While I dug Eternal Sonata and Kingdom Hearts, I only thought Eternal Sonata brought something new to the table. It reminded me of an updated Parasite Eve (WTF Square, where is this game) and I thought it was cool, though absurdly linear. It wasn't even the story... There was literally only one way through that game.
I put Kingdom Hearts in more of the Zelda realm with a bit of RPG twist... If we start including games like that in this discussion, I may as well throw Ratchet & Clank in there, too. Explore/upgrade/wander/fight/repeat ad nauseum. Not bad games by any means, but other than a story and weapon/level upgrades, not a lot of "RPG" going on there, even by the Japanese definition of the genre.
Again, now that I think about it, I think most of my resentment comes from companies like Square and Mistwalker, not the genre in general. None of the big budget JRPGs are really exploring new possibilities while mid-ranged ones like Folklore (though "meh" IMO) and Eternal Sonata are mixing things around a little more and some of the off-the-wall stuff is considerably different than FF/DQ/BD/LO.
I have big hopes for some of Square's new IP but I won't hold my breath in anticipation.
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