JRPGs

[Mamoulian War]

I am asking the same questions whenever I see someone mentioning that they are replaying Neverwinter Nights OC, Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age 2

 

But for these games one simple answer, they are fun to play Most of the current gen western games are boring, handholding and piss easy, that I get bored in 2-3 hours after starting them, with very very very few exceptions...

 

And there are so many different challenges you can have with these games, which most of the Western Games lack... Especially superbosses, I rather spend 40 hours gathering materials for ultimate equipment to beat these bosses, than to replay NWN for example... Much much more rewarding and challenging...

[Drowsy Emperor]

Interesting, I find the optional content in JRPG's like superbosses boring. The concept of working (for dozens of hours) just to gain the ability to beat a boss who often has no bearing on the story at all is completely alien to me.

 

I almost always abandon a game once the main quest is up if the optional content doesn't expand on the story, world or characters - gameplay challenges just aren't interesting enough.

[Mamoulian War]

For me it is an additional challenge, because most of them are extremely difficult, and therefore I feel I have achieved something extreme, might be that i had for very long time boring jobs and I needed some challenges at least in games. Nowadays it is really hard for me to dedicate so much time into gaming, so mostly I am playing 5-7 games after I finished main stories, and I am switching with completely new games. Currently my playlist is Star Ocean 4, Fallout 3, Icewind Dale II, NWN2-SOZ, Last Story, Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2, Mortal Kombat 9 and after today's purchase Resonance of Fate.

 

I was able to kill Superboss in Star Ocean 4 almost two years after I started the game for the first time, and I have not yet killed his ultimate 6-wing form... As an example I was able to finish God of War III and able to achieve Platinum Trophy after 1 week of playing this game, which made me little bit disappointed. And I really, really, really suck at playing games in GoW series...

[AGX-17]

I am asking the same questions whenever I see someone mentioning that they are replaying Neverwinter Nights OC, Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age 2

 

But for these games one simple answer, they are fun to play Most of the current gen western games are boring, handholding and piss easy, that I get bored in 2-3 hours after starting them, with very very very few exceptions...

 

And there are so many different challenges you can have with these games, which most of the Western Games lack... Especially superbosses, I rather spend 40 hours gathering materials for ultimate equipment to beat these bosses, than to replay NWN for example... Much much more rewarding and challenging...

 

I haven't played a real JRPG since Persona 3 and 4, and there was a good 4 year gap between that time and the previous playing of JRPGs, for the grinding was never fun, which is what I was getting at. The only JRPG type games I love are Super Robot Wars games, and those have built-in replay value in the form of multiple protagonists with unique storylines, divergent paths in the game story that require replaying the game to see the content of the other paths, alternate endings which are only achievable after completing the game, etc.

 

And no grinding unless you're fighting this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGSt2FsJOdI

Edited November 22, 2012 by AGX-17

[greylord]

Well, recently started FFX-2. Gosh I had forgotten how they screwed up some of the dynamics of that game. I can still find the charm (I know many hated it though) but playing it currently, I can definately see where they made some mis-steps.

[Drowsy Emperor]

Well I didn't hate it, but I was pretty indifferent to it. It didn't seem to be a game made for the same crowd as FFX, which is strange, considering its a sequel.

[Labadal]

The only redeeming factor of FFX-2 was the excellent battle system.

[Mamoulian War]

Well, recently started FFX-2. Gosh I had forgotten how they screwed up some of the dynamics of that game. I can still find the charm (I know many hated it though) but playing it currently, I can definately see where they made some mis-steps.

 

FFX-2 is not bad, if you are able to get over the girliness of the game, the battle system is still imo the best from whole FF series, and that was why I spent long time playing this game and pretty much enjoying it.

 

And yes, you are right, lot of elements of the game made it inferior sequel, but still it was enjoyable experience.

 

Hopefully the HD version Bluray for PS3 will contain both International versions of the two games...

Edited November 23, 2012 by Mamoulian War

[AGX-17]

Well, recently started FFX-2. Gosh I had forgotten how they screwed up some of the dynamics of that game. I can still find the charm (I know many hated it though) but playing it currently, I can definately see where they made some mis-steps.

 

FFX-2 is not bad, if you are able to get over the girliness of the game, the battle system is still imo the best from whole FF series, and that was why I spent long time playing this game and pretty much enjoying it.

 

And yes, you are right, lot of elements of the game made it inferior sequel, but still it was enjoyable experience.

 

Hopefully the HD version Bluray for PS3 will contain both International versions of the two games...

 

Girliness? The entire point was to titillate teenage males. The game isn't "girly" in the way that Lisa Frank school supplies are "girly."

[Mamoulian War]

And that is your opinion

 

I really find it funny, that most of the FFX-2 haters actually never played the game

 

Or they stopped right away because they are feeling to insecure to play game with 3 girl protagonists

Edited November 24, 2012 by Mamoulian War

[AGX-17]

And that is your opinion

 

I really find it funny, that most of the FFX-2 haters actually never played the game

 

Or they stopped right away because they are feeling to insecure to play game with 3 girl protagonists

 

No, it's quite obviously the case. I wasn't "hating on" a game I've "never played," because I am attesting from firsthand experience having played the game that the target audience is both teenage and "otaku" males, given the fact that the game's playable cast consists solely of scantily clad females (and pointlessly tacks on the J-pop idol music genre, another unique Japanese realm of unhealthy nerdery.) whose gameplay mechanics revolve around switching between skimpy costumes.

 

It was released at a time when it was a given that the vast majority of video game players were males (that is no longer necessarily the case, but AAA publishers don't seem to see that,) regardless, it's a Japanese game aimed at Japanese males marketed for titillation purposes. They took a character whose only clothing was modest Miko-esque attire and gave her an open chested halter top and short-shorts/hot-pants as the default.

Edited November 24, 2012 by AGX-17

[Orogun01]

 

No, it's quite obviously the case. I wasn't "hating on" a game I've "never played," because I am attesting from firsthand experience having played the game that the target audience is both teenage and "otaku" males, given the fact that the game's playable cast consists solely of scantily clad females (and pointlessly tacks on the J-pop idol music genre, another unique Japanese realm of unhealthy nerdery.) whose gameplay mechanics revolve around switching between skimpy costumes.

 

It was released at a time when it was a given that the vast majority of video game players were males (that is no longer necessarily the case, but AAA publishers don't seem to see that,) regardless, it's a Japanese game aimed at Japanese males marketed for titillation purposes. They took a character whose only clothing was modest Miko-esque attire and gave her an open chested halter top and short-shorts/hot-pants as the default.

>Implying that FF target demographic isn't cosplayers that love to dress in slutty outfits

[Drowsy Emperor]

I don't know what sort of gratification one gets at changing skimpy outfits because ten year olds today have access to hardcore pornography.

[Orogun01]

I don't know what sort of gratification one gets at changing skimpy outfits because ten year olds today have access to hardcore pornography.

What they don't get its a chance to **** their favorite characters.

[Oner]

I don't know what sort of gratification one gets at changing skimpy outfits because ten year olds today have access to hardcore pornography.

What they don't get its a chance to **** their favorite characters.

VA = character, as far as they are concerned.

[Orogun01]

I don't know what sort of gratification one gets at changing skimpy outfits because ten year olds today have access to hardcore pornography.

What they don't get its a chance to **** their favorite characters.

VA = character, as far as they are concerned.

It is if you close your eyes.

[Pshaw]

I love a good JRPG but I must say that this last console generation has let me down a bit. My favorite by far was valkyria chronicles both for it's art direction and fun tactical combat. The story was just good but not amazing. Eternal Sonata was also great stylistically and the combat was a nice change of pace but personally I felt like the ending rushed out no where and I was left dissatisfied with it story wise. I admit I haven't gotten around to Xenoblade Chronicles yet but nothing else really seemed worth the money when it released so I've barely played any JRPGs this generation.

 

Really I'd love to see more tactical RPGs on consoles. I feel like I need to go out and get a Vita of 3DS to play the majority of good JRPGs, tactical or otherwise. I never really understood why Nintendo and Sony didn't allow you to play these games via download on their systems since they lose money on the hardware end of portables anyway so letting us download them on a console would at least help boost software sales for these titles.

[AGX-17]

Really I'd love to see more tactical RPGs on consoles.

 

If you're not averse to emulation, you can find a fully English translated Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden for PS, which is a tactical RPG. Easily the most prolific TRPG series in existence. If you want an idea of how the games play the game Zone of the Enders 2173 Testament for GBA (which had a NA release,) is basically a SRW clone with a goofy optional realtime aiming minigame added. If turned off it plays similar to SRW (hit, evade and critical chance based on derived stats and RNG 'dice rolls',) albeit with some major elements missing.

Edited November 26, 2012 by AGX-17

[Labadal]

If you guys TRPGs, the PSP has a crazy amount. I think half of my PSP collection consists of TRPGs. Add to that the possibility to play some awesome PS1 TRPGs, and you have a library to die for.

[keiichimorisato98]

On JRPG's.....Let me make an admission of guilt-As much as I now rag on JRPG's, I used to be an ardent fan of them. Up until FF VIII. I could not bring myself to finish that horrid excuse for a game. (I think I got to the part where you find out your all orphans of the evil witch Mom, or some nonesense). I am a bit of a compleionist, and for me not to follow through and finish a game I started is rare.

 

It jaded me so horribly bad, that I have not been able to get into another JRPG. The same thing happened with 1st person RPG's, the second Ultima Underworlds was so horrible, I refused to purchase/play another 1st person RPG. Skyrim changed that, it was the first 1st person RPG I had bought in ages, and despite it's myriad of shortcommings, I really enjoyed it.

 

Though most of my friends say I'm not missing much, I'm thinking there is some JRPG gem out there that is not totally some sick mess of "Saki puke on a story board, sexualization of 14 year old school girls, adrogynous ansgty teen, ridiculous outfits and hair, mini-game/quick time event" crap.

 

Is there something out there worth checking out? Or am I just to jaded?

dude ni no kuni, it has a great story, interesting combat, and filled with everything i love about JRPG's. The Yakuza games are interesting as well, it has a crime story kinda like GTA, has a fun real time combat system, and its very much a JRPG just set in modern day japan. Edited December 12, 2012 by keiichimorisato98

[Mamoulian War]

Tales of Graces f    on PS3 for 20 EUR... Worthy or not? never ever played any Tales of... game

 

 

And while bringing the thread back to the realm of living... what good stuff has been released in this department lately?

 

I have Ni No Kuni played to the death... and awaiting shipment of Atelier Ayesha in next few days *cheers*

[Keyrock]

I can't help you on Tales games, I haven't played any either, I have heard positive things, though.  For me, handhelds is where it's a for jRPGs these days.  Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 1 & 2 are my two favorite jRPGs of the last half decade or so.  Also, The World Ends With You, but that's not really a traditional jRPG, or a traditional anything for that matter.

Edited April 15, 2013 by Keyrock

[Labadal]

Tales of Graces f is great in every gameplay aspect. Battles, the handling of items; upgrade or morph items into better ones, or upgrade and then morph into new items. The title system is also addicting. You gain titles by doing diffrent things in combat or other non-combat related things. Seeing your character getting better stats as he/she 5 stars them made me go into combat more than I needed.

 

Fire Emblem on 3DS is soon coming out here. I have it pre-ordered, can't wait 'till I get to play. I'm going to buy Devil Survivor 1 & 2 once Ghostlight have a patch for the Euro version of DS1:O. I had both pre-ordered but cancelled when I read about the bugs.

Edited April 15, 2013 by Labadal

[Keyrock]

Fire Emblem: Awakening is fantastic.  You're in for a treat, Labadal.

[Amentep]

I really enjoyed Graces f.  Thought it was a lot of fun and really enjoyed the characters and story - which for me had been some time since I've enjoyed a fantasy jRPGs character and story.