Agreed

I see them as to entirely different genres that have little to no relation to each other.

JRPGs are not RPGs in that the character generally has little choice in determining how the characters interact. So, the player does not take the role of a character, the player is generally the team and battle coordinator with the goal of unlocking more of the story. Levels and skills do not an RPG make. This is not to say it is a lesser genre. It is just different. It has many fans around the world.

WRPGs, again generally, give the player more choices on how the character interacts with others which can change how the NPCs interact with them in return. This is closer to an RPG in that the player does steer some of the personality of the character, within the options provided.

This, of course, all varies from game to game.

I give this thread a 9.5.

Long time hardcore RPG players, who know the history of the genre, don't really judge these things the same way as the newer generation of gamers do. They look at how well the parts that are essential to the genre are executed (battle system, character attributes, stat influence, progression, etc.) and base their decisions off of that.

We play RPGs from Japan, US, Europe, Canada, whatever. And we're getting really pissed at where the genre is heading.

You say that even though you prefer JRPG?

Anyway, I just learned in this topic Lost Odyssey had random battles... I absolutely hate random battles. I can't believe there are still games with random battles in this day and age. I won't get it.

I don't mind random battles but they aren't needed anymore

you know very little about jrpgs most never made it to the U.S. the tales of series in not turn base and you also forgot zelda, grandias, and seiken densetsu that are not turn based and are japanesse

 Wrong.

The defining feature of a video RPG is it's battle system and all the number crunching that goes with it.  If you take out the battle system, you have an adventure game or life sim.  Take out character interaction, and with a tabletop derived battle system and plot you can still have a RPG

Video RPGs really do not allow for real role playing.  IN a pen and paper game, you can basically try or say anything that comes to mind.  For example, if you have a treasure chest in a video game, there are usually only a couple ways you can access the chest.  Either you need a key/lockpick/spell or you can break it open.  In a real RPG the player can try whatever he/she can imagine.  No key?  Try dropping the chest out of a window to crack it open.  Or haul it back to town to a locksmith.  Or take it to a high level mage with an open spell.

But the thing that video RPGs can replicate pretty much to the letter are the battle mechanics of tabletop RPGs (which sprang from tabletop strategic wargaming).  The rules, random calculations (the die roll), turns, decisions, etc.

Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Pokemon, Tales Series, Shin Megami Tensei series, Disgaea, Lost Odyssey >>>>>>>>>>>>> Mass Effect, Fable, Elder Scroll

JRPG >>>>>>>>>> WRPG

i dont see how only the bettle system play part in determining the roll in the game, i think the story does that, and by the way al the fist rpg are books like D&D and those are turn based so if you have to pick one a the roiginal gender, jrpgs are.

Freeform RPGs laugh at you as I'm sure Profcrab will be doing upon reading your post as well.