In some ways I think voice acting and better visuals have done some harm.
When we were all playing with 2D sprites, we never had the "guys look like girls, therefore I'm not playing it" stupidity. I'm sorry, I just get tired of hearing that without any kind of research into the culture in why that's true. Also, we never had to worry about bad voice acting.
Overall, I think the genre is going through what 2D platformers went through in the late 90s early 00s. 2D platformers have made a comeback this generation. For a while, I think we will be seeing most jRPGs on handhelds / Japan only, which is sad. I suppose it's what I need to learn the Japanese language better.
I'm not sure Western games have really evolved so much as they have become more accessible. Previously, Western games were more for PCs - which had limited appeal.
For the next decade or so, I see primarily shooters and casual games ruling the roost. It doesn't help that Japan is in one of the worst economic times ever since WW2.
"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY COUNTRY." --Hermann Goering, leading Nazi party member, at the Nuremberg War Crime Trials
Conservatives: Pushing for a small enough government to be a guest in your living room, or even better - your uterus.
