Poll: East vs. West: RPGs

[Archaeology Hat]

Some of the Western RPGs you listed are not even RPGs. Namely Dungeon Seige, Ultima and World of Warcraft.

The first is a hack n' slash with rpg elements (mostly hack n' slash) and the latter two are MMOs.

Back on the subject though, it's a hard call between western and eastern RPGs. I would honestly say its hit or miss for both sides, both have had some amazing games and some amazing flops.

You're forgetting the letters after MMO. You know, the whole RPG part? MMOs are basically all RPGs, since they follow the format created by D&D and tabletop games of that ilk. Saying they're not RPGs is just burying your head in the sand. As is calling it "hack 'n slash with elements of RPG". D&D was originally all about exploring dungeons, killing monsters and taking their stuff.

As a D&D player myself, I think I would have to say I'm more of a fan of Western RPGs, though I've found a few gems in the JRPG bin.

They're not RPGs, theyre MMORPGs, the MMO makes it a differant game. No-one would really ever compare World of Warcraft to say... Mass Effect. Or Final Fantasy XI to any normal JRPG. Unless it was unfavourably for the Single-player game. MMOs except on the pure gameplay aspect lack just about everything that makes an RPG and RPG, unless you play on a "Roleplaying Server" and even those suck most of the time. Its part of the reason I look down on JRPGs as well, theres character development in pure gameplay terms, but little to no development on the part of the player "Roleplaying" the character, theres more development for JRPGs but the player has pretty limited control over this at best*. Roleplaying games seem to have lost the "Roleplaying". MMORPGs are all "Crunch" with little "Fluff".

*Yes, I know there are exceptions and yes, I know some Western RPGs suck in this regard... but at least they have some free-roam.

 

[Hippobatman]

If done well I enjoy games from both subgenres. That's that.

Looking at all the pointless, biased bullshit that's being dumped into this topic, I come to the following conclusion: people need to learn from you.

Why thank you.

I think it's fine someone don't like the particular style of either genre, because they have different trends. But when they start hating a genre and every game that's part of it just for the principle, then the person should microwave his head. There are always exceptions within a genre.

 

[veloper]

Those are RPGs don't worry.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Some of the Western RPGs you listed are not even RPGs. Namely Dungeon Seige, Ultima and World of Warcraft.

The first is a hack n' slash with rpg elements (mostly hack n' slash) and the latter two are MMOs.

Back on the subject though, it's a hard call between western and eastern RPGs. I would honestly say its hit or miss for both sides, both have had some amazing games and some amazing flops.

You're forgetting the letters after MMO. You know, the whole RPG part? MMOs are basically all RPGs, since they follow the format created by D&D and tabletop games of that ilk. Saying they're not RPGs is just burying your head in the sand. As is calling it "hack 'n slash with elements of RPG". D&D was originally all about exploring dungeons, killing monsters and taking their stuff.

As a D&D player myself, I think I would have to say I'm more of a fan of Western RPGs, though I've found a few gems in the JRPG bin.

They're not RPGs, theyre MMORPGs, the MMO makes it a differant game. No-one would really ever compare World of Warcraft to say... Mass Effect. Or Final Fantasy XI to any normal JRPG. Unless it was unfavourably for the Single-player game. MMOs except on the pure gameplay aspect lack just about everything that makes an RPG and RPG, unless you play on a "Roleplaying Server" and even those suck most of the time. Its part of the reason I look down on JRPGs as well, theres character development in pure gameplay terms, but little to no development on the part of the player "Roleplaying" the character, theres more development for JRPGs but the player has pretty limited control over this at best*. Roleplaying games seem to have lost the "Roleplaying". MMORPGs are all "Crunch" with little "Fluff".

*Yes, I know there are exceptions and yes, I know some Western RPGs suck in this regard... but at least they have some free-roam.

My point is that MMOs come closer to matching the source material (D&D) than most any other form of RPG. You get together with a bunch of friends, or random people who are interested, you go kill some monsters, take their loot, come back and buy more crap for your little avatar. It's identical to Gygaxian D&D, only maybe with a little less Roleplaying. Other RPGs, such as Mass Effect and KOTOR, are still great, but they don't offer the social aspect that I find is such a big reason I enjoy playing D&D as much as I do. Besides, those games are more along the lines of an interactive story with some character customization attached. I love the KOTOR games though.

 

[MalthusX]

I like fun RPGS, and I try not to really differentiate between Western and Eastern. Most of my favourite RPGs have have been wester ones, but two I also really like Person 3 & 4 and Skies of Arcadia.

 

[-Seraph-]

I like JRPG's. I have been scarcely satisfied with WRPG's as they always lacked a certain charm or spirit to them. I enjoy JRPG's for all the reasons many people (some who are most likely ignorant), complain about them. WRPG's bore the crap out of me most of the time and there are only a tiny few that I have enjoyed. It just pains me to see such blatant JRPG bashing on these forums with the same tired old ignorant complaints constantly being thrown around. But whatever, I will enjoy my JRPG's and they can enjoy their WRPG's, just quit complaining about them sheesh, personal taste is nothing to get so riled up about.

 

[Jandau]

I preffer good RPGs, their origin is irrelevant. At the moment I'm playing The Last Remnant side by side with Drakensang and enjoying both.

 

[mwmorph]

I'm a bit confused here. The last good JRPG I played was Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. After that, I've played every Final Fantasy (7 through X-2) at least a little bit and it's always left a sour taste in my mouth.

Basically Final Fantasy role playing means you have to fit into a certain stereotype and really buy into the game or otherwise the story makes no sense to you, theres little to no choice in how your character behaves, you're just along to pick attacks and watch the cinematics.

Western RPGs on the other hand seemed to let you choose who you wanted to. It actually allowed you to choose your dialogue so your character can fit your persona instead of vice versa. Planescape, Fallout, Mass Effect, KOTOR, you could choose to act as you liked.

What I'm trying to say is Final Fantasy is CRAP. Men look like women, women look like 12year old little boys and nobody has an ounce of dignity or charisma left after all the emo-hyperbole-whining going on ("OMG I'm so sad, but the fate of the world is on my shoulder !1!!1!!!"). I always assumed that it is the general state of JRPGs now, since from what I've seen, they all look rather homogenous.

I am definitely open to suggestions though. What I'm trying to say is people seem to say that Final Fantasy is crap and not indicative of JRPGs as a whole. If anyone wants to chime in with suggestions for a JRPG that has a choice filled storyline and where I can choose how my character develops instead of these static 1 dimensional characters, I'd like to really try them out.

 

[Sergeant M. Fudgey]

East: Final Fantasy, Xenogears, Shining Force, Chrono Trigger, Pokemon, Dragon Quest, Phantasy Star, Zelda, Ys, Breath of Fire

West: Elder Scrolls, Fable, Wizardry, Baldur's Gate, Might & Magic, Bard's Tale, Dungeon Seige, Ultima, World of Warcraft

You forgot Fallout, as a series, Mass Effect, and KotOR, some of the most popular Western RPGs EVER, and for a good reason. I voted Western.

 

[mwmorph]

I'm a bit confused here. The last good JRPG I played was Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. After that, I've played every Final Fantasy (7 through X-2) at least a little bit and it's always left a sour taste in my mouth.

Basically Final Fantasy role playing means you have to fit into a certain stereotype and really buy into the game or otherwise the story makes no sense to you, theres little to no choice in how your character behaves, you're just along to pick attacks and watch the cinematics.

Western RPGs on the other hand seemed to let you choose who you wanted to. It actually allowed you to choose your dialogue so your character can fit your persona instead of vice versa. Planescape, Fallout, Mass Effect, KOTOR, you could choose to act as you liked.

What I'm trying to say is Final Fantasy is CRAP. Men look like women, women look like 12year old little boys and nobody has an ounce of dignity or charisma left after all the emo-hyperbole-whining going on ("OMG I'm so sad, but the fate of the world is on my shoulder !1!!1!!!"). I always assumed that it is the general state of JRPGs now, since from what I've seen, they all look rather homogenous.

I am definitely open to suggestions though. What I'm trying to say is people seem to say that Final Fantasy is crap and not indicative of JRPGs as a whole. If anyone wants to chime in with suggestions for a JRPG that has a choice filled storyline and where I can choose how my character develops instead of these static 1 dimensional characters, I'd like to really try them out.

[http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=finalfantasyviiadventchr.jpg]
^This is what's wrong with JRPGs

 

[MrShadowzs]

if were talking story usaly jrpgs but gameplay wise (which is waht matters) i would be western so that's what im going with

 

[Sergeant M. Fudgey]

if were talking story usaly jrpgs but gameplay wise (which is waht matters) i would be western so that's what im going with

Let's not forget Mass Effect, although they had a few cliches, they still did very well with the story. Particularly the back story was well done, and they set the game up so there was a logical reason you wouldn't know all the backstory. Lastly, the voice-acting was wonderful, and that's always 30% of how immersive a game is for me.

 

[NeW SpEcTrUM]

Never played a JRPG that made me give a crap. wRPGs on the other hand, are damn near always a blast.

 

[iron codpiece]

Arcanum is one of my most favorite games ever. So I am going out west.

 

[IamQ]

never played an J-rpg

 

[Vlane]

I'm a bit confused here. The last good JRPG I played was Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. After that, I've played every Final Fantasy (7 through X-2) at least a little bit and it's always left a sour taste in my mouth.

Basically Final Fantasy role playing means you have to fit into a certain stereotype and really buy into the game or otherwise the story makes no sense to you, theres little to no choice in how your character behaves, you're just along to pick attacks and watch the cinematics.

Western RPGs on the other hand seemed to let you choose who you wanted to. It actually allowed you to choose your dialogue so your character can fit your persona instead of vice versa. Planescape, Fallout, Mass Effect, KOTOR, you could choose to act as you liked.

What I'm trying to say is Final Fantasy is CRAP. Men look like women, women look like 12year old little boys and nobody has an ounce of dignity or charisma left after all the emo-hyperbole-whining going on ("OMG I'm so sad, but the fate of the world is on my shoulder !1!!1!!!"). I always assumed that it is the general state of JRPGs now, since from what I've seen, they all look rather homogenous.

I am definitely open to suggestions though. What I'm trying to say is people seem to say that Final Fantasy is crap and not indicative of JRPGs as a whole. If anyone wants to chime in with suggestions for a JRPG that has a choice filled storyline and where I can choose how my character develops instead of these static 1 dimensional characters, I'd like to really try them out.

[http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=finalfantasyviiadventchr.jpg]
^This is what's wrong with JRPGs

That's an FF thing/problem (which doesn't apply to every game in the franchise) and not a JRPG thing.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I'm a bit confused here. The last good JRPG I played was Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. After that, I've played every Final Fantasy (7 through X-2) at least a little bit and it's always left a sour taste in my mouth.

Basically Final Fantasy role playing means you have to fit into a certain stereotype and really buy into the game or otherwise the story makes no sense to you, theres little to no choice in how your character behaves, you're just along to pick attacks and watch the cinematics.

Western RPGs on the other hand seemed to let you choose who you wanted to. It actually allowed you to choose your dialogue so your character can fit your persona instead of vice versa. Planescape, Fallout, Mass Effect, KOTOR, you could choose to act as you liked.

What I'm trying to say is Final Fantasy is CRAP. Men look like women, women look like 12year old little boys and nobody has an ounce of dignity or charisma left after all the emo-hyperbole-whining going on ("OMG I'm so sad, but the fate of the world is on my shoulder !1!!1!!!"). I always assumed that it is the general state of JRPGs now, since from what I've seen, they all look rather homogenous.

I am definitely open to suggestions though. What I'm trying to say is people seem to say that Final Fantasy is crap and not indicative of JRPGs as a whole. If anyone wants to chime in with suggestions for a JRPG that has a choice filled storyline and where I can choose how my character develops instead of these static 1 dimensional characters, I'd like to really try them out.

[http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=finalfantasyviiadventchr.jpg]
^This is what's wrong with JRPGs

^This is what's right with JRPGs.

One of them, at least. <url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giA0h4OXT6g>This helps.

 

[The Great JT]

East: Final Fantasy, Xenogears, Shining Force, Chrono Trigger, Pokemon, Dragon Quest, Phantasy Star, Zelda, Ys, Breath of Fire

West: Elder Scrolls, Fable, Wizardry, Baldur's Gate, Might & Magic, Bard's Tale, Dungeon Seige, Ultima, World of Warcraft

I'd have to say Western. Since eastern RPGs are not story-heavy (your actions don't impact the story at all) and western ones you really get more connected to whoever you're playing since your actions shift the way the world operates.

EDIT: Oh, and male characters look like MEN and the women don't look like little boys.

 

[Bullfrog1983]

I like Western RPGs more - but not the ones that are split genre.

JRPGs can be innovative and fun, but there are maybe 10-20 bad JRPGs for every good one... and most of the good ones have been made by Squaresoft.

Any RPG that encourages you to think is always welcome in my books.

I have to disagree with some of the games included as examples in New Trolls' statement though.

Zelda to me is no more an RPG than Resident Evil is... actually probably less so because the characters in Resident Evil talk. All Link does is say "Hup, Hip! Hiyaaah! and Wyaaaghh!" basically, and he is a one sided character. The only way the characters change in ability in either game is what is located in their inventory.

Diablo/Dungeon Siege/World of Warcraft are all mindless grindfests that encourage barely any uniqueness of character (same gear, stats, skills, etc) - therefore I do not consider them RPGs, but more of an action game... or even a second job rather than anything else.

Anyway, enough ranting. Do your worst!