Poll: What is a JRPG?

[Hurr Durr Derp]

This is not another topic for discussing whether or not JRPGs suck. IF you feel the need to talk about that, go find one of the other topics.

The reason for this topic is that I've just been in two different threads where the same discussion popped up: What is a JRPG?

On the one hand, you've got people (like me) saying that JRPG is a genre, nothing more. JRPGS have certain recognisable traits that make them JRPGS. By this logic, Septerra Core and Anachronox are JRPGs, while Demon's Souls isn't.

On the other hand, you've got people saying that, since the J in JRPG stands for Japan, that JRPGS are any games with RPG elements that are made in Japan. It doesn't matter how well a Western company imitates the typical JRPG style, they'll never be able to make a real JRPG by definition. By this logic, Septerra Core and Anachronox aren't JRPGs, while Demon's Souls is.

Discuss.

 

[Kollega]

No, it's definetly a genre. It was invented in Japan, but it is not limited to Japan. Just like muscle cars were invented in the USA, but can be used in any part of the world.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

Shit.

Nah no offense to JRPG lovers, play em if you like, but I hate em and im staying far clear for now. Maybe one day I will become one of those JRPG lovers and fall in love with one of those hot boys before I realize there actually boys

In case you failed to read it, this isn't the topic for stuff like that. Please keep that endless discussion contained in places where it belongs.

 

[Axeli]

Hard to define. W and J are really just separated by the overall style, which is always a bit subjective...

But WRPGs tend to have a player avatar for main character while JRPGs have a fully developped main character that is a person of his/her own (thus it wouldn't even make that the player makes all their decisions). Think of a WRPG without the player character.

WRPGs usually also have fast, pseudo real time combat while JRPGs have random encounters and slower pace.

WRPGs tend to have a character creator and thus give more customization (for the main character anyway) than JRPGs, which focus more on ability than stat managment. Stats are usually handled a lot differently, being more static and presented in lower figures in WRPGs, while in JRPGs they usually go from 1-255 (usually being in the 100-200 fork at end game) and they keep growing greatly and in more automated fashion as you level up.
You usually level up a lot more in JRPGs as well (i.e. typical level cap in WRPG is usually 20 or so, 100 in JRPGs).

Of course, this is just the typical case, which I have to mention as I'm sick of all the generalization going on with RPGs...

 

[Axeli]

Shit.

Nah no offense to JRPG lovers, play em if you like, but I hate em and im staying far clear for now. Maybe one day I will become one of those JRPG lovers and fall in love with one of those hot boys before I realize there actually boys

Flamebait is not appreciated even with smileys.

And I have my doubts of how many JRPGs you have tried.

 

[LeonLethality]

I do find JRPGs to be their own separate genre with very little to do with WRPGs.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

JRPGs take some elements of pen and paper RPGs but then cram them into a fairly linear storyline and character progression. Most JRPGs I've played give the player virtually no control over how the storyline plays out, you're just there to control the characters as they follow the path to the next plot point. Nor are you really in control of how your character levels up beyond picking a few skills (most of the time). WRPGs tend to allow the player to create their main character and have a lot more control over how stats improve over the course of leveling.

 

[D_987]

It's interesting how, already, the discussion has turned from "What is a JRPG" into "The differences between WRPGS and JRPGs".

A JRPG is a genre - as I said before, the style is quit distinctive and different fro WRPG's - to the point where, if you try to define an RPG, you can't, because the vague idea you would have would cover nearly all video games. A JRPG is clearly a genre in its own right.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

I find it interesting that the two poll options are fairly close, but the comments all say that it's a genre. Do the people who disagree not have anything to say about their opinion?

It's interesting how, already, the discussion has turned from "What is a JRPG" into "The differences between WRPGS and JRPGs".

Eh, if you're comparing WRPGs to JRPGs by gameplay elements, that's really just the same as saying they're both distinct genres. But yeah, I'd like to keep the discussion contained to just what makes a JRPG a JRPG.

 

[Phishfood]

a typo of JPEG.

 

[The DSM]

An RPG made in the EAST, not just Japan, Korea has a few I think...

 

[Adzma]

A specific genre that contains certain specific RPG elements. It's silly to say that JRPGs can only come from Japan, it's just a name for the genre, the same as Action RPG.

 

[kawaiiamethist]

JRPG is my favourite genre; here are some obersations based on my experience:

-you have little to no input into the story, when you do, a basic decision or action is all that's necessary when choosing an optional ending

-you are not playing through a character, you are playing as a character

-combat is mostly turn based, but not limited to turn based (eg. FFXII, Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery, Kingdom Hearts, Tales of ..., Star Ocean)

-story and characterisation is vital to enjoyment - being the objective of completing areas and finishing boss fights is to earn the next segment of the story

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

A JRPG is simply a RPG that is made in Japan. If it has the rpg staples, then its an rpg. Its really not that difficult to understand.

 

[Chancie]

A JRPG is simply a RPG that is made in Japan. If it has the rpg staples, then its an rpg. Its really not that difficult to understand.

This is what I've always thought. I guess a lot of people have a super complex definition of it. Either that, or I've been wrong for forever.

 

[Z of the Na'vi]

An RPG made in Japan or has Japanese elements.

 

[FinalHeart95]

I always thought of it as a genre. After all, wasn't Demon's Souls made in Japan? That's often considered to be a WRPG because of it's style, no?

 

[thewerebuffalo]

A standard JRPG in my mind has less to do with aesthetics and more to do with Gameplay. a JRPG in my mind is the turn-battle system. It's still good ad I'm not condemning it, but most people don't like how it goes slowly/ seems unrealistic.

I am personally a fan of some of them

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

It is a subgenre of RPGs invented in Japan so you're more likely to get them from Japanese Devs but companies outside of Japan can make JRPGs too as they are defined by their style by being more rigid and main plot driven than WRPGs.

 

[FinalHeart95]

To be totally precise:
A JRPG is an RPG, who`s leading cast consists of
men trying to be women by having long hair with redicioulous cuts and acting so whiny and incompetent that any actual woman would punch them in their non-existing balls and
women with love-interests in their half-siblings.

How many JRPGs have you played, exactly?