There are JRPG fans who seem to long for JRPGs to be large sellers, or somehow get a "revival" of sorts.  Well, I will assume that this talk doesn't mean you have a JRPG that would remain on the VGChartz top 10 list for a long time, and be seen as a "killer app" that has the world talking. Well, maybe it has that, but what would a "next gen" or some other "revived JRPG" look like?  Is there some place where the formula would end up being changed so much that it wouldn't really be a JRPG as you know it?  I would say, for example, take Valk. Chronicles.  People argue that is a JRPG.  Well, is it?  Wouldn't that be seen as a better fit for what is known as a "Strategic RPG" or a "Tactical RPG" (like Jagged Alliance)?

Is it possible that RPGs to be RPGs will move beyond the "JRPG" or "Western RPG" mold, into just an RPG, or happen to merge with other genres, and be a FPS-RPG like Borderlands, or a puzzle-RPG like Puzzle Quest, so that there is both innovation and also improved sales numbers?

Ok, so what would a "revived JRPG" look like?  Is it the same thing from the past, just on Blu-Ray for more detailed cut scenes?

Like a cross between Dungeon Explorer (look it up) and Final Fantasy VI with modern graphics.

Yes, my post is off topic but it's keeping the thread alive so you can forgive me. 

I want a JRPG so damn bad, ever since Soriku made that thread about some obscure JRPG.  I was kinda in the mood for Tales of Vesperia but I changed gears and now I plan to pick up Star Ocean for the PS3.  It was pretty close competition between Star Ocean and White Knight and Folklore.  I'm hyped!!

And now I'll try to tie this back in to the original thread topic.  A revived JRPG would look awesome!  Yep, Lewis.  You never fail to impress me.

There was a point up until somewhere in the  PS2 era where RPGs were more concerned with a solid plot, a solid if repetitive combat system and making the 40 hours of leveling grinding pay off with useful special skills and items. Since then RPGs have focused more on graphics, character development and fluidity, it has been deemed more important to have "deep characters" shiny cut-scenes with full voice acting, and game times are frequently padded near the end with long boring dungeons.  

I think we've already seen a bit of a revival with later GBA and  DS. Lower production costs, lower graphical quality and very little voice acting have made developers focus more on story and combat systems.

The Last Story and Xenoblade.  Seriously, look them up...

It would be like FFIV and V, and maybe VII. Those are really the only JRPG's I like, but I admit I haven't played one since Vaan came around.

So, in short, "more of the same" but with better sales numbers, and more work on the story end?  Can someone be a revived JRPG and have innovation in play mechanics that make them new?

I wouldn't really say JRPGs need reviving, that suggests they are dead.  Pokemon Diamond/Pearl still sold 17m and Dragon Quest IX has become the best selling DQ game.

Maybe they just need a little bit of assistance at times.

I just need another Chrono Trigger port....

Have you watched those Xenoblade and Last Story videos yet?  Nintendo will revive JRPGs just like they've revived 2D platformers...