JRPGs are in a decline due to changing attitudes

Remember only a few years ago, during the PS and N64 era, or even before that for that matter and into PS2s time. I was just reading a post about someones former addiction to JRPGs and I kinda thought, for several years Role Playing games were the genre of the day in addition to others of course. SNES, PS, and PS2 pretty much created a golden age of role playing games particularly from Japan. Only within the past fews at the same time hasWRPGs made it into the spotlight, as for example what is one of the most anticipated game this holiday season, Mass Effect, infact I would say by some measures people are looking forward to that game than Halo 3 or other titles.

But back to the point, I believe in addition to changing attitudes JRPGs are in a decline not only due to taste, but also because of such an even playing field on console sales. The Xbox 360 has received newfound support in JRPGs such as Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon. But it isn't the same kind of dominance we have seen, especially in Japan. Nintendo consoles, not since SNES has it ever really had strong RPG titles.

But the main point here is I believe is because of Sony has lost developer support but also cause it has fallen behind in the console race, is why I believe JRPGs have fallen behind. I am not trying to blame Sony, I am just pointing out something that is true. Because due to the PS3s failure in sales, JRPGs have taken a set back, allowing for FPS to really take hold as the best genre to create.

Your thoughts?

That may have been the case in the last few years, but recently, we've seen a resurgence much like the PSX had around 99-02, especially (of course) on the PS2.

Odin Sphere, Rogue Galaxy, .hack//GU, Valkyrie Profile 2, Atelier Iris 3, and other games have really helped to get the genre back up and running. Then we have Growlanser: Heritage of War, Grimgrimoire, the conclusion of .hack//GU, and Persona 3 lined up to keep things running strong through the year.

By the time the PS3 and 360 are really set to pick up the JRPG ball and run with it, it will be a much stronger genre than it is right this moment. Slumps happen. This one's ending.

JRPG just won game of the month on EGM. (Persona 3)

Almost always, at least quality JRPG never came out at beginning of system life and usually start coming out on middle of system life. Often after FF game comes out because that usually secures that there is definite number of JRPG market out there.

SNES didn't have much JRPG until Final Fantasy IV came out

PSX didn't have JRPG other than Wild Arms until Final Fantasy VII came out

PS2 didn't have JRPG until Final Fantasy X came out.

This time it is not very different. Once Final Fantasy XIII comes out, you will see bunch of JRPGs coming out, until then the news about JRPG will probably be little quiet.

JRPG is still going strong and I don't see any indication that JRPG market is getting weaker.

You might not like JRPG and just wishes it to go away so console market is just full of even more FPS, but as long as people who likes to get more than just mindless fun out of gaming, JRPG genre will stay popular for long time.

I used to love JRPG games (FF, Chrono) as well asregular J games. However with the course of time I feel that they are lacking originality, cheesy characters and story lines. But really it was not all that different compared to old school JRPG's. I feel that the old bit systems went hand in hand with qwarky japanese-esque tastes. But as the consoles matured, it seems the developers of JRPG's havent. ( Mind you other games from japan, Resident Evil, MGS are still blowing the competition out of the water). I alos think that it may also that the gaming industry in Japan isdoing poorly,3rd partydevs are merging, or just going out of biz.

I used to love JRPG games (FF, Chrono) as well asregular J games. However with the course of time I feel that they are lacking originality, cheesy characters and story lines. But really it was not all that different compared to old school JRPG's. I feel that the old bit systems went hand in hand with qwarky japanese-esque tastes. But as the consoles matured, it seems the developers of JRPG's havent. ( Mind you other games from japan, Resident Evil, MGS are still blowing the competition out of the water). I alos think that it may also that the gaming industry in Japan isdoing poorly,3rd partydevs are merging, or just going out of biz.The_Rayzor

If only my vision of the Lunar series could somehow come to fruition...

Because due to the PS3s failure in sales, JRPGs have taken a set back, allowing for FPS to really take hold as the best genre to create.

Kiprusoff

That's true, and a lot of Japanese prefer to play casual games like Brain Age over a difficult RPG.

I used to love JRPG games (FF, Chrono) as well asregular J games. However with the course of time I feel that they are lacking originality, cheesy characters and story lines. But really it was not all that different compared to old school JRPG's. I feel that the old bit systems went hand in hand with qwarky japanese-esque tastes. But as the consoles matured, it seems the developers of JRPG's havent. ( Mind you other games from japan, Resident Evil, MGS are still blowing the competition out of the water). I alos think that it may also that the gaming industry in Japan isdoing poorly,3rd partydevs are merging, or just going out of biz.

The_Rayzor

I think originality of JRPG still stands strong.

Shadow Hearts gave us stories that is very unique. Mixing up characters of myths and fantasies with early 90s setting with historical characters getting involved.

Disgaea series have quirky Japanese humor

Suikoden has that Chinese history based storyline that has fantasy setting with characters that resembles historic characters. Making more of large scaled political battle than typical boy saves world type storyline.

Persona has that twisted storyline of odd high school life kind of thing.

I mean the originality of JRPG has expanded much more than SNES era. Not to mention they try to bring originality to their gameplay as well.

The problem is that after so much originality and many different unique characters, every characters now start to look like cliche characters because we have seen characters that would fit in every category. Silent type, stupid type, immature type, sarcastic type, etc etc etc has all been shown before.

If you just look at overall experience of JRPGs instead of specific character personality, then you will realize that originality is still very much alive in JRPG.

I don't see JRPGs on a decline..yet. Disgaea 3 was recently announced for the PS3..and the Wii, I think. Don't forget about White Knight Story, and, of course, the usual new Final Fantasy installment. JRPGs were pretty scarce at the beginning of PS2's 1st year. Give it time. We had to wait...what? A year for Final Fantasy X. That was torture for me though. :(

Although I don't care for JRPGS, it does seem like a pity because it looks like so much work goes into them and most go underappreciated. Plus, my brother plays them all the time and he's not even asian so that must mean they're doing something right.Sandro909

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I think mainstream RPGs have lost its luster only because they try too hard to cater and satisfy a market as a whole. Many people like it and the devs make money, so I guess that trend will continue. In cases like these, developing a high budgeted game poses a risk when it comes to innovating or doing something crazier than the usual. FFXII is a good example. Even though I enjoyed FFXII, many FF fans were turned off by its bold direction.

But hope is in games like Lost Odyssey, White Knight Story, and perhaps the Last Remnant can be a fresh new start for Square Enix.

Another ray of hope are the niche developers like NIS and Atlus who have more freedom to explore and be creative because of their lower profile development nature. Also, a dev like VanillaWare has this more indepedant freedom that bigger companies like Namco and Square can't explore in.

So RPGs will always be here to stay, but I think like comic books and movies, mainstream RPGs will stay the same but the lower-budget ones, like titles on the DS and the PSP, will continue the creativity that this genre needs.

Yes and I'm happy the JRPG genre is dying because every game is exactly the same and equally boring. The games are more based on chance than skill if you compared to real RPGs (Diablo2).ikwal

Because it takes alot of skill to click a monster to death with your mouse, finger dexterity and all that.

I like the fact that JRPGs have a cute, whimsical feel to them. However, I've noticed that from a gameplay standpoint, they can be tedious, repetitive, and restrictive. I'm looking at you Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos.

Western RPGs, by contrast, seem to have more thought and effort put into them. They treat their playerbase with a greater degree of maturity and offer more freedom.

I hate to say this, but even good JRPGs seem smaller in scale and scope than good WRPGs. It's like JRPG devs are somewhat lazy in comparison to their WRPG counterparts.

I like the fact that JRPGs have a cute, whimsical feel to them. However, I've noticed that from a gameplay standpoint, they can be tedious, repetitive, and restrictive. I'm looking at you Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos.

Western RPGs, by contrast, seem to have more thought and effort put into them. They treat their playerbase with a greater degree of maturity and offer more freedom.

I hate to say this, but even good JRPGs seem smaller in scale and scope than good WRPGs. It's like JRPG devs are somewhat lazy in comparison to their WRPG counterparts.

Blaze787

Have you played Final Fantasy XII? Dragon Quest VIII? I don't think it's laziness that's the factor here, but more like a different matter of taste.

FFXII, like I cited, is a giant MMORPG type of game with huge worlds to explore, tons of missions, items, weapons, armour, secrets, enemies, and hours, and hours of gameplay. I've spent 100+ hours on it and still haven't passed it! FFXII is like a FFXI offline mode.

So it's not smaller in scale or laziness, but more like JRPG developers are more focused on telling a story witha set path, beginning, middle, and an end, with virtually no freedom to explore for the player. FFXII and Dragon Quest VIII was the closest that allowed players to waste away their time doing nothing but exploring that gave the choice whether to progress the game or idle away your time. Others that focus more on story is the culprit that forces a linear game style, and this is why maybe you're thinking JRPGs have a smaller scale in nature, when really it's just the way the game is designed. FFX is a good example of this linear style, completely different from FFXII.

I like the fact that JRPGs have a cute, whimsical feel to them. However, I've noticed that from a gameplay standpoint, they can be tedious, repetitive, and restrictive. I'm looking at you Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos.

Western RPGs, by contrast, seem to have more thought and effort put into them. They treat their playerbase with a greater degree of maturity and offer more freedom.

I hate to say this, but even good JRPGs seem smaller in scale and scope than good WRPGs. It's like JRPG devs are somewhat lazy in comparison to their WRPG counterparts.

Blaze787

The JRPGs you named are two of the worst in the genre. WRPGs seem to have the opposite problem with a recent game like Oblivion, too wide open and aimless. Put in two hundred hours if you want, you still don't give a rats ass about a single character or event that happens within that game world, not one. The only satisfaction is in buffing up your stats and equipment, but there isn't anyone to show that stuff off to, which eventually leads to even that feeling really pointless. Morrowind had the same issue. The old man who got me into the Blades is leaving Morrowind? Cool, I get his skooma pipe! But anyway, I'll leave this thread now, since it seems destined to be yet another generic internet shouting match between fans of the two different flavors of RPG where everyone dissects each others posts line by line and rewords the same opinions over and over again in a thinly veiled attempt to get the last word in that goes on for at least 100 pages.

[QUOTE="Blaze787"]

I like the fact that JRPGs have a cute, whimsical feel to them. However, I've noticed that from a gameplay standpoint, they can be tedious, repetitive, and restrictive. I'm looking at you Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos.

Western RPGs, by contrast, seem to have more thought and effort put into them. They treat their playerbase with a greater degree of maturity and offer more freedom.

I hate to say this, but even good JRPGs seem smaller in scale and scope than good WRPGs. It's like JRPG devs are somewhat lazy in comparison to their WRPG counterparts.

VegetaJr

The JRPGs you named are two of the worst in the genre. WRPGs seem to have the opposite problem with a recent game like Oblivion, too wide open and aimless. Put in two hundred hours if you want, you still don't give a rats ass about a single character or event that happens within that game world, not one. The only satisfaction is in buffing up your stats and equipment, but there isn't anyone to show that stuff off to, which eventually leads to even that feeling really pointless. Morrowind had the same issue. The old man who got me into the Blades is leaving Morrowind? Cool, I get his skooma pipe! But anyway, I'll leave this thread now, since it seems destined to be yet another generic internet shouting match between fans of the two different flavors of RPG where everyone dissects each others posts line by line and rewords the same opinions over and over again in a thinly veiled attempt to get the last word in that goes on for at least 100 pages.

Oblivion and Diablo II are good examples on providing addicting gameplay that gives you a different type of satisfaction. I guess the conclusion is that these games are not for everybody...same thing can be said about JRPGs.

And the Tales` series isn't that bad...it's just, well...anime/manga. That's the best way I can explain that series. But you're right about Baiten Kaidos. The developer who thought adding a card-based play for its battle system must've lost it or wanted to torture people who played the game. Ugh...not my idea of fun. :?

You might not like JRPG and just wishes it to go away so console market is just full of even more FPS, but as long as people who likes to get more than just mindless fun out of gaming, JRPG genre will stay popular for long time.

TriangleHard

There are probably more JRPGs on Playstation consoles than there are FPS games on any console. Also, the topic creator is clearly a fan of RPGs (according to his avatar), so why would he want a flood of FPS games?

Oh, and what makes JRPGs less 'mindless' than any other genre? You spend most of the time either watching cutscenes or mindlessly grinding for levels/loot.

Sorry it has nothing to do with ps3 sales. The ps3 has only been out for a year and back in 2001 when ps2 was out it only had few jrpgs and now look how many they are. Also you seem to have forgot about the many games announced for ps3 and most of them are rpgs whther they were new ones or sequels. Rpgs will not decline in sales because even though some of them are boring and repetitve they provide a long life span and somewhat interesting stories. Why do people still play jrpgs? It's the same reason why people like to watch anime... why some likes fps, why other likes horror and yes horror games are the genre which are all the same and no one thought of reinventing them. It's a matter of taste and as sales shows people like them.

You might not like JRPG and just wishes it to go away so console market is just full of even more FPS, but as long as people who likes to get more than just mindless fun out of gaming, JRPG genre will stay popular for long time.

TriangleHard

Absolutely not, in my opinion to be a serious developer who takes care with games, then you should do RPGs. FPS games are a quick fix for gamers whose tastes are only for blowing things up and shooting things. I love RPGs, the story, graphics (usually great), and the gameplay. I can see where people are going, that PS3 is young still and RPGs will become successful in a year or two. But I will say that as someone pointed out Japan is interested in casual games like Brain Age or Wii Sports, it is early too judge but I would like to see how Final Fantasy XIII or White Night Story does up against Wii Fit, then perhaps I could be right or wrong. Even North America, I would like to see how Halo 3 or Mass Effect does up against Wii Sports and Brain Age. That sounds really weird, but look how successful Nintendo was against Gears of War with Wii Play and Sports, and then you had Cliffy B or his brother speak out against it in my opinion.

Yes, those JRPGs are in such decline that a new studio opened up to develop primarily for the X360.

If anything, the genre is in a slump due to the transitioning period to next gen hardware. That's even if developers even choose to produce for next gen consoles, notice Star Ocean 4 is currently listed for the PS2? And look at Persona 3, does that look next gen to you? If so, I recommend getting your eyes checked.

Oh, and another thing, here's a secret to RPGs, they take a lot of time to make see, so they don't just appear out of nowhere. I believe the real early test of next gen RPGs will come in the form of Bioshock, Blue Dragon and Lost Odessey.

Yes and I'm happy the JRPG genre is dying because every game is exactly the same and equally boring. The games are more based on chance than skill if you compared to real RPGs (Diablo2).ikwal

Diablo 2 sucked. It was all by chance of what items you get dropped and how you build your character. It was nothing about skills.

Also JRPG genre, how do you say they are exactly the same when each game supports vastly different storyline and very different combat system? Obivously you haven't played JRPG since SNES era.

Also JRPG genre is not dying. If anything id dying it is dungeon crawlers like Diablo that is dying.

[QUOTE="TriangleHard"]

You might not like JRPG and just wishes it to go away so console market is just full of even more FPS, but as long as people who likes to get more than just mindless fun out of gaming, JRPG genre will stay popular for long time.

Kiprusoff

Absolutely not, in my opinion to be a serious developer who takes care with games, then you should do RPGs. FPS games are a quick fix for gamers whose tastes are only for blowing things up and shooting things. I love RPGs, the story, graphics (usually great), and the gameplay. I can see where people are going, that PS3 is young still and RPGs will become successful in a year or two. But I will say that as someone pointed out Japan is interested in casual games like Brain Age or Wii Sports, it is early too judge but I would like to see how Final Fantasy XIII or White Night Story does up against Wii Fit, then perhaps I could be right or wrong. Even North America, I would like to see how Halo 3 or Mass Effect does up against Wii Sports and Brain Age. That sounds really weird, but look how successful Nintendo was against Gears of War with Wii Play and Sports, and then you had Cliffy B or his brother speak out against it in my opinion.

Sorry for quick judgement.

I saw your icon and thought it was another FPS character that looked like very typical FPS character.

As for RPGs, like I said, they usually come out at later part of system life so I'm not that worried. The lack of news about it worries me a bit, but for early stage of console life, Last Remanent, Final Fantasy XIII and vs XIII, and White Knight story etc is fairly good number so I think current gen is doing alright with RPGs.

And PS2 just released another JRPG. I think JRPG is just doing fine and it is just taking it's natural course. Sooner or later, we will get the usual games like Suikoden VI, Shadow heart sequel, Wild Arms sequel, Grandia sequel etc and good mix of new titles.

I hope Breath of Fire isn't dead, but that franchise might be dead for good.

[QUOTE="TriangleHard"]

You might not like JRPG and just wishes it to go away so console market is just full of even more FPS, but as long as people who likes to get more than just mindless fun out of gaming, JRPG genre will stay popular for long time.

Planeforger

There are probably more JRPGs on Playstation consoles than there are FPS games on any console. Also, the topic creator is clearly a fan of RPGs (according to his avatar), so why would he want a flood of FPS games?

Oh, and what makes JRPGs less 'mindless' than any other genre? You spend most of the time either watching cutscenes or mindlessly grinding for levels/loot.

well first I made about mistake about TC so I apologize for that.

As for FPS comment. Starting with PS3, the focus of game developers have shifted towards FPS and it happens to be the genre that has most titles announced. Jericho, Killzone 2, Call of Duty, Resistance, Ghost Recon, Rainbow 6, etc etc etc, which is why I have mentioned that.

As for being less mindless here is why.

First anything that involves rich story I'd say can't be mindless. I'm not sure about others, but when I experience with deep plot or good story, it makes me think. Think about the theme, the plot progression, character development, the moral values, metaphors, etc.

Second, JRPG is based on predicting enemy attack and choosing your actions. If you overpower them I guess it is unncessary, but most cases that's what you have to do. Also it is mostly about calculating numbers. Just about everything in JRPG is in number and I'd say math is one of those things that makes you think.

FPS is just point and shoot. It is nothing more than precision of your fingers. If you do think, then it becomes go around and shoot from behind. Not much thinking to do there.

well first I made about mistake about TC so I apologize for that.

As for FPS comment. Starting with PS3, the focus of game developers have shifted towards FPS and it happens to be the genre that has most titles announced. Jericho, Killzone 2, Call of Duty, Resistance, Ghost Recon, Rainbow 6, etc etc etc, which is why I have mentioned that.

As for being less mindless here is why.

First anything that involves rich story I'd say can't be mindless. I'm not sure about others, but when I experience with deep plot or good story, it makes me think. Think about the theme, the plot progression, character development, the moral values, metaphors, etc.

Second, JRPG is based on predicting enemy attack and choosing your actions. If you overpower them I guess it is unncessary, but most cases that's what you have to do. Also it is mostly about calculating numbers. Just about everything in JRPG is in number and I'd say math is one of those things that makes you think.

FPS is just point and shoot. It is nothing more than precision of your fingers. If you do think, then it becomes go around and shoot from behind. Not much thinking to do there.

TriangleHard

I find it funny how you're quick to correct a generalization about JRPG's and ask that poster "when's the last time you played a JRPG? the snes days?" and then you fire off an equally absurd generalization about FPS's

Jericho has a story that had input from a well established horror author. and if you take Call of Duty, GRAW, and Rainbow 6 into account then there goes your whole "all you do in FPS's is point and shoot" straight out the window.

so when's the last time you played a FPS? the Doom days?

[QUOTE="TriangleHard"]

well first I made about mistake about TC so I apologize for that.

As for FPS comment. Starting with PS3, the focus of game developers have shifted towards FPS and it happens to be the genre that has most titles announced. Jericho, Killzone 2, Call of Duty, Resistance, Ghost Recon, Rainbow 6, etc etc etc, which is why I have mentioned that.

As for being less mindless here is why.

First anything that involves rich story I'd say can't be mindless. I'm not sure about others, but when I experience with deep plot or good story, it makes me think. Think about the theme, the plot progression, character development, the moral values, metaphors, etc.

Second, JRPG is based on predicting enemy attack and choosing your actions. If you overpower them I guess it is unncessary, but most cases that's what you have to do. Also it is mostly about calculating numbers. Just about everything in JRPG is in number and I'd say math is one of those things that makes you think.

FPS is just point and shoot. It is nothing more than precision of your fingers. If you do think, then it becomes go around and shoot from behind. Not much thinking to do there.

smerlus

I find it funny how you're quick to correct a generalization about JRPG's and ask that poster "when's the last time you played a JRPG? the snes days?" and then you fire off an equally absurd generalization about FPS's

Jericho has a story that had input from a well established horror author. and if you take Call of Duty, GRAW, and Rainbow 6 into account then there goes your whole "all you do in FPS's is point and shoot" straight out the window.

so when's the last time you played a FPS? the Doom days?

Ya I got to agree with Smerlus here, examples like Bioshock or Metroid Prime series really proves your wrong on FPSs

[QUOTE="TriangleHard"]

well first I made about mistake about TC so I apologize for that.

As for FPS comment. Starting with PS3, the focus of game developers have shifted towards FPS and it happens to be the genre that has most titles announced. Jericho, Killzone 2, Call of Duty, Resistance, Ghost Recon, Rainbow 6, etc etc etc, which is why I have mentioned that.

As for being less mindless here is why.

First anything that involves rich story I'd say can't be mindless. I'm not sure about others, but when I experience with deep plot or good story, it makes me think. Think about the theme, the plot progression, character development, the moral values, metaphors, etc.

Second, JRPG is based on predicting enemy attack and choosing your actions. If you overpower them I guess it is unncessary, but most cases that's what you have to do. Also it is mostly about calculating numbers. Just about everything in JRPG is in number and I'd say math is one of those things that makes you think.

FPS is just point and shoot. It is nothing more than precision of your fingers. If you do think, then it becomes go around and shoot from behind. Not much thinking to do there.

smerlus

I find it funny how you're quick to correct a generalization about JRPG's and ask that poster "when's the last time you played a JRPG? the snes days?" and then you fire off an equally absurd generalization about FPS's

Jericho has a story that had input from a well established horror author. and if you take Call of Duty, GRAW, and Rainbow 6 into account then there goes your whole "all you do in FPS's is point and shoot" straight out the window.

so when's the last time you played a FPS? the Doom days?

I played Call of Duty and Rainbow 6.

Rainbow 6, isn't that considered tactical shooter rather than normal FPS?

As for Call of Duty, it was just point and shoot. Ok maybe there is duck and throw grenade...

As for story goes, I don't think it was well told or was very deep. Story was only there to keep the mood alive, other than that it didn't really serve much purpose other than to give you setting and reason for you to shoot. JRPGs, you go through battles and exploration to get to the story and story is main reason why I'd play the game. If it isn't for story I wouldn't have finished Xenosaga II which I hated so much. I don't think I'll be playing Call of Duty for story.

I also played Halo, story was better than I expected so it wasn't bad got me thinking slightly, but when game started it was still back to point and shoot. And then Halo 2 I played it, and story went out the window and it was just another point and shoot game.

As for Metriod, it is little deeper because it is platform adventure game as well as it being FPS.

So far, all FPS I've played was just point and shoot with very little care for the storyline. I haven't experienced anything that really required me to think unless I get lost where to go. Point and shoot is all I did so that's what I say about them.

I don't think it's fare to say "I'd be glad if we got less cos I don't like them!" as a few people have. That's a very selfish and shallow view point. If you don't like them, don't PLAY them. Simple as that, problem solved. If someone who likes, say, FPS games was complaining they were making less I wouldn't do that to him, because everyone has the right to like what the hell they want.

On to topic: I've been very happy with the RPGs released here of late, many of which never would have made it here before! But for the most part, many of the more Japanese RPGs (Disgaea, Shin Megami Tensei, Atelier Iris and so on) still only generate a small profit on the larger scale, as its still a small (but ever growing) fan base. As such, larger companies don't care to give them to us. For example, despite the hype and the fact fans were crying out for it, Namco x Capcom was never released in the west because both companies involved feel the profit isn't big enough. With this in mind, the RPGs with that strong Japanese feel are mostly released by smaller companies who are happy with a smaller profit, but of course this means the games are on a far lower budget, and thus they continue to generate money from the previous gen. consoles (in Sony's case, the PS2). And so we end up waiting a bit longer as the more mainstream money-makers chew through the first months of a next gen. consoles release.

I agree that the quality of JRPG's are at a decline I mean just look at the genres sales ratio to others *with third party only counting*, however lately the genre is innovating more so then ever before especially on the Nintendo DS. It's mixing in RTS elements, Dungeon Crawling with a hint of action elements, sidescrolling platforming elements, WRPG and Adventure Elements, Online Elements, Multiplayer Elements, etc. Also about my comment on the decline, that maybe for the sheer fact that it's been a while since a "big hitter" came to the Japanese market to rejuvenate the genre.

As for shooters, I see it as just another phase similar to the fighting games conquering the Japanese market or the platformers counquering world-wide. It will continue until either the console market gets bored or a new company takes the market that has a different focus. *Similar to how SONY ended the reign of platformers and Japan just got bored of Fighthing games* I'm not saying that shooters will "die" on consoles in the future, just that they won't be at all as popular now.

Yes and I'm happy the JRPG genre is dying because every game is exactly the same and equally boring. The games are more based on chance than skill if you compared to real RPGs (Diablo2).ikwal

Just how many JRPG's have you played.

Also incase people haven't noticed JRPG's have been selling less and less and less in Japan over the years. Personally I feel like the Adventure genre *phoenix wright* is taking in. I mean last week there were only 3 JRPG's on the Media Create chart and 8 Adventure games. Also hack-n-slash dungeon crawlers are really rare so if JRPG's are dying because they are the same and boring, then what would that make hack-n-slash dungeon crawlers since they are all pretty much dead?

I like the fact that JRPGs have a cute, whimsical feel to them. However, I've noticed that from a gameplay standpoint, they can be tedious, repetitive, and restrictive. I'm looking at you Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos.

Western RPGs, by contrast, seem to have more thought and effort put into them. They treat their playerbase with a greater degree of maturity and offer more freedom.

I hate to say this, but even good JRPGs seem smaller in scale and scope than good WRPGs. It's like JRPG devs are somewhat lazy in comparison to their WRPG counterparts.

Blaze787

Ummm first of all cute and cuddly? Play any game made by Shin Megmi Tensi? Also freedom isn't what JRPG's are ment for. Most core JRPG's *not all* usually lean towards the combat system, try playing Dragon Force, Odin Sphere, or Disgaea. They're two totally different genres.

Yes, those JRPGs are in such decline that a new studio opened up to develop primarily for the X360.

If anything, the genre is in a slump due to the transitioning period to next gen hardware. That's even if developers even choose to produce for next gen consoles, notice Star Ocean 4 is currently listed for the PS2? And look at Persona 3, does that look next gen to you? If so, I recommend getting your eyes checked.

Oh, and another thing, here's a secret to RPGs, they take a lot of time to make see, so they don't just appear out of nowhere. I believe the real early test of next gen RPGs will come in the form of Bioshock, Blue Dragon and Lost Odessey.

MarcusAntonius

They won't go on next-gen hardware because both the hardware and the software sales for the PS3 and XBox 360 are horrid in Japan and the PS2 is higher in both hardware and software so why would they make the jump especially if it's more expensive to make the games and when almost every JRPG sells more in Japan then overseas? This is why most companies are focusing on the DS like Square-Enix with DQIX, IaWW, FFIV, FFCC, just for some, and Namco with it's Tales of Innonce just as a few examples. I agree with your post that this year will be the test, we will see, however I don't see too many third party publishers looking at the 360 and so far their games haven't sold that well and I'd doubt they'd focus on those systems regardless of how good either do in the West being that Japanese publishers make almost twice as much with Domestic sales then Overseas sales. But I agree you do have to wait for these things., possibly with the right marketing and hype JRPG's could sell extremely well here in the West more so then before. However the PS3 already has an impresive line of JRPG's for '08, but the majority are lowbudget niche titles and more cult titles like Disgaea 3 and the 360 has only 2 JRPG's lined-up for '08 *though who knows if they're more since they kept quite at E3* so it may be a while if we ever see a flow of JRPG's on these systems.

I find it funny how you're quick to correct a generalization about JRPG's and ask that poster "when's the last time you played a JRPG? the snes days?" and then you fire off an equally absurd generalization about FPS's

Jericho has a story that had input from a well established horror author. and if you take Call of Duty, GRAW, and Rainbow 6 into account then there goes your whole "all you do in FPS's is point and shoot" straight out the window.

so when's the last time you played a FPS? the Doom days?

smerlus

Agreed. I hear constant bickering of both genres of how they are "stale"

As an avid fan of both genres I can tell that anybody who claims that all the games are the same or similar just don't know too much about the genres. I mean JRPG's have many different sub genres: turnbased, action, strategy, sidescrolling, simulation, tactical, etc. And now the genre is more innovative then ever before. FPS's always offers it's innovations from time to time *such as the most recent S.T.A.L.K.E.R.* : MFPS, WRPG/FPS, ActionFPS, TacticalFPS, Action-AdventureFPS, AdventureFPS, etc.

I mean thes genres have been popular for as long for a reason. I mean how are they different from other genres? How has the racing genre evolved or how much varitey does it offer compared to 10 years ago? Fighting genre? Action genre? Adventure genre? These statements could be said about any genre. And those who say they got bored of the genre because it doesn't evolve or whatnot *hear this constanly for both genres* well of course if you play the same type of game for a few years you'll get bored of it. That's what happen to me with Action-Adventure games. Now I wasn't targeting the poster you replied to Smerlus as he apologized but the thought of this matter in general. :)

Would be JRPGs games based on turn combat?

If so, I would say "yes", talking about the worldwide gamers.

People's demand for dynamic games has increased, however, is not the end for RPGs.

Every genre has passed by adaptations and RPGs as well.

We can see that today's RPGs are still captivating but they have more "action" than the past ones.