JRPG vs Western RPG on 360

What is the differences in the two types of RPG's... I asked the question in another thread but either everyone was ignoring me or most people just don't know the difference without looking at the developer/publisher or name. Can you tell the difference by just playing the game? Is it the gameplay or the way the character models are drawn. I'm only asking b/c I heard there was quite a few good RPG's on the 360 and i'm thinking about gettin a couple but I want to know which games would suit my preferences better. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

Stories, characters in general,gameplay, humor, i recommend this two(if you dont have them already) wrpg-mass effect jrpg-lost odyssey of the types of rpgs thoes are my fav. gow117

This.

JRPG is a story driven game. Where the developer writes a story and wraps the game around it. The character is driven through the story by the player. All players actions are to get to the next cut scene and allow the developer to tell more of the story. This usually involves turn based battling (though some JRPG's don't use this), as well as wacky characters and over the top events. The games are meant to be experienced the way the developer saw fit. Examples would be: Lost Odyssey, Tales of Vesperia, Blue Dragon WRPG is a player driven game. The developer creates the world and the main story but allows the player to interact with the world however he sees fit. You're given much more freedom to choose how to play the game and where to go. Combat is usually in real time and can range from a simple hack and slash to a more DnD type odds based real time combat. The storylines are usually much darker with less main character development (due to its open nature) and more the world around you development. The developer focuses on allowing the player to decide how he's going to effect the world and change it. Examples would be: Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Two Worldsmythrol

So far Lost Odyssey and Tales of Vesperia are the best rpgs in general on the xbox 360 and only one wrpg on the xbox 360 has really wowed me which was Mass Effect. So far I believe the jrpgs are better but that is just my opinion. Though Bioware has a chance of changing that with ME2 and Dragon Age coming out.

WRPG's are much more fun.

But if you want on of both

WRPG: Oblivion, Fallout 3

JRPG: Don't know have not played a good one these last few years.

In addition to what mythrol said, I think JRPGs all seem to have a traditional formula to them, linking them right back to very early games like the original Final Fantasy. I'm not saying that modern JRPGs aren't innovative, just that they stay true to their heritage.

On the other hand, most WRPG series are relatively young (like Mass Effect) and tend to focus on creating a totally new experience, in the hopes of establishing a franchise.

In addition to what mythrol said, I think JRPGs all seem to have a traditional formula to them, linking them right back to very early games like the original Final Fantasy. I'm not saying that modern JRPGs aren't innovative, just that they stay true to their heritage.

On the other hand, most WRPG series are relatively young (like Mass Effect) and tend to focus on creating a totally new experience, in the hopes of establishing a franchise.

Le9endary

JRPGs; Lost Odyssey, Last Remnant and Tales of Vesperia (for variation of gameplay and style) DO NOT PLAY: Blue Dragon (It's terrible, childish, not humorous and above all boring)

WRPGs; The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Mass Effect and Fable II (just because I think Oblivion is the best game on the system, Mass Effect for variation and Fable for well...Stephen Fry?) DO NOT PLAY: Two Worlds! EVER! The End.

[QUOTE="Le9endary"]

In addition to what mythrol said, I think JRPGs all seem to have a traditional formula to them, linking them right back to very early games like the original Final Fantasy. I'm not saying that modern JRPGs aren't innovative, just that they stay true to their heritage.

On the other hand, most WRPG series are relatively young (like Mass Effect) and tend to focus on creating a totally new experience, in the hopes of establishing a franchise.

zh666

WRPG isn't young at all either, take Oblivion for example, it is very much a Dungeons and Dragons type of RPG, the player chooses a character and takes control of that character, the actions that character takes, the weaponry used, etc. Mass Effect also draws on these aspects just it involves shooting so that FPS fans can kind of get a grip over what an RPG is while shooting and blowing things up like on their favorite games.

Blue Dragon isn't that bad. It would be a lot better if they had some decent voice actors (Shu and MaruMaro). It isn't great but it isn't bad either. It is just very average. If you want to kill a few hourrs there are worse ways to do it.

JRPG is a story driven game. Where the developer writes a story and wraps the game around it. The character is driven through the story by the player. All players actions are to get to the next cut scene and allow the developer to tell more of the story. This usually involves turn based battling (though some JRPG's don't use this), as well as wacky characters and over the top events. The games are meant to be experienced the way the developer saw fit. Examples would be: Lost Odyssey, Tales of Vesperia, Blue Dragon WRPG is a player driven game. The developer creates the world and the main story but allows the player to interact with the world however he sees fit. You're given much more freedom to choose how to play the game and where to go. Combat is usually in real time and can range from a simple hack and slash to a more DnD type odds based real time combat. The storylines are usually much darker with less main character development (due to its open nature) and more the world around you development. The developer focuses on allowing the player to decide how he's going to effect the world and change it. Examples would be: Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Two Worldsmythrol

More often than not, yes, you can tell just by playing the game. Here's some general common factors in both types

WRPG: You custom-build your main character, everything from appearance, class, and skill specialties. As you play the game, you usually have complete control over what skills you want to build up. You also make a lot of moral choices, both in conversations and in your actions, during the game to determine whether your character is a saint or anass and this often has an effect on the ending. Also, the art style tends to favor photo-realism.

JRPG: Usually a lot more story-focused. You have a main character who already has a past and a class and skills of his own. More often than not, he's just one of a group of characters you control throughout the game. The story is already set and you normally don't have any choice over what happens or how the game ends. Art style usually favors cartoony anime.

If you are just getting into the genre of RPG, please don't play Lost Odyssey first. It's a good game overall but there are too many issues/flaws/things to overlook to be enjoyable for a new comer. I recommend Eternal Sonata and Tales of Vesperia for JRPG or Mass Effect and Fallout 3 for WRPG.

If you want a JRPG with fun gameplay that isn't slow and turn based then i reccomend you check out Star Ocean: The Last Hope.

[QUOTE="Le9endary"]

In addition to what mythrol said, I think JRPGs all seem to have a traditional formula to them, linking them right back to very early games like the original Final Fantasy. I'm not saying that modern JRPGs aren't innovative, just that they stay true to their heritage.

On the other hand, most WRPG series are relatively young (like Mass Effect) and tend to focus on creating a totally new experience, in the hopes of establishing a franchise.

zh666

umm what???

I called Mass Effect a 'young' series because it was only released in 2007 and I therefore consider it still relatively new... I never said / implied that the developers were new! I've been playing Bioware games since Baldur's Gate thanks.

As to your other point, I guess it depends on how you define a J-RPG an a W-RPG. I personally would never have thought of Super Paper Mario or Dragon Quests Swords as J-RPGs... I always though the label 'J-RPG' was only used to describe more 'traditional' Japanese RPGs (Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Legend of Mana, Star Ocean etc), not merely any kind of RPG/RPG-hybrid made in Japan. There are plenty of RPGs made in Japan that aim to be more like traditional Western ones and vice versa.

I could well be mistaken on this though. Anyone?

[QUOTE="zh666"]

[QUOTE="Le9endary"]

In addition to what mythrol said, I think JRPGs all seem to have a traditional formula to them, linking them right back to very early games like the original Final Fantasy. I'm not saying that modern JRPGs aren't innovative, just that they stay true to their heritage.

On the other hand, most WRPG series are relatively young (like Mass Effect) and tend to focus on creating a totally new experience, in the hopes of establishing a franchise.

Adzey

WRPG isn't young at all either, take Oblivion for example, it is very much a Dungeons and Dragons type of RPG, the player chooses a character and takes control of that character, the actions that character takes, the weaponry used, etc. Mass Effect also draws on these aspects just it involves shooting so that FPS fans can kind of get a grip over what an RPG is while shooting and blowing things up like on their favorite games.

You're right of course that there are some very-well established W-RPGs too, like the Elder Scrolls, Fallout and anything D&D-related!

umm what???

I called Mass Effect a 'young' series because it was only released in 2007 and I therefore consider it still relatively new... I never said / implied that the developers were new! I've been playing Bioware games since Baldur's Gate thanks.

As to your other point, I guess it depends on how you define a J-RPG an a W-RPG. I personally would never have thought of Super Paper Mario or Dragon Quests Swords as J-RPGs... I always though the label 'J-RPG' was only used to describe more 'traditional' Japanese RPGs (Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Legend of Mana, Star Ocean etc), not merely any kind of RPG/RPG-hybrid made in Japan. There are plenty of RPGs made in Japan that aim to be more like traditional Western ones and vice versa.

I could well be mistaken on this though. Anyone?Le9endary

A Western RPG just means an RPG made in American or Europe. A Japanese RPG just means an RPG made in Japan. When you paint JRPGs into a box, and say they can only be exactly like "Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest", then you artifically make the "genre" (it's not one) very limited.

If Mass Effect is young, then what's Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Last Remnant and Infinite Undiscovery? It seems rather pitpicky and sided to point out Mass Effects "youth" then call out all the JRPGs on the 360 as "traditional", don't you think?

[QUOTE="Le9endary"]umm what???

I called Mass Effect a 'young' series because it was only released in 2007 and I therefore consider it still relatively new... I never said / implied that the developers were new! I've been playing Bioware games since Baldur's Gate thanks.

As to your other point, I guess it depends on how you define a J-RPG an a W-RPG. I personally would never have thought of Super Paper Mario or Dragon Quests Swords as J-RPGs... I always though the label 'J-RPG' was only used to describe more 'traditional' Japanese RPGs (Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Legend of Mana, Star Ocean etc), not merely any kind of RPG/RPG-hybrid made in Japan. There are plenty of RPGs made in Japan that aim to be more like traditional Western ones and vice versa.

I could well be mistaken on this though. Anyone?zh666

A Western RPG just means an RPG made in American or Europe. A Japanese RPG just means an RPG made in Japan. When you paint JRPGs into a box, and say they can only be exactly like "Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest", then you artifically make the "genre" (it's not one) very limited.

If Mass Effect is young, then what's Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Last Remnant and Infinite Undiscovery? It seems rather pitpicky and sided to point out Mass Effects "youth" then call out all the JRPGs on the 360 as "traditional", don't you think?

Hmmm... sorry, my bad I think. While I'd say Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey are both very traditional 'final fantasy-like' games, I guess you could put forward the argument that Mass Effect and other W-RPGs also inherit many of the features of their predeccesors (SW Knights of the Old Republic, Planescape Torment etc.) Bit of a generalisation by me then lol. :?

However, I was sure that the term 'J-RPG' only referred to those Japanese RPGs that are 'traditional' and like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest etc? I didn't say that these were the only type of RPGs made in Japan though. That's just how I've seen the term used in magazines.

For example, I've never heard of Super Paper Mario or Dragon Quest Swords being referred to as 'J-RPGs', even though they both have RPG elements and come from Japan...

???