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Forums - Gaming - Are RPGs becoming niche on consoles?

Riachu on 18 February 2009
Johann said:
Esa-Petteri said:
Jrpg:s are niche. Superior wrpg:s are selling quite well.

You know, sometimes I see someone make a great post, that makes me rethink my JRPG preference. It's rare to see such people, but when they do appear, they are just so eloquent, and make such a fine job praising their beloved WRPGs, while still understanding my point of view, that I can't help but think: "you know.... I might just be missing something here!".

But then I see posts like the one above, and quickly snap out of it.

 

Let's face it.  Forums are used as an excuse by some to be rude and immature without being chastised verbally.  There are going to be people on forums like these that just make you can to pull your hair out.

 



 

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Wookaroo on 18 February 2009

I don't understand why so many people compare JRPGs to WRPGs. There's usually huge differences between the two. Turn based systems, linear storylines, visual representations, art styles, OSTs, ect. It just seems a little pointless to compare apples and oranges.

 

I'm a fan of western and Japanese RPGs. If both were similar, there'd be no charm left in JRPGs. Sometimes I feel like running through a colorful world full of crazy architecture, strange beasts, and uncomfortably long periods of laughter! There's an imaginative charm to Japanese games that is different, and I hope that never changes. It's sad listening to people hoping for the westernization of my beloved genre.

 

Someone commented that WRPGs have been great this gen. I beg to differ. They were much better last gen with the likes of Kotor, Jade Empire, Baldur's Gate, ect. Everyone praises Fallout 3. I respect their praise. My opinion is that Fallout 1,2 were leagues better though. Fallout 3 and especially Oblivion are more about technical achievements/freedom than story/characters/gameplay. Mass Effect and Fable 1,2 were beautiful and plenty of fun, but ultimately disappointments.

I've heard great things about the Witcher, Dragon Age, and a NW2 expansion. Let's hope the first two rock on consoles!

 

Anyway, I do believe the quality of some JRPGs have dropped a bit this gen. I sincerely hope that the future games we're all looking forward to circumvent this. Answering OP... Yes, I think JRPGs are a niche on this gen of consoles. People are more interested in shooters and action adventure games like GTA and Halo. Western RPGs seem to be gaining popularity thanks to their resemblance to other popular western genres.

EDIT: I forgot to plug Morrowind! Much better game than Oblivion. Ok...I'm done.

 



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Mummelmann on 18 February 2009
shio said:
Impulsivity said:
Rei said:
In short: yes. And do wRPGs healthy sales performance outweigh the lack of Final Fantasy/Dragon Quest/KH titles? I guess they do. But wRPG and jRPG are so different they are almost considered 2 different genres.

wRPGs are better than ever this gen (sales-wise), quality-wise they are in a constant decline though. jRPGs sell the same they always did, but there are not nearly as many of them on current-gen consoles as there were on PS2. This+lack of FF/DQ/KH titles+the fact that console jRPGs this gen are split between the 3 consoles (while last gen almost all of them were on PS2) makes it seem like the genre is dying.

I think jRPG genre needs a blockbuster title to gather some interest of masses. Once it happens things will start getting better. However, it is already clear that the home for the genre this gen is DS and not the consoles. I dont think this will change.

 

  Where's this quality decline?  Fallout 3 was one of the best games I've played and Dragon Age looks like its going to be awesome.  If anything the quality has improved over the last 5 years since KOTOR started the WRPG resurgance

Play Falout 1 and 2, and you'll see what he's talking about. Fallout 3's only advantage over it's predecessors was the technology, because in everything else, from writing to mechanics, it is several times below their standard.

Dragon Age does look like it's going to be awesome.

Just a note, I'm not saying Fallout 3 is a bad game. It's actually a solid 7/10 in my book, but it's nowhere near the artistic masterpiece 1&2 were.

This is around the point where you became awesome. Fallout 3 is the hallmark of what this gen has been about; overrated games that get praise simply for being... there or because they're made by a good and/or popular developer.

 



Slimebeast on 18 February 2009

RPG is a genre stronger than ever with Oblivion, Fallout 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Fable 2. All of them are instant classics, and at least the first three will be remembered and adored for decades to come.

Quality over quantity.



outlawauron on 18 February 2009
Destiny Blade said:
No, they're not a niche on consoles.

Tales of Ten is going to explode and outsell Final Fantasy 13 in Japan. Just wait and see. RPG's should begin to take off in 2010.

I'd love to make a bet that Final Fantasy 13 will double Tales of Ten lifetime sale in two weeks.



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nojustno on 18 February 2009

Yes, that's why I'm getting a DS  (JRPG's anyway)




Chacron on 18 February 2009

If you look at fable 2, fallout 3 and oblivion you could argue that rpg's are doing better than ever on consoles.

JRPG's - well we havent had Final Fantasy yet.



 

 

 

mrstickball on 18 February 2009

I think there are surrounding factors that are leading to RPG sales reductions, which all have to do with the consoles they are on, as well as the home market of JRPGs.

Japan has moved the vast majority of their RPG production to handhelds. Most of the major JRPGs are now on handhelds, which is hurting the consoles quite a bit.

Which is why you argue only console sales, as to avoid the massive growth on handhelds. Handhelds have 17 million sellers this generation vs. 6-7 last gen on the GBA, and have PLENTY more to go with DQIX coming out soon, among others.

Horrible comparison FTW! WRPGs are flourishing on consoles this gen, and JRPGs are still doing very well, but mainly on handhelds. You can't argue the success of Pokemon Platinum (best selling non-primary Pokemon in history) or Monster Hunter 2/2ndG.

What console JRPGs have come out that should have done 1m to be in your ranking? Lost Odyssey will get there. Outside of that one, there have been oh-so few that deserved it. Looking at last gen, the majority of JRPGs that were million sellers on consoles (that is to say the PS2 and GC) were the uber-hitters that haven't come out yet on consoles like the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series. Yet the DQs and FF's that have come out, have done spectacularly on handhelds.



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Deneidez on 18 February 2009
Mummelmann said:
shio said:

Play Falout 1 and 2, and you'll see what he's talking about. Fallout 3's only advantage over it's predecessors was the technology, because in everything else, from writing to mechanics, it is several times below their standard.

Dragon Age does look like it's going to be awesome.

Just a note, I'm not saying Fallout 3 is a bad game. It's actually a solid 7/10 in my book, but it's nowhere near the artistic masterpiece 1&2 were.

This is around the point where you became awesome. Fallout 3 is the hallmark of what this gen has been about; overrated games that get praise simply for being... there or because they're made by a good and/or popular developer.

Fallout 3 is good for a new game, but still way below the old standards. On the contrary witcher was a positive surprise. And JRPGs however are more or less niche what I have seen. Don't they westernize those already? I think some game had character generation and other got rid of anime chars etc. :P



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Kasz216 on 18 February 2009

Becoming?

RPGS have always been Niche.

Games with "Final Fantasy" and or "Dragon Quest" may fool you into thinking otherwise....

but outside that... uh...