I think a major problem is that your holding up FFXIII as the best JRPG, which in sales it is but at the sametime is also probably one of the worst in the series and probably not the best JRPG to be looking at this gen (although obviously the most expensive and most polished gameplay-wise). They probably could have put in towns and implemented them but they chose to focus on masses of diverse artwork and a heavily story-driven experience. Just because Final Fantasy decided not to have towns doesn't mean other JRPGs have to follow suit.

The directions they chose for FFXIII were immensely divisive and I think to many old school FF fans felt like a step back and a step in the wrong direction. WRPGs on the other hand have recently been growing in popularity.

@ Scoobes I didnt mean it like that cuz most of the jrpgs story are some BS about some teenager I meant like more story driven than feel like all Im doin are just a bunch of sidequest you know what I mean cuz for all I care wrpgs have the most potential but the quality is never there for the animation of characters the cutscene and even the graphics (exept mass effect but thats not a real rpg)

The first thing I'd like to say is that the people who don't like JRPGs are usually condescending as hell. Stop saying stupid fucking cliches like "whiny emo kids" and "spiky hair." People who say that are annoying as all hell.

Second off, neither are more advanced. They're both really damn simplified from even the earliest RPGs (like Dungeons & Dragons). I mean...what's so sophisticated about most WRPGs? Mass Effect 2 is really one of the only WRPGs that's doing anything significant for the genre.

@ OP I disagree with the assertion that WRPG's make you feel as if you are the character. Go gather 3-4 of your nerdiest friends, play Dungeons and Dragons (edition 3.5 or 3.75) and THEN tell me that you think WRPG's make you feel as if you are the character.

Once you have played a pen and paper rpg, the differences between JRPG and WRPG pale into insignificance.

That's why I'm gonna be buying more and more SRPGs nowadays - they offer a completely different experience

for all I know dungeons rpg are the best like demon souls and hexen 64 or real time rpgs like kingdom hearts and if the combat is as good as grandia than is great but I think of all the jrpgs and wrpgs out there theres so many not good at all games that people just play it to get the feeling they play a rpg I know cuz I been there this generation with all the crappy jrpgs thats been release compare to great ps2 rpgs or ps1 rpgs

Oh I don't think they are perfect, far from it, loads of them suck.

But I guess they suit my tastes as a gamer more than WRPG's. Besides I haven't played as many WRPG's as you, probably not even close.

And nothing apart from MGS4 is perfect

Have there been advancements in JRPGs?

I wish there were WRPGs that had the style of typical JRPGs.

Well they do have hair that defies the laws of gravity~~

atleast most males!

@Huya

lol sazh's afro comes to mind.

now I think about it Fang might be the only one out of the main cast who doesn't need to get up at 5 AM to perfect her hair!

But I love the hair styles!

Mass Effect 2 has done nothing significant for WRPGs. If removing RPG elements in favor of more action is advancement then I hope we stagnate in the past.