"JRPG"'s are a joke compared to what they used to be...

I've played Tales of Vesperia, the World Ends with You, Lost Oddesy and those games are jokes compared to Final Fantast 6, Chrono Trigger, Panzer Dragoon Saga.

Even Valkeria Chronicles was good but compared to the greats I just mentioned was barely noteworthy.

Back in the day Jrpgs weren't great because they had great characters, great story, great gameplay. Todays Jrpgs feel boring and shallow like a saturday morning Anime.

World Ends with you had much more engaging combat to me then most of yesterdays RPGs. Chrono Trigger is awesome but I don't understand peoples exessive love of it. That game is standard RPG fair for the ENTIRE FIRST HALF. It only turns into something special on the second half before it becomes open. Beofre that it was just good.

Nah there are still some great JRPG out there like Ys and Pokemon.

Agreed. Western RPG's are slowly taking the throne. JRPG's have become plum awful. The storylines were always somewhat confusing, but now they've just stopped trying. They should have never tried to fix what wasn't broken.

I agree JRPGS have been lacking for about a decade now however; IMO the ones you listed stack up well against the gems from the 90s. The quantity of quality JRPGS has been steadily decreasing, but the ones that are good, are just as good as those found in the past.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, JRPGs used to be good, just like FPS used to be better back in the days, just like Horror Games, just like (insert any other genre):roll:

Now if ou excuse me i'm going to enjoy classic games as well as new games.

ugh this again really?! Im tired of people acting like this. If jrpgs were so great back then just stay in the past then and dont complain about it.

I've played Tales of Vesperia, the World Ends with You, Lost Oddesy and those games are jokes compared to Final Fantast 6, Chrono Trigger, Panzer Dragoon Saga.

Even Valkeria Chronicles was good but compared to the greats I just mentioned was barely noteworthy.

Back in the day Jrpgs weren't great because they had great characters, great story, great gameplay. Todays Jrpgs feel boring and shallow like a saturday morning Anime.

Pray_to_me

People are probably rather tired of the whole "save-the-world" scenario. If RPGs tried to go beyond this type of plot, we'd definitely have resurging interest in the genre. That, and the fact that its gameplay has hardly changed for a decade or so. Maybe if we saw more than just single-player experiences, like co-op gameplay, JRPGs would feel a lot fresher. But I guess that many gamers and developers are too afraid of it because they think that it would only lead to a weaker single-player campaign. If we applied this same kind of thinking to licensed games, then we'd never get Batman: Arkham Asylum or The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay.

Agreed. Western RPG's are slowly taking the throne. JRPG's have become plum awful. The storylines were always somewhat confusing, but now they've just stopped trying. They should have never tried to fix what wasn't broken.

jubino

[QUOTE="jubino"]

Agreed. Western RPG's are slowly taking the throne. JRPG's have become plum awful. The storylines were always somewhat confusing, but now they've just stopped trying. They should have never tried to fix what wasn't broken.

siLVURcross

You just cant make some people happy no matter what.

It's the same for WRPG's

People are probably rather tired of the whole "save-the-world" scenario. If RPGs tried to go beyond this type of plot, we'd definitely have resurging interest in the genre. That, and the fact that its gameplay has hardly changed for a decade or so. Maybe if we saw more than just single-player experiences, like co-op gameplay, JRPGs would feel a lot fresher. But I guess that many gamers and developers are too afraid of it because they think that it would only lead to a weaker single-player campaign. If we applied this same kind of thinking to licensed games, then we'd never get Batman: Arkham Asylum or The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay.

Mawy_Golomb

Yet people still like games that have the save the X story line. Why would I want co-op in my story focused rpg. Thats like asking for co-op in ME or dragon age. Also there has been different types of gameplay to jrpgs and mechanics. Thats why there are sub genras like strategy jrpgs like disgea and valkyria chroinicals. Hell look at the TWEWY.

The problem is they are exactly like they used to be.

Except for a few rare exceptions(example Demon Souls, Valkyria Chronicles) JRPGs seem to stick with gameplay elements fromn the 90s, just with better looking graphics.

Story elements are mostly the same, story integration has not gotten better, and gameplay is mostly exactly the same

WRPGs and other game genres have evolved allot more, but JRPGs as a whole are stuck in the past.

I've played Tales of Vesperia, the World Ends with You, Lost Oddesy and those games are jokes compared to Final Fantast 6, Chrono Trigger, Panzer Dragoon Saga.

Even Valkeria Chronicles was good but compared to the greats I just mentioned was barely noteworthy.

Back in the day Jrpgs weren't great because they had great characters, great story, great gameplay. Todays Jrpgs feel boring and shallow like a saturday morning Anime.

Pray_to_me

The reason being the characters, story, battlesystems and environments aren't the same. Jrpgs of yesteryear used to be about saving the world, dark or heroic storylines with characters that resembled westerners.... now you have childish stories with anime characters talking about kid things and school... all looking like they are 12 but with enlarged breasts. There is no story its all fan service to I don't want to know who.

I was excited at the start of this gen for jrpgs but besides VC and the games on PSP and DS ... .console jrpgs have sucked big time!!!

What happened to games like FFT, Tactics Ogre, Suikoden, Vandel Hearts, Vagrant Story, Legned of Dragoon.... all with deep storylines and dark political turmoil with adult or near adult characters. Now you have stupid wierdo animal races and loolipop characters in final fantasy tactics advanced...or should i say "For Kids" instead? It bogles the mind. It almost feels like jrpg makers stopped making jrpgs that westerners would enjoy.

People are probably rather tired of the whole "save-the-world" scenario. If RPGs tried to go beyond this type of plot, we'd definitely have resurging interest in the genre. That, and the fact that its gameplay has hardly changed for a decade or so. Maybe if we saw more than just single-player experiences, like co-op gameplay, JRPGs would feel a lot fresher. But I guess that many gamers and developers are too afraid of it because they think that it would only lead to a weaker single-player campaign. If we applied this same kind of thinking to licensed games, then we'd never get Batman: Arkham Asylum or The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay.

Mawy_Golomb

The good ones are on the handhelds.

Here's hoping Xenoblade, The Last Story, Dragon Quest X, Tales of Graces f, Dark Souls (would you consider it?) and Tales of Xillia change that.

Nostalgia. And a bit of stagnation, I suppose. But WRPGs aren't much different. Stuff like Mass Effect 2 is barely an RPG, Oblivion is beyond generic, and the new Fallout games pale in comparison to the originals - Dragon Age is a mere shadow of Baldur's Gate 2, etc. Then you've got a game like Ultima VII that hasn't been equaled by anything. Sure, we've got shinier graphics and quality voice acting, but the biggest budget in the world can't save some of these games.DJ_Lae

urrgh ... I long for a Ultima VII ... make it happen Origin... oh wait... screw you EA!!!!

Oh and a ultima underworld fps game would be great too...how about some more party based wrpgs...that aren't like da2? I can only dream!

World Ends with you had much more engaging combat to me then most of yesterdays RPGs. Chrono Trigger is awesome but I don't understand peoples exessive love of it. That game is standard RPG fair for the ENTIRE FIRST HALF. It only turns into something special on the second half before it becomes open. Beofre that it was just good.

ActicEdge

Yeah agreed, personally I thought Chrono Cross was better... Idk maybe that makes me crazy or something lol

But yeah the World Ends With You was amazing... And Valkyria Chronicles is one of the best games EVER imo. I am also really liking Birth By Sleep and Yakuza 4 right now as well. But its some what true, there just isn't as much going on, on consoles at least.. The psp has been getting so many awesome JRPGs for the past few years with more to come, but I would like it if there were more memorable ones on consoles, I think thats why it seems the genre has declined so badly.. because all of the good ones are on handhelds and half of them don't even make it over here anymore because of how little NA and Europe seems to care about the psp and ds software

I like all the games that the TC is saying i still think that tales of the abyss was the best tales game ever made (even though they have others i have not played) but vesperia was cool i just didnt like how to get certain skills you had to use weak weapons. But to get back on track JRPG's as a whole like another user said is that they are stuck doing the same thing that they were doin in the 90's but i think they will come around and make them good again.

I always thought JRPG's were a joke. I am ahead of the curve wooo hoo.

[QUOTE="Mawy_Golomb"]

People are probably rather tired of the whole "save-the-world" scenario. If RPGs tried to go beyond this type of plot, we'd definitely have resurging interest in the genre. That, and the fact that its gameplay has hardly changed for a decade or so. Maybe if we saw more than just single-player experiences, like co-op gameplay, JRPGs would feel a lot fresher. But I guess that many gamers and developers are too afraid of it because they think that it would only lead to a weaker single-player campaign. If we applied this same kind of thinking to licensed games, then we'd never get Batman: Arkham Asylum or The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay.

finalfantasy94

Yet people still like games that have the save the X story line. Why would I want co-op in my story focused rpg. Thats like asking for co-op in ME or dragon age. Also there has been different types of gameplay to jrpgs and mechanics. Thats why there are sub genras like strategy jrpgs like disgea and valkyria chroinicals. Hell look at the TWEWY.

And the only thing hindering on the innovation of game developers is themselves for not taking any risks, especially when it comes to offering some interesting alternatives, like multiplayer or co-op in an RPG. Sure, it may take time before such ideas are implemented well, but that's exactly how every genre and idea starts off at first. It's nothing more than a speck of dust, before it grows into something very profitable and fun. That is the nature of creativity in all mediums (i.e. literature, cinema, TV, radio, theater, music, etc.) , not just video games.

JRPGs are still very enjoyable games. My personal 2 favorite RPGs this gen are Nier and Enchanted Arms. Which might sound like something to scoff at, but they were both great games that I thoroughly enjoyed, with great stories, characters, and gameplay.

I see a decline in the amount of quality JRPGs simply because of the overall decline of the titles coming out for the genre.

Of course before there were many great JRPGs, but that can be a direct correlation to them being made so frequently before.

When FPS's stop being as popular in a gen or so, the same complaints may arise, simply because of nostalgia and because not as many of them will probably be made when people start to get to the point where they are tired of the genre.

People are probably rather tired of the whole "save-the-world" scenario. If RPGs tried to go beyond this type of plot, we'd definitely have resurging interest in the genre. That, and the fact that its gameplay has hardly changed for a decade or so. Maybe if we saw more than just single-player experiences, like co-op gameplay, JRPGs would feel a lot fresher. But I guess that many gamers and developers are too afraid of it because they think that it would only lead to a weaker single-player campaign. If we applied this same kind of thinking to licensed games, then we'd never get Batman: Arkham Asylum or The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay.

Mawy_Golomb

Doubt it, people will never get tired of "save the world".. Stories have been doing it for thousands of years and I don't think theyll stop any time soon. And I just don't understand why everything needs multiplayer. Some times its good, but a game where the story matters should never have multiplayer.. its too distracting it doesn't work, it takes away from the game. And... how could you get someone to sit down and play an 80 hour game with you in its entirety?.. Thatd be insanity.

They are still good, its just they have changed a bit. I loved lost oddesey and ff13. Even though its not the same as FF6 etc, its still good.

JRPGs are still very enjoyable games. My personal 2 favorite RPGs this gen are Nier and Enchanted Arms. Which might sound like something to scoff at, but they were both great games that I thoroughly enjoyed, with great stories, characters, and gameplay.

I see a decline in the amount of quality JRPGs simply because of the overall decline of the titles coming out for the genre.

Of course before there were many great JRPGs, but that can be a direct correlation to them being made so frequently before.

When FPS's stop being as popular in a gen or so, the same complaints may arise, simply because of nostalgia and because not as many of them will probably be made when people start to get to the point where they are tired of the genre.

good_sk8er7

[QUOTE="Mawy_Golomb"]

People are probably rather tired of the whole "save-the-world" scenario. If RPGs tried to go beyond this type of plot, we'd definitely have resurging interest in the genre. That, and the fact that its gameplay has hardly changed for a decade or so. Maybe if we saw more than just single-player experiences, like co-op gameplay, JRPGs would feel a lot fresher. But I guess that many gamers and developers are too afraid of it because they think that it would only lead to a weaker single-player campaign. If we applied this same kind of thinking to licensed games, then we'd never get Batman: Arkham Asylum or The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay.

VendettaRed07

Doubt it, people will never get tired of "save the world".. Stories have been doing it for thousands of years and I don't think theyll stop any time soon. And I just don't understand why everything needs multiplayer. Some times its good, but a game where the story matters should never have multiplayer.. its too distracting it doesn't work, it takes away from the game. And... how could you get someone to sit down and play an 80 hour game with you in its entirety?.. Thatd be insanity.

Let us also not forget that genres like strategy games offer multiplayer that can last several hours long, so anything is possible. Giving players the option to play matches with each other that are short or long is a good idea. Most people probably don't have the patience to sit through an 80 hr. long story, but if you include the ability to get others to hop in and out of a game any time, anywhere, it could help ease some of the fatigue that is caused by long playing sessions.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, JRPGs used to be good, just like FPS used to be better back in the days, just like Horror Games, just like (insert any other genre):roll:

Now if ou excuse me i'm going to enjoy classic games as well as new games.

madsnakehhh

JRPGs lost their touch as soon as they started implementing voice acting. 90% of the dialogue in an JRPG just doesn't need to be heard. Imagine Final Fantasy 7 with voice acting. Try to picture some of Barret's lines being voiced out in a black man stereotype fashion and cringe at the very thought.

The only RPG game I've enjoyed this gen was Lost Odyssey and Tales of Vesperia, other than those two I just mentioned everything else was mediocre.

JRPGs lost their touch as soon as they started implementing voice acting. 90% of the dialogue in an JRPG just doesn't need to be heard. Imagine Final Fantasy 7 with voice acting. Try to picture some of Barret's lines being voiced out in a black man stereotype fashion and cringe at the very thought.

Stressthesky

i bet the tc hasnt played twe world ends with you, it has the best battle system in a jrpg since ever...

JRPGs lost their touch as soon as they started implementing voice acting. 90% of the dialogue in an JRPG just doesn't need to be heard. Imagine Final Fantasy 7 with voice acting. Try to picture some of Barret's lines being voiced out in a black man stereotype fashion and cringe at the very thought.

Stressthesky

Well if its bad voice acting in the game its the teams fault for not getting a good cast. Its not like all of the VO from jrpgs are awful. In ff13 I thought the VO was actually good and the only voice I didint like was vanile.

[QUOTE="finalfantasy94"]

[QUOTE="Mawy_Golomb"]

People are probably rather tired of the whole "save-the-world" scenario. If RPGs tried to go beyond this type of plot, we'd definitely have resurging interest in the genre. That, and the fact that its gameplay has hardly changed for a decade or so. Maybe if we saw more than just single-player experiences, like co-op gameplay, JRPGs would feel a lot fresher. But I guess that many gamers and developers are too afraid of it because they think that it would only lead to a weaker single-player campaign. If we applied this same kind of thinking to licensed games, then we'd never get Batman: Arkham Asylum or The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay.

Mawy_Golomb

Yet people still like games that have the save the X story line. Why would I want co-op in my story focused rpg. Thats like asking for co-op in ME or dragon age. Also there has been different types of gameplay to jrpgs and mechanics. Thats why there are sub genras like strategy jrpgs like disgea and valkyria chroinicals. Hell look at the TWEWY.

And the only thing hindering on the innovation of game developers is themselves for not taking any risks, especially when it comes to offering some interesting alternatives, like multiplayer or co-op in an RPG. Sure, it may take time before such ideas are implemented well, but that's exactly how every genre and idea starts off at first. It's nothing more than a speck of dust, before it grows into something very profitable and fun. That is the nature of creativity in all mediums (i.e. literature, cinema, TV, radio, theater, music, etc.) , not just video games.

imo co-op can only work in certain types of games. In a rpg aspect I only seeing it work well in dungion crawlers/loot collecting games. Something like xmen legends. Mainly cause those types of games can get pretty lonely and boring to certain people when its just them.

World Ends with you had much more engaging combat to me then most of yesterdays RPGs. Chrono Trigger is awesome but I don't understand peoples exessive love of it. That game is standard RPG fair for the ENTIRE FIRST HALF. It only turns into something special on the second half before it becomes open. Beofre that it was just good.

ActicEdge

It's not that they're worse, there are just less of them. Oh and remember to ignore the scores, Nier for example, is must play if you like the genre iho.

Agree. I've played plenty this gen and they're crap. FF13 was the best and the game isn't even that good... Linear JRPG=insta fail.silversix_

The Handhelds has been the place to be for JRPG's since the start of the gen.Dibdibdobdobo

Well that's the problem with jrpgs this gen. They moved onto inferior platforms.

[QUOTE="Dibdibdobdobo"]The Handhelds has been the place to be for JRPG's since the start of the gen.edidili

Well that's the problem with jrpgs this gen. They moved onto inferior platforms.

Inferior platforms offering superior gameplay. Totally makes sense. AYE?!