Japanese RPG fans have been confronted by this provocative ad, pointing out some of the most hackneyed aspects of the genre.
The translated placards, coming as part of the Japanese release campaign for Fallout: New Vegas:
“I think it would be good if the hero had missions that weren’t only about destroying evil.”
“The player is weak, the enemy is weak. That’s way too convenient.”
“When did games become something you watch?”
“Because the story doesn’t change, what’s the point of playing it again?”
“Games nowadays are focusing way too much on photorealism.”
“What’s a game that’s moving in accordance to the scenario? It’s the same as living on rails.”
“Levelling up is time for motivation down!”
“The stage has been set. After that, you’re free to do whatever!”
Although the endless succession of Bioware-style RPGs with essentially identical structure and gameplay conventions hardly qualify as original, they may well have earned the right to take potshots at the unbelievably staid Japanese RPG genre by dint of sheer commercial success – whilst JRPG sales continue to decline even in Japan.
Fallout, like any top western title, can probably be expected to bomb hopelessly in Japan – meanwhile Namco plans yet another Tales game and Nippon Ichi already has the latest in its backwards Disgaea series lined up…
How about you all STFU and play the games you like and ignore the ones you don’t. Unless you like getting into arguments, then carry on.
i’ve never liked a wrpg…
I think that guy in the middle is Light from Live Action DeathNote…
Final Fantasy is fucked off, and all other heavy fantasy world are going in the same way. The only jRPG I’ve found great and innovative in the last years was Persona 3~4 and some titles of DS. The rest is all crap.
Allow me to respond to this piece by piece
“I think it would be good if the hero had missions that weren’t only about destroying evil.”
f♥♥k your couch.
“The player is weak, the enemy is weak. That’s way too convenient.”
f♥♥k your couch.
“When did games become something you watch?”
When Final Fantasy XII came out. I hate it as much as you do.
“Because the story doesn’t change, what’s the point of playing it again?”
Boredom. To see the story again. If a game is fun, it is fun to play it again even if it is the same. A lot like sex in a way.
“Games nowadays are focusing way too much on photorealism.”
Fair enough.
“What’s a game that’s moving in accordance to the scenario? It’s the same as living on rails.”
Work on your grammar mister translator.
“Levelling up is time for motivation down!”
f♥♥k your couch.
“The stage has been set. After that, you’re free to do whatever!”
Sandboxing, it is good. Deal with it. Furthermore, f♥♥k your couch.