Which Sony JRPG do you want back?

[forevercloud3000]

Kresnik said:

forevercloud3000 said:

Also, something that is wearing really thin in JRPGs is traditional Anime style. I think subconsciously something many do not like is the anthropomorphic bodies of anime characters. Do anatomically correct body structure or go home. No more big heads, long bodies,big eyes, super slim features. Western territories for the most part are very resistant to the cutesy look. FF has matured over the years where they technically create anime characters but they exist more freely in today's market because they also can be said to look realistic. Sure, their hairstyles are usually outrageous but thats cool, as long as their body isn't weird.

More Characters that look like this.... and not one's that look like this....

Tales seems to be growing again in popularity in the West, and that's massively influenced by anime.  

(Pretty great example of anatomically ridiculous body structure).

Similarly, in Bravely Default they went for... super deformed, chibi-esque artstyle:

And that was a smash hit success.  Fire Emblem too.

I think to appeal to the masses in the west, you probably do have to go for a more realistic style like Square Enix do, yes.  And Japan Studio have the resources to make such a title too.  But I don't think anime-style is "wearing thin".  You probably do limit your audience by making a game in that artstyle but having a limit audience doesn't mean you can't make your game a success as long as your expectations are in check.

The gamble they'd have to take on a super-realistic, hyper-graphically-expensive title to rival Final Fantasy (while also having little to no brand recognition behind the title) would be a big risk compared to going for something anime-esque which would a) be cheaper b) probably appeal in Japan more and c) still appeal in the west.

That's just how I see it at least, anyway.

Milla is a huge step up realistically from previous entries....

 

Bravely Default's world design is actually a gradual evolvation of this....

and it does it all very well. Its seriously the more realistic looking of the characters seems to garner more popularity over all. I love some chibi style like in BD, I hate sprite games tho. I just see BD's artstyle as a more realistic sprite concept.

The more they transition to more realistic styles(while still maintaining the charm of previous entries) the more they seem to sell. Is this the only factor contributing to their increase of success? no but I do think it counts as a deciding factor for many.