What Can Spark More Interest In JRPGS? The Last Story Designer Answers

"Twenty years ago, console RPGs were a burgeoning genre with maybe two or three releases a year. Fans eagerly scooped up whatever was localized even if it was Tecmo’s Secret of the Stars. RPGs exploded thanks to a huge marketing campaign for Final Fantasy VII and now RPG-like mechanics appear in every game, even sports titles. And we’re not talking about Hit the Ice.

Now, the RPG genre has fractionated into Western RPGs and Japanese RPGs. Since The Last Story breaks the traditional JRPG mold with a bold, perhaps Western inspired, combat system, I was curious what the developers think will spark more interest into JRPGs.", writes Siliconera.

[wynams]

* abandoned goofy/wack phase and turn based combat (real time only pls thx)
* not every game needs anime/FFX style hair/faces/eyes
* seamless, open-world never hurts
* make them more mature ... bubbly cutesy baby talk is not appealing to most western gamers

[Snookies12]

I agree with all but the turn based combat. I think that certainly has its place in some RPG's and I'm still a fan of it. However with that said, if they can do real time combat right, I'm all for it.

[LOGICWINS]

"* abandoned goofy/wack phase and turn based combat (real time only pls thx)
* not every game needs anime/FFX style hair/faces/eyes
* seamless, open-world never hurts
* make them more mature ... bubbly cutesy baby talk is not appealing to most western gamers"

So basically take away everything that makes JRPG's unique?

[Snookies12]

I didn't quite think about it as being for "all" JRPG games. If that's the case I don't agree, however for some of them it would be a nice change.

[thorstein]

Three words for you.

Ni No Kuni

[thorstein]

JRPGs are open world. Sure, you may have to level up or remove an obstacle or gain a ship, but, for the most part the entire DragonQuest series is open world. Check out DQ VIII for PS2 for a really awesome one.
I like the turned based system of Chrono Trigger. Your attacks had timer in between.

[Chrono]

It's not turn based, it's more like Dragon Age's pause system. This is a JRPG after all, if you don't like these characteristics, you should stick to WRPGs. I'm not saying I don't like WRPGs, but JRPGs have very specific characteristics.

[goldwyncq]

Sorry, but JRPGs tend to have better stories than their Western counterparts.

[wynams]

Right, if they are so fine as you all say, then why do they not sell in NA or EU?

For the record, the only JRPGs I have liked of late are Dark/Demon Souls ... but even then ... has to be something goofy (its from Japan) so lets do whacko multiplayer.

Both of those titles would have sold so much more if they had drop in coop.

Also, yes I played Valkyria ... hello ... the blonde protagonist ? She talks so goo goo gah gah baby talk ... as do most of the other units you can swap out.

It was a pretty good game, with typical jrpg art and typical baby talking voice actors.

I will give you Skyrim is overhyped ... so take a game like Witcher2 ... THAT is an RPG my friends. While it does not have a seamless world, or even entirely open ... it does have great combat, mature subject matter and voice actors who sound more game of thrones than after school special.

[Chrono]

Dark/Demon Souls, although made in Japan, is nothing like the traditional JRPGs. It is a Western-style RPG. JRPG is a genre, and clearly it is not for you.

[Hicken]

You know how you lose all credibility?

Valkyria Chronicles has a brunette lead.

And what the hell is "goo goo gah gah baby talk?" I keep hearing that crap from people who don't like JRPGs, but there's nothing they say that sounds like that.

You really should just... you know what? Instead of wasting my time rebutting your ignorance, I'll mark your comments as the trolling posts they are and move on.

In the meanwhile, you should steer clear of things you have difficulty grasping.

Like JRPGs.

[aiBreeze]

Simple..Remember the J stands for Japanese. What has ruined the genre for me is so many developers trying to make the game more and more appealing to western audiences by sacrificing the J in JRPG.

[thorstein]

It is akin to WFPS...jk... but yes. Inundation of cliched games ruin the genre. Look at all the FPSs. And in that group maybe Borderlands 2 and Dust 514 will truly push the genre. (I know COD is successful, whether I like the game or not doesn't matter.)

But, I agree that there needs to be more innovation. And I think Ni No Kuni is going there.

[Minato-Namikaze]

Bring them back to the sony camp, xbox exclusive jrpg's are mind boggling.

[Shinro]

What JRPG needs are bigger budgets.