JRPGs vs WRPGs – What’s the difference & which is better?

Finally, a side-by-side comparison about the main differences of JRPGs and WRPGs.

[FallenAngel1984]

Neither genre is inherently better

[nitus10]

Why differentiate? If you like a particular RPG no matter if it from a US, European or Asian company then what is the problem?

From the article:

"JRPGs typically throw you into a game with premade characters. Sometimes you can choose between two or three and experience different perspectives of the same story."

and

"In contrast, most JRPGs are quite linear."

Maybe I should not be playing Souls or Bloodborne games because they don't conform to the so called typical JRPG yet they are made by Japanese developers.

"Western RPGs are generally focused on player choice and the ability to craft your own story. Games like The Elder Scrolls and The Witcher are heavily based on non-linearity. "

I think CD Projekt Red would be pretty annoyed to have their game "The Witcher 3" associated with a Western Game.

IMHO it is totally pointless to differentiate the so called Western and Japanese RPG genres. If you the player like one over the other then that is your preference.

[NigelAlabasterFord]

Your comment definitely took the wrong point from the article.

In your example, you (jokingly I hope) say that you won't play the Souls series because they don't have the JRPG label. If you're going to decide whether or not to play a game that you already like, based on whether or not it fits the JRPG or WRPG label, then, well, whatever floats your boat. Doesn't make any sense though. That'd be like reading a really good book and halfway through realizing you don't like the author's name and putting it down.

The 'point' of this article is just to address the -typical- (and yes, I definitely made note that not every JRPG or WRPG will fit the entire bill, and in fact, few do) things that you can expect from either genre. It's not to decide which is better and which is worse. It's to help people decide which genre they're better suited to, so they can choose a game that'll be good for them.

[PhoenixUp]

"The term JRPG wasn’t really a mainstream word until a few years ago."

1997 was a few years ago?

Plus JRPGs have been more prominent in the industry than WRPGs.

[Daeloki]

Yes. 1997 was like 3 years ago, and that will never change. Just like the 80's was like 20 years ago. Go away with your reality, nobody likes it o_o

[Blueraven316]

Wrpgs have made jrpgs look old. Outside of Japan there's no contest

[Lovable]

I don't know man. I can't get past on those Wrpg's robotic faces. They are fricking creepy.

[SegaGamer]

I think the opposite. Wrpg's look grey, miserable and the characters have weird facial animations.

[NigelAlabasterFord]

JRPGs definitely have a sense of style that's yet to be matched by a WRPG, but I wouldn't say WRPGs are bland and stale (except maybe Fallout 3.) Gritty, maybe, but they're shooting for a different goal.

[bumbleforce]

Witcher 3 mass effect dragon age killers of eternity Diablo. Enough said

[AsunaYuukiTheFlash]

Jrpg is way better. Next topic pls.

[NigelAlabasterFord]

Good argument :D

[ninsigma]

Neither is better. They both have reasons why people love them and both have down sides. Personally I'll play either as long as they look interesting.

[Eiyuuou]

JRPG's tend to have a more complex combat system, and a deeper story (thematically) but also tend to suffer from certain anime tropes at times.

WRPG's on the other hand often have superior storytelling and dialogues but their combat is can be shallow and their story is often just blockbuster-ish.

It all depends on what you prefer. I like both, with a preference for JRPG.

[nitus10]

I don't know if I should agree or disagree with you.

I started Dragon Age (both Origins and Inquisition) and for some reason, I found that I actually lost interest in both games even though they did have good story telling and graphics.

I have played the Souls games (prior to that King's Field) and Bloodborne and while those games are tough I was more fascinated with those games and I found that I did not want them to finish.

BTW. The Witcher 3 (mentioned in the article) is not a WRPG since CD Projekt Red is Polish which is associated with Eastern Gaming and that game has some of the best storytelling and consequences I have ever seen in just about any game.

[NigelAlabasterFord]

Eh? If you're using WRPG/JRPG as geographical terms, then you could call the witcher a JRPG. In terms of genre, though, it's definitely a lot more of a WRPG.

Sucks that you never made it through Origins! I'd recommend giving it another shot. It's definitely one of the most well fleshed-out, intricately designed, and (subtly) hilarious RPGs - games, period, actually - that I've ever played. Tactical combat took a bit to get used to but I now vastly prefer it

[Relientk77]

For me personally I love and prefer JRPGs and am a huge JRPG fan. Loved Persona 5 and Tales of Berseria this year, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy or play WRPGs. The Witcher 3 is an effin masterpiece of a game

[SuperRadicalBros]

I don't call them Jrpg or Wrpg
but how they were meant to be called
Wester = Heavy Rpg
Japanese = Light Rpg

take for example Ultima and Dragon Quest/Warrior
Ultima was more heavy compared to DQ/W

even the father of DQ said way back that Western are Heavy rpg and East are Light rpg