Western RPGs vs Japanese RPGs
- Categories: Games, News
- Date: Aug 4, 2010 21:11 JST
- Tags: Comparison, Marketing, Namco Bandai, Production Controversy, RPG, Square Enix
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…
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It's only funny because it's true.
Seriously though, it's just that WRPGs has gotten pretty big on consoles lately, while JRPGs has largely retreated to the handhelds due to the costs and the economy.
Also, it's not like JRPG developers haven't expressed these same frustrations about their own genre as well.
Funny how the ad just goes in for the jugular though.
this ads will flame the JRPG fanboy... and I will see the clash... who knows what will be happen... for those who want to see come aboard...
I like a lot of JRPG art styles, but I'd like to see them less cliched and with less mindless repetition.
I think the makers of JRPGs expect their customers to be fan boys, and make their games accordingly. They need to improve and diversify.
“When did games become something you watch?”
around the time Heavy Rain was released.
At least there was more reaction and interactivity in Heavy Rain. FFXIII WAS a movie. Not to mention Heavy Rain made a point to call itself an interactive drama.
I dont consider my self a fanboy, i've played most of those western rpgs and yes, i had fun playing them but they werent that great. i mean i did enjoy playing them but i didn't get the satisfaction that i got from JRPGs like Final Fantasy or chronos. so i still prefer jrpgs over wrpgs.
@masteryuke
Being Fahrenheit's spiritual successor, that was completely expected.
@Ciscotaku
You get satisfaction from 'playing' a game by sitting there and clicking through menus?
“When did games become something you watch?”
When did games become something you fap to while reading?
Oh right, Eroge.
I get plenty of satisfaction from those, what's wrong with it being in motion and having voice overs?
Not to support shit like Heavy Rain or FF. I'm supporting a movement of FMV Eroge.
Nah it was a movie before that, Heavy Rain is not a new concept, hell look at Visual novels or "H-games", well, at least in those you could fuck most of the chicks...
It would be nice to have the best of both worlds in one package. I guess it won't happen, but one can dream...
I think Kojima outdid himself with MG Rising if this would be the norms of the future. YAY KOJIMA!!~ ^^b
You know, I've been waiting on a DA:O style WRPG with full anime graphics. That would be awesome, but so far the only games close to that are Korean MMOs.
I'll be honest...Ever since I became self-aware that I am a hentai fiend, RPGs for me are all about the lolis now...
Everything else in the RPG is a bonus...
Once I get my loli character in the party, I level her up to maximum and just go on a killing spree...
It's also a huge bonus if said loli is wearing detached-sleeves since I get to see her arpmits every time she does her victory pose...
*Eyes Anise from Tales of The Abyss*
Oh yes...Lolis and armpits are what makes an RPG for me...
Although said contents will only be available on JRPGs since WRPGs tend to focus on adult matters and sh*t...
dude you are as sick as a pedophile.
how can america breed these kind of idiots so effortlessly?
Azure, that was an awesome post! Great sarcasm--too bad the following post didn't get it.
@Anonymous 03:36 05/08/2010
I came from his dark, viscous, hate-paste and burst my way out of a schoolgirl's belly...
Then I raped her corpse and and moved to Silent Hill where I learned the Art of Rape from "The Red God" himself...
Then I proceeded to fap to every hentai and anime genre there is (except fat chicks and old men since)...
After that I began commissioned Touhou futa doujins and spent well over $3000.00 watching Gensokyo's girls screw each other with their magic staffs...
America did not make me...I MADE ME...
Stop hiding in your box and join the Hentai Side, young pedowan...
@ironwarrior
Let him enjoy his box a bit more...I'll enjoy everything outside of it~
Hentai is a buffet, and I will eat thrice more than I pay~
Seems someone can't identify sarcasm.
Except how do we know whether or not that was really sarcasm...?
Do you know about Oblivion? Yeah, the wester RPG. Well, look what happens when it comes into contact with japanese modders:
http://www12.atwiki.jp/ssmod/pages/28.html
There is something for everyone, school girl, loli, cat, whatever. Right now, I am enjoying the world with my DMRA (Double Melons Round Ass) elf and companions, and I am loving it. 200+ hours and still want more.
Why can't all games be like this?
Yes. Western RPGs can learn a lot from JRPGs too. Where are all the cute girls? Where are the funny slightly ecchi bits? Where's the humour?
“The player is weak, the enemy is weak. That’s way too convenient.” Well, Morrowind at the start of the game drops your unlevelled weak character in the middle of an extremely hostile environment. Walked around for a few minutes, close to the village, *splut* death by one chop of a cliff racer. Is that realism? Don't you think that, if that environment existed in real life, people would warn you? More importantly, is that fun to play?
I'm awaiting the 2ch reply on this matter. ^^;
Yes, that would be interesting.
It'll probably consist of the usual basement-dwelling outrage and racism
Nothing new, then. ^_^
I'm expecting more than the usual actually.. Shippo did point out that JRPGs are having their own concerns as well..and although most of 2ch may be fanboys, even they'd get tired when exposed to the same thing long enough.
2ch won't respond to this they are way to busy voting in this years saimoe tournament.
Plus comiket is next week. Wooooo!
Don't you wish squenix and bioware could collab on a project for the sole enjoyment of, ya know, us? The customers?
Squenix creativity, imagination and graphics + Bioware story, scenario and polish; why not combine the best of both worlds?
Unfortunately, nothing would probably end up getting done. Oh, well.
actually square enix together with obsidian and gas powered games is currently working on Dungeon Siege III
And also the new Deus Ex; Square Enix is making the pre-rendered movies - which looks awesome as always...
Bioware story in JRPGs? Double KO.
FINAL FALLOUT VII!!!...wait, what? no good? oh,well...
(and as a side note, i just amused myself with the thought of "Bethsquenix"... ok, sorry. i promise i'm done now.)
some one should make a chuck norris game just cuz u can kick asses all day
Than they should've made it two years ago, when that joke was still popular.
That would ruin a perfectly good Bioware game.
May I bring pop corns and soda along with me dear sir? :3
as long as you enjoy it my comrades...
I want to see... love stupid people arguing!
Western rpgs such they aren't even rpgs, everything on those cards are things i love about jrpgs people in the western are just to damn picky and never know what they want and complain about ever damn thing because they think they are an only child and think they can get whatever they want, they are to damn spoiled.
Troll harder.
^ Breaks down crying after posting comment.
*sigh* trolls are trolls.
wait, what if you ARE an only child?
Random gibberish, WRPGs not actual RPGs now?
According to people here, no. They say the only true RPG is a table top RPG like the general public can actually tell the difference <_<
In which case KOTOR must be the ultimate RPG.
Everything in it is controlled by D&D rules of play.
almost all bioware game (except jade empire ) were about killing off ancient evil and extremely linear.
but yeah im getting tired of bullshit western rpgs have . they are as stagnant as soviet industry , just keep making things bigger and heavier .
Jprgs do have some good games i liked disgaea and demon soul , but otherwise they need to try something else too, their turn based grid combat is mother of all stagnation . Try something in real time,without being moe blob heavy
ITT Obsidian pretends they can make good RPGs. Seriously of all companies the only ones that should be allowed to criticize JRPGs are the likes of CDProject or Troika.
Well if you want to go that route, CDProjekt makes singleplayer MMORPGs, not true RPGs.
Singleplayer MMORPGs? LOL, you DO know what MMORPG stands for, right?
Don't you think that what this is saying is a bit true though? I know this article is taking the defence of the JRPG, but they've become so daft and boring. Sometimes I wonder if people have become mindless drones to titles like the Final Fantasy series because of their overwhelming popularity, wheras the Fallout series has had to struggle to be what it is. In the end, Fallout 3 was a great RPG with so many different story options, wheras FFXIII has bombed in comparison.
Personally, I don't care where my video games come from, but I do think WRPGs are showing more promise for the future than ones we see coming from Japan these days. I hope both sides evolve for our sake.
I can't wait for New Vegas!
"“When did games become something you watch?”"
Why did I think of the first Xenosaga and Metal Gear solid 4's 2+ hour ending?
Although I still like J-RPG's more then Bioware styled ones..