Poll: Which do you prefer JRPGs or WRPGs?

[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.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

I play more JRPGs, but dont really have a preference. I do however, abhor Tolkienesque RPGS.

The one thing I really look for in a game is the world setting, so most Western RPGs are like this for me. "Oh im in the medievil ages, I can choose a class, Warrior, Thief or Mage? Brilliant, ill be a Mage. Oh im in a town. Ah a monster, seems to be an orc, ill click on it. Oh its dead. Is this Baldurs Gate? It feels like Baldurs Gate. Im pretty sure someone there should sue."

While my experiance with JRPGs is more like " Ok, im on some sort of walking highway in a city. Seems pretty big. Everyone is going on about some game, apparently im in it. Seems cool. *gets to arena* Holy shit its a giant water sphere! What that for? I play a game of water polo in it? Awesome." And then a portal comes and sucks the city into oblivion, and my guy wakes up on the shore. I have no idea whats going on and am loving every minute of it.

Thats probably why I liked Mass Effect so much. It was a new interesting world that could be explored, rather than an orcpit.

 

[Gaiseric]

I don't know anymore.

It feels like every time a big WRPG comes out, I end up disappointed in some way(Looking at you Oblivion, Fallout NV, Mass Effect 2).

On the other hand, there hasn't been any new JRPGs I've been interested in at all. When I do play JRPGs they are older titles on the PSP.

 

[ImmortalDrifter]

Turn based combat got boring 10 years ago. So I'm gonna have to go go WRPG.

(And I like playing as someone whose not a brooding teenager)

 

[ImmortalDrifter]

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.

Fallout.

1&2 if you enjoy more "classic" Turn-Based RPG style gaming.

3&New Vegas if you like more "modern" Action-RPG style gaming.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Can't do JRPGs. 10 year old characters with pink and blue hair, annoying voices and more cutscene than gameplay. Oh and the turn based action *shudder*. And the whole Dante/Thanatos/Bayonetta style of game I can't bring myself to even try. I did try Devil May Cry 4, and remember firing hundreds of bullets at a guy right at the start (in a church I think) and it did practically nothing. It was all cutscene and obscenely massive swords.

Saying that, there have been great RPGs from Japan in the past, though I have to go back a really long way to come with examples right this moment (Secret of Mana/Evermore). Even Japanese games that aren't JRPGs like Ninja Gaiden, Vanquish and Metal Gear are...odd. It's clearly the cultural thing that lends those games a certain style, stories a certain slant, characters certain traits. Saying that Sega and Capcom are less full-on Japanese and their games tend to be a little easier to relate to.

But back OT, JRPGs, no.

 

[Xirema]

My only real problem with JRPG's is their pacing. Either they run cutscene after cutscene, or they spend too much time on static, monotonous combat.

Deal with that, and I'd probably prefer JRPG's all the time.

 

[Knight Templar]

I prefer JRPGs.

Let's be fair, only games like Baldur's Gate and Heroes of Might and Magic are "technically" RPGs.

Wrong way around. Technically they are not the only ones, you just consider them so.

 

[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.

Fallout.

1&2 if you enjoy more "classic" Turn-Based RPG style gaming.

3&New Vegas if you like more "modern" Action-RPG style gaming.

I keep forgetting about Fallout. I have Fallout 3 but I couldn't get into it. I promised myself that I would try it again when I have a bit of time, but so far, to no avail.

 

[Aesir23]

I like both pretty much equally. Sure, each variety has its flaws as well as its perks (and even the flaws and perks can change depending on who you talk to).

What really irritates me is when people bash one or the other, especially if they haven't touched a single game of that variety. Not every game in any given genre is the same, so to say every game in that genre is bad is simply an ignorant generalization.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Just that style of combat where everyone lines up and takes turns one character against the next. Bob uses flare. Orc crossbows Bob. Shiela heals Bob. Bob uses flare. Orc dies. *shudder*
Saying that, I did enjoy LotR: The Third Age which was just like that. But perhaps not so much for the combat as the jaunt through middle earth.

Pseudo-turn based a la Baldurs Gate II, KotOR or Neverwinter Nights (eg. turn based behind the scenes, pausable, queue up party orders, they execute in real time) is great.
If you can leave combat in the middle without pausing the game and know you will be fine when you get back (because there is no risk or threat), it sucks (unless you know you'll be fine because you're awesome and a killing machine and know you'll return to a screen of dead enemies).