Yes, they do. Without a plot, RPGs are a meaningless string of grinding battles. A story is what keeps an RPG together and makes you wanna play it, in most cases (with the glaring exception of Pokemon).

Given equally good gameplay, sound, graphics, etc, an RPG with better plot is better than one with a weak one, that's undeniable

Yes, they do. Without a plot, RPGs are a meaningless string of grinding battles. A story is what keeps an RPG together and makes you wanna play it, in most cases (with the glaring exception of Pokemon).

I disagree. RPGs can be fun even without the story, but only if the mechanics are in place. Pokemon is one example (you don't play for the story or characters, you play for the next battle!). Final Fantasy V was another one (it didn't try to hide the fact that it was phoning in the plot+characters). Grandia's the same deal. Roguelikes, such as Shiren the Wanderer, are the best example of this.

If you're playing RPGs just for the plot, then you're playing the wrong RPGs dude.

On topic: there are several JRPGs that don't have such a plot. Look around and you'll find plenty of 'em.

Edit: S***, I'm agreeing with Riot. Maybe I should take back what I said...>_>

Here's an idea.

What about a JRPG in which a psychologically disturbed middle-aged woman who goes in a coma.  While in this coma, she has to fight hallucinations and 'bosses' that are personified hallucinations of her inner most fears.  She starts as a child in the beginning of the game and as the games progresses, she becomes older and her warped imagination and personality flaws become more apparent not thru her actions in the halliculations but her recollections of her childhood, adolscence and young adulthood.

Sad thing is.. I made this up on the fly and it's more creative than most JRPG's.

Actually, you just ripped off the plot of American McGee's Alice...

Yeah, but what's widely considered one of the more boring, less memorable Final Fantasies? And guess what the common denominator among the less popular ones is?

Here's an idea.

What about a JRPG in which a psychologically disturbed middle-aged woman who goes in a coma.  While in this coma, she has to fight hallucinations and 'bosses' that are personified hallucinations of her inner most fears.  She starts as a child in the beginning of the game and as the games progresses, she becomes older and her warped imagination and personality flaws become more apparent not thru her actions in the halliculations but her recollections of her childhood, adolscence and young adulthood.

Sad thing is.. I made this up on the fly and it's more creative than most JRPG's.