S.T.A.G.E. said:
JRPG's are unorthodox because they don't give you true control over the character, which is the concept of what an RPG is. In RPG's you have control over more than just a persons inventory and weapons. You have control over their actions, looks, decisions and more. JRPG: These are forced, linear, story driven games with varying battle systems. Character (or role) development doesn't occur in JRPG's outside of changing weapons or magic. JRPG's play out like movies more so than actual RPG's. Cut-scenes are the major page turner from one aspect of the game to another in a JRPG, where as in RPG's they arent. Essentially a person could watch the movies of a JRPG and get the concept of what the whole game was all about. WRPG: Open ended game where you are in the drivers seat of your character. You control not just their inventory, but their clothing, their attributes, their skill, their class which is more about based on that character. The character develops because of you playing the role (unlike JRPG's). You have rewards and consequences. The character is created to your liking. WRPG's are based off of original RPG's such as Dungeons and Dragons which were open ended choiced based games. |
See, where your theory (a struggle to call it that) goes wrong, it that you're citing a broad stereotype (and only listing the cons of JRPGs and pros of WRPGs).
And I will say Role Playing doesn't mean that you necessarily have to be the center of everything. I'm more than happy to play Zidane Tribal. I don't need my created character shoe horned into the story.
You can get a basic understanding of story from the cutscenes or talking sections of any game, regardless of genre.
I can think of two upcoming fantastic JRPGs that don't fit your JRPG mold. (White Knight Chronicles and Demon's Souls)
