@khuutra
There is a difference between something being right/wrong, and something being popular/unpopular. There is nothing wrong with eating roadkill, but I think the vast majority will concede that it isn't a popular dining choice. You are correct in saying that there is nothing wrong with a thoroughly linear experience directed at young children. However I am also correct in saying this isn't what the vast majority of gamers want. Western gamers fundamentally want more freedom, and they want more choice. This isn't even a phenomena specifc to the genre. Western gamers are demanding this in almost all the genres. Accept maybe the casual market, but that isn't exactly the market thats going to play out a sixty hour story.
What is happening is that JRPGs are being placed head to head against Western roleplaying games, and losing badly in the sales race. I love JRPG games I have bought Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, Infinite Undiscovery, and Star Ocean thus far this generation. That said when it comes down to head to head between two solid titles I have to defer to the wrpg over the jrpg. One is generally more fun then the other so if I can only buy one. I am going to buy the wrpg. Hell I probably won't be able to buy another JRPG until next year at the earliest. I am a fan of multiple genres, and I already have too many games on my must buy list.
The defense that it is good isn't a defense against it isn't popular, or it isn't as popular as something else. That is what the fault of the genre would be for the sake of argument. You don't have to be bad. You just have to be less popular with consumers. That said if JRPGs started to incorporate more WRPG features it would only increase their sales. All I am pointing out is these titles need to get less restrained, and be more open. Hell it would really help to diversify the genre. Could even bring about some real break out hits.
