Which genre pulls you into the game world more? Wrpgs or Jrpgs?
This topic is locked from further discussion.
That totally depends on your personal tastes. I've seen increadible worlds from both genres, it's just a matter of what style you prefer.
Not about the which is an rpg or not or other boring redone things. It's time to go smooth with a totally new look at two genres, that nobody ever asks about. The game WORLD itself. Jakandsigz
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They may be the rules but people are still going to choose which of the two they want to win, like a popularity contest.
Polls on this forum have become pointless because the results are always skewed by numerous alt-accounts.
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Anyway. I have limited experience with JRPG's because of their predominantly 'hands-off' gameplay style, so by default choose WRPG's.
For consoles it could be legitimately argued either way as most of them adopt a viewpoint that has you looking in on the character rather than being the character. Bring PC WRPG'S into the equation and they're streets ahead for immersion in every way.
Seeing as to how there are far more JRPG's that I love than there are WRPG's (though if Diablo II is a WRPG that is my favorite), I would obviously go with JRPG's.  SO many great game worlds.  I will say, that while  FFX is not my favorite JRPG, the games story and opening scene kept me absolutely hooked and addicted to the game.
It really all comes down to how well the game is made, and how good of a story and world it presents to you. It doesn't matter if it's a JRPG or a WRPG, either can pull you in with stellar design, or either can completely alienate you with bad gameplay or an overly complicated-story.
However, I have found that if the game is made well, has a good world and a good story, and also happens to be able to be played in first-person view, then it seems to draw me in more than without first-person view. And often, it's WRPGs that have the first-person view, when they do.
Depends entirely on the game, but I'd say WRPG's since several are my favorite games of all time.Â
WRPGs.
I find the worlds in games like Ultima IX, Gothic 3, Oblivion, Ultima Underworld, Ultima VII, Diablo II, Baldur's Gate II, Arx Fatalis, ect. to be more immersive than the worlds in JRPGs.
But I personally like action-adventures better than both. (for example Majora's Mask's world was amazingly immersive to me)
Personally I feel that Jrpgs have better stories but Wrpgs are more immersive games.
The folks at Extra Credits summed it up well when they said that most western rpgs generally have "empty vessel" characters that the player is supposed to become as they explore the world. While Japanese rpgs usually put the player in the role of observer rather than cast them as the protagonist.
Games like Skyrim, Baldur's Gate, or KOTOR are all more open ended and feature characters that essentially exist for you to play however you want. While Final Fantasy VI, Xenogears, or Ni no Kuni have you following the main character and watching them interact with the world around them.
I quite like games such as Oblivion and Skyrim even though they are very glitchy but I HATE JRPGS!! I genuinely don't see the point in them existing because they are boring and you can't even play the game properly, why "input" an attack when you can actually perform it? I really don't see the appeal and with all JRPGS they seem to have a very childish storyline like "oh my god I'm a 12 year old boy and I'm going to save the world" when in reality this 12 year old boy would have been mauled to death! They are just so unrealistic, boring and there is nothing about them that appeals to me, I prefer to get stuck in the action!I-AM-N00B
I like you.
for me personally, the answer is temporal; JRPGs USED to draw me in better, and NOW WRPGs do.
the difference has been the shift in technology for me.
back in the day (like NES-SAT/PSX eras) jrps were much better to pull me into the gameworld.
the technology simply allowed the gameworld in jrpgs to be more interesting and creative, while most wrpgs were stagnant and bland.
examples:
SATURN - play "albert odyssey" and compare it to "virtual hydlide"
PLAYSTATION - play "final fantasy VII" and compare it to "King's Field" (sorry Emerald, love you man)
fact is, early wrpgs pre-PS2/Xbox era tended to have blocky bland worlds, either generic hallway crawlers, or first person views with relatively bland walls and surroundings, while jrpgs could simply manage more creatively.
BUT NOW.....
as technology has allowed much better environments and gameplay, you can have games like Elder Scrolls, Fallout etc etc be much more dynamic and immersive.
I now find myself playing way more WRPGs than JRPGs, especially given that WRPGs have continued to expand to open environments while most JRPGs have unfortunately remained locked in the linear experience and immersion
*DISCLAIMER* this is just my subjective personal opinion.
I quite like games such as Oblivion and Skyrim even though they are very glitchy but I HATE JRPGS!! I genuinely don't see the point in them existing because they are boring and you can't even play the game properly, why "input" an attack when you can actually perform it? I really don't see the appeal and with all JRPGS they seem to have a very childish storyline like "oh my god I'm a 12 year old boy and I'm going to save the world" when in reality this 12 year old boy would have been mauled to death! They are just so unrealistic, boring and there is nothing about them that appeals to me, I prefer to get stuck in the action!I-AM-N00BThe attraction for menu-based battle systems is that they allow for much more complexity. Even extremely well done real time RPG battle systems like The Witcher's or Xenoblade's tend to be less complex. In a turn based RPG such as Lufia II you can completely control every action of every character; you decide when and how to use magic, special item based abilities, physical attacks, items, monsters, etc. Especially with games like recent Elder Scrolls games, the combat is real time but it's so shallow that you may as well not be playing an RPG at all.
Especially with games like recent Elder Scrolls games, the combat is real time but it's so shallow that you may as well not be playing an RPG at all.famicommander
Firstly, the combat in Skyrim was wonderful, and secondly, your ability to perform well in combat is the culmination of all the time and effort you put into finding, crafting, augmenting your weapons and armor, how you built and progressed your character, which spells and shouts you've learned, and which skills you opted to put your points into.....so, as far as I'm concerned, RPG related and far from "shallow".
[QUOTE="I-AM-N00B"]I quite like games such as Oblivion and Skyrim even though they are very glitchy but I HATE JRPGS!! I genuinely don't see the point in them existing because they are boring and you can't even play the game properly, why "input" an attack when you can actually perform it? I really don't see the appeal and with all JRPGS they seem to have a very childish storyline like "oh my god I'm a 12 year old boy and I'm going to save the world" when in reality this 12 year old boy would have been mauled to death! They are just so unrealistic, boring and there is nothing about them that appeals to me, I prefer to get stuck in the action!Emerald_Warrior
I like you.
There are plenty of JRPG's that have nothing to do with teenagers, you guys are just generalizing. I can't argue with the combat though, each has they're own tastes :P[QUOTE="I-AM-N00B"]I quite like games such as Oblivion and Skyrim even though they are very glitchy but I HATE JRPGS!! I genuinely don't see the point in them existing because they are boring and you can't even play the game properly, why "input" an attack when you can actually perform it? I really don't see the appeal and with all JRPGS they seem to have a very childish storyline like "oh my god I'm a 12 year old boy and I'm going to save the world" when in reality this 12 year old boy would have been mauled to death! They are just so unrealistic, boring and there is nothing about them that appeals to me, I prefer to get stuck in the action!famicommanderThe attraction for menu-based battle systems is that they allow for much more complexity. Even extremely well done real time RPG battle systems like The Witcher's or Xenoblade's tend to be less complex. In a turn based RPG such as Lufia II you can completely control every action of every character; you decide when and how to use magic, special item based abilities, physical attacks, items, monsters, etc. Especially with games like recent Elder Scrolls games, the combat is real time but it's so shallow that you may as well not be playing an RPG at all.
One reason I really liked the VATS system in Fallout 3 is because it's such a clever way to blend an fps with a turn-based rpg system. It's not perfect, and some people don't prefer to use it, but I think it's a great attempt and I enjoyed using it.Â
The attraction for menu-based battle systems is that they allow for much more complexity. Even extremely well done real time RPG battle systems like The Witcher's or Xenoblade's tend to be less complex. In a turn based RPG such as Lufia II you can completely control every action of every character; you decide when and how to use magic, special item based abilities, physical attacks, items, monsters, etc. Especially with games like recent Elder Scrolls games, the combat is real time but it's so shallow that you may as well not be playing an RPG at all.[QUOTE="famicommander"][QUOTE="I-AM-N00B"]I quite like games such as Oblivion and Skyrim even though they are very glitchy but I HATE JRPGS!! I genuinely don't see the point in them existing because they are boring and you can't even play the game properly, why "input" an attack when you can actually perform it? I really don't see the appeal and with all JRPGS they seem to have a very childish storyline like "oh my god I'm a 12 year old boy and I'm going to save the world" when in reality this 12 year old boy would have been mauled to death! They are just so unrealistic, boring and there is nothing about them that appeals to me, I prefer to get stuck in the action!Blueresident87
One reason I really liked the VATS system in Fallout 3 is because it's such a clever way to blend an fps with a turn-based rpg system. It's not perfect, and some people don't prefer to use it, but I think it's a great attempt and I enjoyed using it.Â
Yeah I loved the V.A.T.S System
JRPGs are linear, event-driven, and very story-oriented... the world changes in a very straight and obvious way, you're never really drawn into it in my experience.
WRPGs like the Fallout games (even the old ones) and the Elder Scrolls series are open-ended, very random, can be done out of order. You come into a world of unknowns, and even later playthroughs can still surprise you and suck you in as you find thins you didn't see before. Playing Morrowind again the other day, even though I have thousands upon thousands of hours in this game, I came across a cave that led me into a part of Morrowind I'd never seen before. The world draws me in as it feels realistic, not stale, to me
Seems fair enough. It has a lot to do with the fact that even if it is not a blank character, you are allowed to build it. I think that might be a bit more immersive, but there are Jrpgs that head in that direction like the Kings Field.JRPGs are linear, event-driven, and very story-oriented... the world changes in a very straight and obvious way, you're never really drawn into it in my experience.
WRPGs like the Fallout games (even the old ones) and the Elder Scrolls series are open-ended, very random, can be done out of order. You come into a world of unknowns, and even later playthroughs can still surprise you and suck you in as you find thins you didn't see before. Playing Morrowind again the other day, even though I have thousands upon thousands of hours in this game, I came across a cave that led me into a part of Morrowind I'd never seen before. The world draws me in as it feels realistic, not stale, to me
WiiCubeM1
[QUOTE="WiiCubeM1"]Seems fair enough. It has a lot to do with the fact that even if it is not a blank character, you are allowed to build it. I think that might be a bit more immersive, but there are Jrpgs that head in that direction like the Kings Field.JRPGs are linear, event-driven, and very story-oriented... the world changes in a very straight and obvious way, you're never really drawn into it in my experience.
WRPGs like the Fallout games (even the old ones) and the Elder Scrolls series are open-ended, very random, can be done out of order. You come into a world of unknowns, and even later playthroughs can still surprise you and suck you in as you find thins you didn't see before. Playing Morrowind again the other day, even though I have thousands upon thousands of hours in this game, I came across a cave that led me into a part of Morrowind I'd never seen before. The world draws me in as it feels realistic, not stale, to me
Jakandsigz
If it's like King's Field, it's not a JRPG.
Seems fair enough. It has a lot to do with the fact that even if it is not a blank character, you are allowed to build it. I think that might be a bit more immersive, but there are Jrpgs that head in that direction like the Kings Field.[QUOTE="Jakandsigz"][QUOTE="WiiCubeM1"]
JRPGs are linear, event-driven, and very story-oriented... the world changes in a very straight and obvious way, you're never really drawn into it in my experience.
WRPGs like the Fallout games (even the old ones) and the Elder Scrolls series are open-ended, very random, can be done out of order. You come into a world of unknowns, and even later playthroughs can still surprise you and suck you in as you find thins you didn't see before. Playing Morrowind again the other day, even though I have thousands upon thousands of hours in this game, I came across a cave that led me into a part of Morrowind I'd never seen before. The world draws me in as it feels realistic, not stale, to me
Emerald_Warrior
If it's like King's Field, it's not a JRPG.
I said that more Jrpgs are heading in that direction like Kings Field. That's a good thing imo, but I am sure we have many people who will disagree.Seems fair enough. It has a lot to do with the fact that even if it is not a blank character, you are allowed to build it. I think that might be a bit more immersive, but there are Jrpgs that head in that direction like the Kings Field.[QUOTE="Jakandsigz"][QUOTE="WiiCubeM1"]
JRPGs are linear, event-driven, and very story-oriented... the world changes in a very straight and obvious way, you're never really drawn into it in my experience.
WRPGs like the Fallout games (even the old ones) and the Elder Scrolls series are open-ended, very random, can be done out of order. You come into a world of unknowns, and even later playthroughs can still surprise you and suck you in as you find thins you didn't see before. Playing Morrowind again the other day, even though I have thousands upon thousands of hours in this game, I came across a cave that led me into a part of Morrowind I'd never seen before. The world draws me in as it feels realistic, not stale, to me
Emerald_Warrior
If it's like King's Field, it's not a JRPG.
I find that to be a most unfortunate and troubling statement, in that it pre-supposes that JRPGs are somehow locked to the linear model, which I don't believe to the be the case, at least THEORETICALLY.
see, what makes a game inherantly "Japanese" for me personally is the art style and focus on anime-esque type settings and aesthetic
but i see no specific reason why that couldn't be done with an open, more traditionally western style gameworld design.
I mean, if you took SKYRIM, and just changed the "skin" of the game to look more anime-like, would it be a WRPG or JRPG?
(basically, does the "J" in JRPG represent the visual and anime style, or must it include a linear based environment?)
I mean, maybe this is just a pipe-dream here, but.....
If a game came out that had an open world non-linear exploration and combat like SKYRIM, but had visuals more akin to a Final Fantasy or Tales game, I would honestly be in heaven
[QUOTE="Emerald_Warrior"]
[QUOTE="Jakandsigz"] Seems fair enough. It has a lot to do with the fact that even if it is not a blank character, you are allowed to build it. I think that might be a bit more immersive, but there are Jrpgs that head in that direction like the Kings Field.TheKungFool
If it's like King's Field, it's not a JRPG.
I find that to be a most unfortunate and troubling statement, in that it pre-supposes that JRPGs are somehow locked to the linear model, which I don't believe to the be the case, at least THEORETICALLY.
see, what makes a game inherantly "Japanese" for me personally is the art style and focus on anime-esque type settings and aesthetic
but i see no specific reason why that couldn't be done with an open, more traditionally western style gameworld design.
I mean, if you took SKYRIM, and just changed the "skin" of the game to look more anime-like, would it be a WRPG or JRPG?
(basically, does the "J" in JRPG represent the visual and anime style, or must it include a linear based environment?)
I mean, maybe this is just a pipe-dream here, but.....
If a game came out that had an open world non-linear exploration and combat like SKYRIM, but had visuals more akin to a Final Fantasy or Tales game, I would honestly be in heaven
I've thought the same thing, but in the opposite sense. I'd love to see some JRPG style games, with a Western influence to the look. Sometimes Japanese stuff can get way too cutesy looking for my tastes. But a lot of Western fantasy stuff just looks bad-ass. Inject some Frank Frazetta and Boris Vallejo into a JRPG!
[QUOTE="TheKungFool"]
[QUOTE="Emerald_Warrior"]
If it's like King's Field, it's not a JRPG.
Emerald_Warrior
I find that to be a most unfortunate and troubling statement, in that it pre-supposes that JRPGs are somehow locked to the linear model, which I don't believe to the be the case, at least THEORETICALLY.
see, what makes a game inherantly "Japanese" for me personally is the art style and focus on anime-esque type settings and aesthetic
but i see no specific reason why that couldn't be done with an open, more traditionally western style gameworld design.
I mean, if you took SKYRIM, and just changed the "skin" of the game to look more anime-like, would it be a WRPG or JRPG?
(basically, does the "J" in JRPG represent the visual and anime style, or must it include a linear based environment?)
I mean, maybe this is just a pipe-dream here, but.....
If a game came out that had an open world non-linear exploration and combat like SKYRIM, but had visuals more akin to a Final Fantasy or Tales game, I would honestly be in heaven
I've thought the same thing, but in the opposite sense. I'd love to see some JRPG style games, with a Western influence to the look. Sometimes Japanese stuff can get way too cutesy looking for my tastes. But a lot of Western fantasy stuff just looks bad-ass. Inject some Frank Frazetta and Boris Vallejo into a JRPG!
oh, completely agree there man, it goes both ways with the possible merging.
thats exactly what I'm saying; that there seems to be two distinct issues in the JRPG vs WRPG debate; aesthetics and gameworld design.
unfortunately, both western and eastern developers seem to feel they both necessarily go hand in hand, so in cases of "JRPGS" they have the anime inspired aesthetic, but almost always have the more linear and static gameworld, or they make a "WRPG" with an open and explorable gameworld, but almost always an aesthetic based on a more western/realism vibe.
lets switch it up!
I want to play:
1) an anime looking game with an openly explorable and non-linear gameworld (think Elder Scrolls with a Tales Of skin)
2) a dark & realistic western looking game that has the JRPG-esque environments/design (think Final Fantasy VII with a Dragon Age skin)
3) a Strat-RPG with distinctly western look (think Disgaea with a Dark Souls skin)
In theory, WRPGs, but not in practice. Their structure would seem to pull into the game world more, but there's usually not enough visual creativity to achieve that end (there are exceptions, but they are few and far between). Xenoblade Chronicles drew me in far more than Oblivion did because its art design was vibrant and creative whereas Oblivion's art design was generic and repetitive. It seems like they used a copy-paste tool on just about everything. It also looks like they used the horrible in-game character creation tool to create all the NPCs.
So my verdict is that WRPGs have more potential to draw me into the game world, but they usually don't in spite of that potential. Too many of them settle with trite art design.
In theory, WRPGs, but not in practice. Their structure would seem to pull into the game world more, but there's usually not enough visual creativity to achieve that end (there are exceptions, but they are few and far between). Xenoblade Chronicles drew me in far more than Oblivion did because its art design was vibrant and creative whereas Oblivion's art design was generic and repetitive. It seems like they used a copy-paste tool on just about everything. It also looks like they used the horrible in-game character creation tool to create all the NPCs.
So my verdict is that WRPGs have more potential to draw me into the game world, but they usually don't in spite of that potential. Too many of them settle with trite art design.
GreySeal9
interesting post man, Cheers.
and I can totally understand where you're coming from, even if its the opposite of myself.
see, I find that the environments in JRPGs, while vibrant, and often repeated aswell, maybe not twice in the same game, but certainly, if you're an RPG gamer, you've seen ice caves, volcanos, mystical forrest etc and before. the key difference is, in a JRPG, nobody aggressively questions how you can have an ice cave right beside a desert, becuase realism isn't an expectation.
WRPGs on the other hand, tend to uphold realism as key concern and typcially (not always) try to make those environmental transitions more subtle, which yes, may come across as less diverse and interesting (subjectively)
for me, the aesthic simply draws me in less than the function of the gameworld.
so sure, its nice to play a JRPG that has perhaps more diverse and vibrant design.
but the ability to truly interact and explore an environment that is non-linear will always draw me in more.
[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]
In theory, WRPGs, but not in practice. Their structure would seem to pull into the game world more, but there's usually not enough visual creativity to achieve that end (there are exceptions, but they are few and far between). Xenoblade Chronicles drew me in far more than Oblivion did because its art design was vibrant and creative whereas Oblivion's art design was generic and repetitive. It seems like they used a copy-paste tool on just about everything. It also looks like they used the horrible in-game character creation tool to create all the NPCs.
So my verdict is that WRPGs have more potential to draw me into the game world, but they usually don't in spite of that potential. Too many of them settle with trite art design.
TheKungFool
interesting post man, Cheers.
and I can totally understand where you're coming from, even if its the opposite of myself.
see, I find that the environments in JRPGs, while vibrant, and often repeated aswell, maybe not twice in the same game, but certainly, if you're an RPG gamer, you've seen ice caves, volcanos, mystical forrest etc and before. the key difference is, in a JRPG, nobody aggressively questions how you can have an ice cave right beside a desert, becuase realism isn't an expectation.
WRPGs on the other hand, tend to uphold realism as key concern and typcially (not always) try to make those environmental transitions more subtle, which yes, may come across as less diverse and interesting (subjectively)
for me, the aesthic simply draws me in less than the function of the gameworld.
so sure, its nice to play a JRPG that has perhaps more diverse and vibrant design.
but the ability to truly interact and explore an environment that is non-linear will always draw me in more.
It totally understand that and like I said, theoretically, I think you are right. Non-linear design and interaction do have more potential for immersion. Personally, the world can't be truly immersive unless I think that the art design holds up its end of the deal. Still, I totally understand why the design of WRPGs draw you in more and I do agree that JRPGs can be trite artistically as well. But there are certain games like FF8 that are one-of-a-kind in a visual sense.
One WRPG that I think had some fantastic art design was Jade Empire. I know that it was more limited than other WRPGs in many ways, but that game is pure eyecandy.
One WRPG that I think had some fantastic art design was Jade Empire. I know that it was more limited than other JRPGs in many ways, but that game is pure eyecandy.
GreySeal9
so true, and a good example! I was actually trying to think of a good example earlier of a successful JRPG/WRPG blend, and I knew there was one in the back of my mind somewhere, and that was it.
that said, Jade Empire still did not have the "immersion" element I'm most enamored with when I speak of a JRPG/WRPG blend because while it was explorative, it was still too early to be as "open" as I prefer.
what I'm dreaming of (and I'm looking at Bethesda, *wink *nudge) is basically Elder Scrolls done in anime lol
I'm talking a Skyrim gameworld with a Final Fantasy/TalesOF aesthetic
I'm looking at Bethesda specifically as the benchmark for because character scripting and AI is a huge part of immersion in an open world for me.
See, other major WRPG developers, like BioWare for example, still tend to have characters ALWAYS standing about in the exact same spot.
Even though its still predictable, Bethesda at least has characters move about with agendas, go to sleep, peform random tasks, etc.
that goes a long way for immersion for me personally
[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]
Â
One WRPG that I think had some fantastic art design was Jade Empire. I know that it was more limited than other JRPGs in many ways, but that game is pure eyecandy.
TheKungFool
so true, and a good example! I was actually trying to think of a good example earlier of a successful JRPG/WRPG blend, and I knew there was one in the back of my mind somewhere, and that was it.
that said, Jade Empire still did not have the "immersion" element I'm most enamored with when I speak of a JRPG/WRPG blend because while it was explorative, it was still too early to be as "open" as I prefer.
what I'm dreaming of (and I'm looking at Bethesda, *wink *nudge) is basically Elder Scrolls done in anime lol
I'm talking a Skyrim gameworld with a Final Fantasy/TalesOF aesthetic
I'm looking at Bethesda specifically as the benchmark for because character scripting and AI is a huge part of immersion in an open world for me.
See, other major WRPG developers, like BioWare for example, still tend to have characters ALWAYS standing about in the exact same spot.
Even though its still predictable, Bethesda at least has characters move about with agendas, go to sleep, peform random tasks, etc.
that goes a long way for immersion for me personally
Bethesda, for all their faults, are definitely masters of detail.
On another note, while I'm not a huge fan of the Elder Scrolls games, I absolutely loved Fallout 3.
[QUOTE="TheKungFool"]
[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]
One WRPG that I think had some fantastic art design was Jade Empire. I know that it was more limited than other JRPGs in many ways, but that game is pure eyecandy.
GreySeal9
so true, and a good example! I was actually trying to think of a good example earlier of a successful JRPG/WRPG blend, and I knew there was one in the back of my mind somewhere, and that was it.
that said, Jade Empire still did not have the "immersion" element I'm most enamored with when I speak of a JRPG/WRPG blend because while it was explorative, it was still too early to be as "open" as I prefer.
what I'm dreaming of (and I'm looking at Bethesda, *wink *nudge) is basically Elder Scrolls done in anime lol
I'm talking a Skyrim gameworld with a Final Fantasy/TalesOF aesthetic
I'm looking at Bethesda specifically as the benchmark for because character scripting and AI is a huge part of immersion in an open world for me.
See, other major WRPG developers, like BioWare for example, still tend to have characters ALWAYS standing about in the exact same spot.
Even though its still predictable, Bethesda at least has characters move about with agendas, go to sleep, peform random tasks, etc.
that goes a long way for immersion for me personally
Bethesda, for all their faults, are definitely masters of detail.
On another note, while I'm not a huge fan of the Elder Scrolls games, I absolutely loved Fallout 3.
fair enough, loved Fallout3 very much myself aswell.
my "game of the generation" is constantly an inner debate between Skyrim and Fallout3
so, imagine an open-world sci-fi rpg, just like fallout3, but with a JRPG aesthetic.
would be pretty damned awesome lol
(SEGA, just borrow Bethesda's game engine and give us a Phantasy Star worth playing)
[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]
[QUOTE="TheKungFool"]
so true, and a good example! I was actually trying to think of a good example earlier of a successful JRPG/WRPG blend, and I knew there was one in the back of my mind somewhere, and that was it.
that said, Jade Empire still did not have the "immersion" element I'm most enamored with when I speak of a JRPG/WRPG blend because while it was explorative, it was still too early to be as "open" as I prefer.
what I'm dreaming of (and I'm looking at Bethesda, *wink *nudge) is basically Elder Scrolls done in anime lol
I'm talking a Skyrim gameworld with a Final Fantasy/TalesOF aesthetic
I'm looking at Bethesda specifically as the benchmark for because character scripting and AI is a huge part of immersion in an open world for me.
See, other major WRPG developers, like BioWare for example, still tend to have characters ALWAYS standing about in the exact same spot.
Even though its still predictable, Bethesda at least has characters move about with agendas, go to sleep, peform random tasks, etc.
that goes a long way for immersion for me personallyTheKungFool
Bethesda, for all their faults, are definitely masters of detail.
On another note, while I'm not a huge fan of the Elder Scrolls games, I absolutely loved Fallout 3.
fair enough, loved Fallout3 very much myself aswell.
my "game of the generation" is constantly an inner debate between Skyrim and Fallout3
so, imagine an open-world sci-fi rpg, just like fallout3, but with a JRPG aesthetic.
would be pretty damned awesome lol
(SEGA, just borrow Bethesda's game engine and give us a Phantasy Star worth playing)
Amen. A Phantasy Star with an actual large world to explore would be amazing. Enough of the repetitive areas of Phantasy Star Online games.
[QUOTE="TheKungFool"]
[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]
In theory, WRPGs, but not in practice. Their structure would seem to pull into the game world more, but there's usually not enough visual creativity to achieve that end (there are exceptions, but they are few and far between). Xenoblade Chronicles drew me in far more than Oblivion did because its art design was vibrant and creative whereas Oblivion's art design was generic and repetitive. It seems like they used a copy-paste tool on just about everything. It also looks like they used the horrible in-game character creation tool to create all the NPCs.
So my verdict is that WRPGs have more potential to draw me into the game world, but they usually don't in spite of that potential. Too many of them settle with trite art design.
GreySeal9
interesting post man, Cheers.
and I can totally understand where you're coming from, even if its the opposite of myself.
see, I find that the environments in JRPGs, while vibrant, and often repeated aswell, maybe not twice in the same game, but certainly, if you're an RPG gamer, you've seen ice caves, volcanos, mystical forrest etc and before. the key difference is, in a JRPG, nobody aggressively questions how you can have an ice cave right beside a desert, becuase realism isn't an expectation.
WRPGs on the other hand, tend to uphold realism as key concern and typcially (not always) try to make those environmental transitions more subtle, which yes, may come across as less diverse and interesting (subjectively)
for me, the aesthic simply draws me in less than the function of the gameworld.
so sure, its nice to play a JRPG that has perhaps more diverse and vibrant design.
but the ability to truly interact and explore an environment that is non-linear will always draw me in more.
It totally understand that and like I said, theoretically, I think you are right. Non-linear design and interaction do have more potential for immersion. Personally, the world can't be truly immersive unless I think that the art design holds up its end of the deal. Still, I totally understand why the design of WRPGs draw you in more and I do agree that JRPGs can be trite artistically as well. But there are certain games like FF8 that are one-of-a-kind in a visual sense.
One WRPG that I think had some fantastic art design was Jade Empire. I know that it was more limited than other WRPGs in many ways, but that game is pure eyecandy.
I think it depends on what attracts you more, aesthetics, like if people were drawn to a magical world by Disney, or Reallisim, as if somebody was drawn into the serious world of Scarface as movie examples.Please Log In to post.
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