Your opinion != fact, bottom line is there are plenty of JRPGs on those 3 systems (especially the first 2) to compete for JRP GOTY. ToV might be your and a lot of other people's JRPG GOTY. but to say there's no competition in the JRPG genre this year is ridiculous unless you're only including the Wii, PS3 and 360.

While I'm keeping my expectations low for The Agency and DC Universe Online, it should be noted that SOE is now under SCEA and it's a new studio in Austin, hopefully this is the shake up they need to create a good game, Sony Bend had lost its touch with Syphon Filter, but they seemed to have regained it with the PSP's iterations being the best SF games since SF2.

Let's say I'm discussing only Jrpgs on next gen home consoles, really. While it is my opinion, I think that if you played the game, you'd agree with me, though I can't be sure. Most things I say are my opinion.

Now, if you expand to handhelds and the PS2, I'm sure that TWEWY, FFIV, and FES(can't remember if it came out this year) also challenge this games throne, but having completed all of those games thoroughly, I can say I didn't have nearly as much fun as I have had with ToV. IMO, it's just a much better game(actually FES came really close, but see my Orange Box vs Bioshock comparison above). Persona 4 and TLR aren't out yet.

Now, I still don't think there are any JRPGs in ToV's league released in the last year on any platform, however that is just my opinion. FES approached the line.

So yeah, imo it has no competition, and it is certainly my favorite jrpg that I've played in quite a while. However, just because it's my favorite doesnt' mean it's necessarily "goty" or anything. That's just my opinion and I respect your opinion as well. I'd have a tough time believing anyone who had actually played the game said it "sucked," though. That's the major difference between most major JRPGs this gen and ToV. With the others, there are always a loud outspoken userbase who acts as though they were dissapointed in the game. Even detractors of Vesperia and jrpgs in general who have actually played the game, admit that it's a good game "for a jrpg."

Edit: See the review below. It's just been released. That'll give you an idea of the game I'm saying is my favorite JRPG in the past year(at least), keeping in mind I've probably played every one released aside from the AI sequel on the PS2, and any PSP jrpgs. For me, this isn't just the latest PS3 verses 360 exclusive battle. I actually play all the jrpgs I can get my hands on, and I consider myself a huge fan of the genre. I know when they are bad(Eternal Sonata) and I know when they are good, and this ones great. You won't get a more knowledgable opinion. If you like jrpgs, you will like this game. Period. Coming up with a reason to marginalize it, using something as trivial as cell shading, is robbing yourself of an unforgettable experience.

Gametrailers review for ToV finally up. 8.8/10. The only flaw is the game is very similar to past Tales games.

Great review, check it out.

 Good review, and there are many things showing that they did, in fact finish the game.

Damn this review hyped me even more. I want it NOW not in 2009 !!!

Smedley's running the show, right? No hope.

Great the GT reveiw made me want the game. They had me at no random monster encounters. Just what I needed another game to buy this year. Love the cell shading, very pretty. Is the majority of the game voiced over? Is the combat real time?

Combat is real time. Dunno about a percentage on voice vs. text dialogue, but there's a lot of voiced over stuff. You'll definitely remember all the characters' voices, as you hear them a lot and they're quite well done.

No random monster encounters and real time combat win win for my tastes. I may have to bump Gears 2 to next year. I hate that this was completly off my radar screen I would have bought TOV instead of Mercs 2. Between this Fable and Fallout don't think I'll have the time or money for anything else.