http://www.gamedaily.com/games/world-of-warcraft/pc/game-features/versus-western-rpgs-vs-japanese-rpgs/
"BioWare and Blizzard fight Square Enix in a battle for RPG supremacy"
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Laying the foundation - Winner: Japanese RPGs
"Although a few U.S. developers managed to pump out first-rate efforts (including the Wizardry series and the SNES RPG Secret of Evermore), Japanese teams clearly led the way, and it continued into the following generation with several Square Enix exclusives (Chrono Cross, Xenogears) and exclusive Sega efforts (Panzer Dragoon Saga, Magic Knight Rayearth). Today, it's still pumping out games left and right, and there's no question who left the initial footprint."
Mastering the MMORPG - Winner: Western RPGs
"there's no getting over the granddaddy in this category, the all-powerful World of Warcraft. Millions have logged on to play this game, and it grows even more popular, with more users, features (pizza ordering, anyone?) and celebrities like Mr. T and William Shatner hyping it up. Blizzard created quite a monster with WoW, and it dwarfs even the best overseas MMORPGs we've come across. That gives Western developers a victory."
The tactical advantage - Winner: Japanese RPGs
"As of late, Japanese developers have this genre down pat. Many great tactical games came out on the PlayStation 2, including the Disgaea games and La Pucelle: Tactics, and the trend continued on the newer systems, with such releases as Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment and Sega's much-beloved Valkyria Chronicles. Although the Western-developed strategy games are worth their weight in gold, we're giving the award to our friends overseas."
Spring into action - Winner: Western RPGs
"The past few months have been particularly good for us as well. This past November, BioWare returned to its Baldur's Gate-style roots with the awesome Dragon Age: Origins, before heading back into space with the stellar Mass Effect 2. And the next few months will get even more interesting with new add-ons for both of these games, as well as the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic. Japan is sure to be hot on our heels with a few action RPGs of its own, including the much-rumored new Zelda game for the Wii. At the moment, though, we're got this category locked down.
Let's get emotional - Winner: Western RPGs
Most of these games inspire different emotions. Take, for instance, the death of Aerith in Final Fantasy VII. While some may have seen her demise as a little more drawn-out, there's no question as to the emotional heft it left on the remainder of Final Fantasy VII's enthralling adventure. The same could easily be said for the sacrifice of Ashley Williams in the original Mass Effect. Just when you thought she would stick it out with you in the long haul, she winds up on a doomed planet.
Most of what defines a character can be told through the narrative, depending on the developer's perspective. And, like we said, both Western and Japanese teams know how to do this. However, if we had to pick only one (and this was a really tough choice), we have to lean towards Western development. The main reason for this? BioWare.
And the award goes to... - Winner: Western RPGs
"This wasn't an easy article to write. So many histories to speak about, so many great role-playing games, so many different design styles and approaches. In the end, both Japanese and Western developers excel at what they do, and both will produce stellar adventures over the next few years. That said, after the dust settled, westerners have a slight advantage, thanks to the increasing talents of BioWare and other up-and-coming studios."
