/rant]
What are your thoughts?

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

most people on here adore western influenced type games, and for the most part jrpg's are either polar opposites or they are very different...

so its just natural for them to dislike those things, alot of western fans like open world and character customization..

something very very few jrpg's offer..

or at least in the image. when people think of jrpgs they usually associate angsty teens and very unreal super linear games with it.


personally i like jrpg's just as much as any other rpg, but as of late i have been a bit dissappointed, so maybe thats why the rise of hate has happened

 

[megs1120]

Recently it has been apparent some people have been picking on JRPGs. Why? They are saying that they are repetitive, understandable, but if you're going to pick on something for repetitiveity why JRPGs? Other genres aren't even trying mainly (the bulk of) FPSes, Fighters and Hack and slashes (not sure if thats the right name but things like Bayonetta, Devil may cry and darksiders). If we changed the game mechanics halfway through a game like street fighter people would complain, would they not? What is the difference with JRPGs who actually try to change it more then any other genre. (see Renasonce of fate, Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2 and (sigh) Final Fantasy 13)
[/rant]
What are your thoughts?

They weren't always mocked as much as they are now. My guess is that as video game development has shifted from Japan to the United States and Europe, gamers have gotten used to western play styles.

Now that Japanese games are growingly alien, it makes sense for people to ridicule them, particularly since there have been so few good JRPGs in recent years.

 

[wooty]

I guess its because people want to see change, but dont like change happening. If that makes any sense?

I guess its the same with everything, people like familiarity, I remember a few people predicted the doom of COD when COD4 was announced to have a modern setting, they soon changed their minds.

 

[Zaik]

Because if nobody ever stood up and said, "Hey, that is a dumb idea." Nobody would have ever known it was a dumb idea, and games like KH 1&2 and FF13(never played Resonance of Fate) would have been turn-based on rails snorefests.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

People pick on them because they don't like them.

Personally, I hate random battles and turn based combat, which are frequent in JRPGs.

They're also fairly plot driven for having such awful stories. FPS's may have shitty plots, but that's not why you play them.

Ultimately I feel the same about them as I do about anime, some of them are really damn awesome (Crisis Core and Appleseed, respectively) but I don't like most do too annoying little issues.

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

most people on here adore western influenced type games, and for the most part jrpg's are either polar opposites or they are very different...

so its just natural for them to dislike those things, alot of western fans like open world and character customization..

something very very few jrpg's offer..

or at least in the image. when people think of jrpgs they usually associate angsty teens and very unreal super linear games with it.


personally i like jrpg's just as much as any other rpg, but as of late i have been a bit dissappointed, so maybe thats why the rise of hate has happened

Quiet allot of JRPGs are open world and have more customization then most western games *cough*Shooters*cough*. The angstyness is true but in several western the bulk of characters are chest pumping patriotic marines pumped with steroids with even less rounding. I don't tend to differentiate between RPGs and JRPGs they are both fun as hell. What I'm saying is that if you're going to complain about games not changing why not say COD which has never changed in, well, anything gameplay wise and the same with, as I mentioned before, street fighter. I hear street fighter is a good game (not my genre) but how has it changed since one, apart from graphics a more characters?

 

[i64ever]

I love JRPG's. I think the problem is, as someone already suggested, is that there have been few GOOD JRPG's in recent years. Had FFXIII been what is should have been, the ripping would have mostly stopped.

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

I love JRPG's. I think the problem is, as someone already suggested, is that there have been few GOOD JRPG's in recent years. Had FFXIII been what is should have been, the ripping would have mostly stopped.

The complaints arn't about the games being bad. It's about them not changing their mechanics.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

snip

Quiet allot of JRPGs are open world and have more customization then most western games *cough*Shooters*cough*. The angstyness is true but in several western the bulk of characters are chest pumping patriotic marines pumped with steroids with even less rounding. I don't tend to differentiate between RPGs and JRPGs they are both fun as hell. What I'm saying is that if you're going to complain about games not changing why not say COD which has never changed in, well, anything gameplay wise and the same with, as I mentioned before, street fighter. I hear street fighter is a good game (not my genre) but how has it changed since one, apart from graphics a more characters?

im not against jrpg's, so i can't fully speak for the people against them, as i love jrpg's just as much as any other rpg, and im not really looking to get into an arguement or anything, but jrpg's just offer differently from what alot of wrpg's do and alot of people like what wrpg's have to offer and when they play a jrpg they dont get what they want, and especially in teh past few years i havent' really come across a good jrpg, so its hard for alot of people to really show respect for it (not me, im just saying what i think might be why people hate on it)

edit: alot of people dont like the gameplay mechanics of it

random battles and any turn based type combat can really turn people away from it. personally i like it, especially in the final fantasy games, but its not for everyone.

 

[Ertol]

Most people I see ripping on JRPG's do it because they don't like them. I don't think I've seen anyone actually rip on JRPG's just because they can.

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

snip

The main point I'm trying to say is that 'Why are people complaining that JRPGs arn't changing?'. It's not about them compared to WRPGs or any other game it's about them being picked on for not changing when they blatantly are at least trying. I am neither attempting to start an argument, but as you can tell I'm annoyed that people are picking on something for something it is definitely not the worst culprit at doing.

 

[migo]

It's simple, they're losers.

I'll explain. The protagonists are often young, slim and attractive, and are liked by girls. This is the exact opposite of the gamers complaining. These gamers are old, were never popular when they're young, still aren't landing any girls, are out of shape and ugly. They want games where the people look like them, like in Quake 3 Arena or Kane & Lynch.

Anecdotaly, I've never met anyone in person who is reasonably good looking and has an attractive girlfriend complain about a JRPG in the way people on the internet do.

I know this will draw a lot of rage, but it's true.

Now some entries in the genre really do have some serious drawbacks, particularly with translations but that's when you'll hear specific complaints rather than general dislike of RPGs.

 

[Limzz]

I don't like JRPG's because I find them terribly boring and hate anime.

 

[Estoki]

Your being a bit biased there OP, never compare JRPG's to shooters, compare them to Western RPG's.

It's like comparing a Gun and a Sword, sure they are both weapons, but they function, act and handle completely differently.

OT: I dislike JRPG's because turn based combat makes you rely on luck instead of skill, characters are generally unlikeable, random encounters make no sense, the story is usually terrible and- you know what, the list goes on but I'm pretty sure I got the point across.

The formula of a JRPG is fine, the execution is almost always terrible, we don't rip on them because they never change the mechanics, we do rip on them for being generally terrible.

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

Your being a bit biased there OP, never compare JRPG's to shooters, compare them to Western RPG's.

It's like comparing a Gun and a Sword, sure they are both weapons, but they function, act and handle completely differently.

We're not comparing gameplay we're comparing their attempts at changing. The average FPS doesn't try to change. The average JRPG does. That's my point.

 

[TehCookie]

It's simple, they're losers.

I'll explain. The protagonists are often young, slim and attractive, and are liked by girls. This is the exact opposite of the gamers complaining. These gamers are old, were never popular when they're young, still aren't landing any girls, are out of shape and ugly. They want games where the people look like them, like in Quake 3 Arena or Kane & Lynch.

Anecdotaly, I've never met anyone in person who is reasonably good looking and has an attractive girlfriend complain about a JRPG in the way people on the internet do.

I know this will draw a lot of rage, but it's true.

Now some entries in the genre really do have some serious drawbacks, particularly with translations but that's when you'll hear specific complaints rather than general dislike of RPGs.

I think part of it might also be that the gamers like to project onto the character (even if they don't look the same), and it's hard for a guy to project himself on to a character who looks like a girl and is just as whiny as one.

Just like I can't play games that involve some kind of testosterone driven shaved bear as the protagonist.

 

[Treeinthewoods]

It's fun to make fun of funny things. I mean, crap, just look at the outfits and listen to the searing emotional angst. Why is there always a girl with a high pitched voice who's like 16 and wearing an outfit made of rubberbands and postage stamps? Where do they find so much hair gel between battles? Why do certain characters always end every sentence with "Ya'know" or some equally odd comment?

If you think about any game too much it becomes ridiculous. JRPG's just have that ridiculous layer closer to the surface.

 

[migo]

I think part of it might also be that the gamers like to project onto the character (even if they don't look the same), and it's hard for a guy to project himself on to a character who looks like a girl and is just as whiny as one.

Just like I can't play games that involve some kind of testosterone driven shaved bear as the protagonist.

Eh, I don't find them to be that whiny, and don't write them off on account of having feminine characteristics. I also actually get girls. If you look at male protagonists with feminine characteristics with derision, girls will pick up on the chauvenism and won't want to date you. Girls like JRPGs, they also like guys who are confident enough in their own sexuality to play them.

 

[Zenn3k]

Cause they haven't been good since 1997