jRPGs a Junk Food genre?

Are japan RPGs a junk food genre?

Yea...I'm a big fan of computer RPGs and I asked somebody who is also a fan of computer RPGs to recommend some jRPGs (he plays those too). He told me not to bother that "jRPGs are a junkfood genre".

I'm not entirely sure what he meant. My guess is he's saying that they're cookie-cutter.

Yes, I've played Chrono Trigger recently and thought it was relatively mediocre, but it's recognized as one of the best japan RPGs of all time.

It's only a "junk food" genre in the sense that I put away considerable quantities of Pringles, Hot Pockets, Kit Kats, and Mountain Dew while playing them. There are a ton of JRPGs worth playing. Start with Shin Megami Tensei games, Grandia games, and early (pre-PS2) Final Fantasy. I still remember the .hack massacre of 2004... >_>DarkCatalyst

I wish I understood this forums obsession with bashing this genre. I really do.ViewtifulScott

There jealous they get stuck with 10 hour games while jrpgs are usually 25-50 hours.

Those who say that are the typical WRPG elitists that I loathe so much. But though it's meant as a negative comment, I see it as positive: you buy it cheap, your health might deteriorate, but they're tasty on a whole other level. Saying one genre is "insert negative thing here" is stupid, biased and ignorant. Everyone has differing tastes, and people have to respect them. But I can't expect that on the internet...

I wish I understood this forums obsession with bashing this genre. I really do.ViewtifulScott

As do I. As do I.

Yes, I've played Chrono Trigger recently and thought it was relatively mediocre, but it's recognized as one of the best japan RPGs of all time.

dchase2k8

Well, be careful with what people rate as the best of all time because people are more likely to overrate old games, especially for the super nintendo.

Try Xenogears.

It's only a "junk food" genre in the sense that I put away considerable quantities of Pringles, Hot Pockets, Kit Kats, and Mountain Dew while playing them. There are a ton of JRPGs worth playing. Start with Shin Megami Tensei games, Grandia games, and early (pre-PS2) Final Fantasy. I still remember the .hack massacre of 2004... >_>DarkCatalyst

I wouldn't start with that series.

Obviously he's just a Western-centric gamer who has bias against Japanese gaming. So no, JRPGs are not "junk".

[QUOTE="ViewtifulScott"]I wish I understood this forums obsession with bashing this genre. I really do.warmaster670

There jealous they get stuck with 10 hour games while jrpgs are usually 25-50 hours.

Well I love junk food, so I'm fine with the title. :P

[QUOTE="warmaster670"]

[QUOTE="ViewtifulScott"]I wish I understood this forums obsession with bashing this genre. I really do.Diablo-B

There jealous they get stuck with 10 hour games while jrpgs are usually 25-50 hours.

Im not sure what "junk food genre" means but from the poster I think he meant it in a negative way. JRPGs are great but they've been a bit lacking in originality as of late hopefully FF13 fixes that.

FFXIII isn't as original storywise as it could be, but the gameplay is a big step forward. However, it's the exact opposite of what a WRPG fan would like (very linear with a huge focus on a greatly improved battle system).

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"][QUOTE="warmaster670"]

There jealous they get stuck with 10 hour games while jrpgs are usually 25-50 hours.

hakanakumono

Im not sure what "junk food genre" means but from the poster I think he meant it in a negative way. JRPGs are great but they've been a bit lacking in originality as of late hopefully FF13 fixes that.

FFXIII isn't as original storywise as it could be, but the gameplay is a big step forward. However, it's the exact opposite of what a WRPG fan would like (very linear with a huge focus on a greatly improved battle system).

Everyone knows the true RPGs are pen and paper only. (Also known as Tabletop Games.) I hope I can play one some day. There is even a small shop that sells them, but one one seems to play. :(

I have four brothers and sisters, half of them even play MMORPGs like WoW. But somehow a PnP game is too 'geeky' for them! :evil:

[QUOTE="hakanakumono"]

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"] There are many none jrpgs that are as long if not longer then JRPGs. Fallout 3 and Oblivion for example each have 100s of hours of game play.

Im not sure what "junk food genre" means but from the poster I think he meant it in a negative way. JRPGs are great but they've been a bit lacking in originality as of late hopefully FF13 fixes that.Diablo-B

FFXIII isn't as original storywise as it could be, but the gameplay is a big step forward. However, it's the exact opposite of what a WRPG fan would like (very linear with a huge focus on a greatly improved battle system).

I know, I'm saying that FFXIII is very linear.

[QUOTE="hakanakumono"]

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"] There are many none jrpgs that are as long if not longer then JRPGs. Fallout 3 and Oblivion for example each have 100s of hours of game play.

Im not sure what "junk food genre" means but from the poster I think he meant it in a negative way. JRPGs are great but they've been a bit lacking in originality as of late hopefully FF13 fixes that.Diablo-B

FFXIII isn't as original storywise as it could be, but the gameplay is a big step forward. However, it's the exact opposite of what a WRPG fan would like (very linear with a huge focus on a greatly improved battle system).

Dragon Age and both Mass Effects are very linear experiences. I should know - I've played 'em, and I still love 'em for it. They're no more sandbox than a Final Fantasy game that is nearing its climax. Sure, there's an illusion of open-endedness, however, it's just that - an illusion. Dragon Age was very linear - you could choose where you wanted to go first and what kind of side you were on, but beyond that, you were on a set path, much the same as Mass Effect, with a bunch of side quests in between.

My friend swears by these games (he recommended them to me and said these were the only 'real' rpgs).

- Arcanum

- Fallout 1 & 2

- Vampire Bloodlines - Masquerade

- Deus Ex

- Planescape: Torment

He says these are the only true RPG experiences and that the Genre has gone to crap over the last 10 yrs.

I think he meant that we over-indulge in JRPGs. If that's true, then I'd say FPS is a junkfood genre, too. Doesn't mean it's bad, just means that they're popular. Maybe too popular for their own good..?

He swears by BGII claiming that it's the only real RPG BioWare has ever made. And nothing recent comes close to its quality/depth.

^ That's his prerogative, and his alone. Doesn't mean it's fact. In my opinion, the only true RPG I've ever played was D&D tabletop. Is it fact? Don't know, don't care. I enjoy JRPGs for what they are, I enjoy WRPGs for what they are. Oh well.

Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, your friend's just sucks. KOTOR I and II both own. Fable owns. Fable II. Oblivion. Dragon Age: Origins. The list goes on and on. Turn around and you'll find a great RPG. Oh, and did I mention Fable? I love that one. :D EDIT: Oops, forgot Mass Effect.

Dragon Age and both Mass Effects are very linear experiences. I should know - I've played 'em, and I still love 'em for it. They're no more sandbox than a Final Fantasy game that is nearing its climax. Sure, there's an illusion of open-endedness, however, it's just that - an illusion. Dragon Age was very linear - you could choose where you wanted to go first and what kind of side you were on, but beyond that, you were on a set path, much the same as Mass Effect, with a bunch of side quests in between.

My friend swears by these games (he recommended them to me and said these were the only 'real' rpgs).

- Arcanum

- Fallout 1 & 2

- Vampire Bloodlines - Masquerade

- Deus Ex

- Planescape: Torment

He says these are the only true RPG experiences and that the Genre has gone to crap over the last 10 yrs.

dchase2k8