USRPG vs. JRPG

[Larahl]

Well, I saw that a lot of people have opinions about it, and instead getting all off-topic in another thread, I've decided to make an actual thread about it.

I like them both, both have their pros and cons, but I prefer JRPGs since they're on the console, and since my PC hardware sucks so badly, I can't play much of USRPGs, which are usualy on the PC, but the old games are the best of all, so as long as they work I'm happy.

Discuss.

EDIT:
I forgot to add a poll, so if someone can add one it'll be great.

[The Mog Ninja]

An RPG is an RPG.

[Discord]

An RPG is an RPG.

And good 90% of what you call USRPG are produced in EU anyway...
Now common, seriously, how on bloody earth can you call a game taking place in the classical medieval, or ancient, fantasy world (all of which oddly resemble the French Province) a USRPG?!

I like both styles really.

[The Mog Ninja]

I don't really see the difference

[Zante]

I don't really see the difference

[JKTrix]

They do seem to have very distinct styles, much like the differences between 'comics' and 'manga'. I haven't played too many 'Western' RPGs, but the ones I have were top-of-the-line. The stuff that comes out of Bioware and Bethesda are quite different than what would come out of Square-Enix.

Each style has things about it I enjoy, some more than the other. I'll take 'em both.

[Nominus Experse]

As of late, I seem to have appreciated the Western flavour of RPGs far more than that of Japan.

But as whole, I enjoy RPGs in general.

[Bunny]

USRPGs. Because I'm an American.

[CloudySky]

Let those lists talk:

Good PC RPGs

1. Arcanum – best RPG created for PC, it has great story, world, characters, interesting combat, abilities, pretty much everything about this game is great! It would be like FF on PC if would have more installments.
2. Fallout – game certainly is interesting one, story is great, characters/NPCs have personalities, perks system was innovative and I would have enjoyed that game if not that brown colour, got sick of it after playing this game couple of times. Since it’s my personal disliking of dark games, it has nothing to do with this game rating, it’s still a great game
3. Then only more or less good PC RPG series – Might and Magic, although after 8th those games got horrible, these get this place only for being series and having stories most of the part.
4. Planescape: Torment – another dark game with good story and interesting gameplay
5. Diablo – at the time this game was created it was good, I don’t like Diablo-2, it’s not a RPG me thinks.
6. Baldur's Gate – story of this game isn’t that great but characters are developed amazingly. Although they personalities tend to annoy me more than to help to play the game it’s still good game.
7. All other RPGs which are clones of each other, especially medieval ones.

Please notice, that almost all those game except Arcanum are “darkish”, that’s what bad about PC gaming in the first place.

Good JRPGs

1. Final Fantasy series - selfexplanatory
2. Suikoden series – 108 playable characters! + story ! RPGers paradise that is
3. Chrono games
4. Tales
5. Legends
6. Breath of fire series
7. Star ocean series
8. Lunar series
9. Vagrant story
10. Grandia series
11. Xenosaga
12. Dragon warrior series (not so good except 8), etc., etc.

Should I continue? All these series are original games with original roots, combat system, stories and characters.
How about 10 good PC RPG games can compare with 100 good JRPGs… You gotta be kidding me…

P.s. I didn’t add KH, Zelda series and Super Mario to that list because I don’t like those.

[Rase]

Please notice, that almost all those game except Arcanum are “darkish”, that’s what['s] bad refreshing about PC gaming in the first place.

Right now I'm leaning more toward Western RPG's thanks to Oblivion and Diablo II. What can I say, I dig freedom and exploration. The most recent Japanese RPG I've played (not counting remakes obviously) is Tales of Symphonia, which was a good game but not up there with Oblivion in my opinion.

I still love me some Chrono Trigger though.

[Jowy]

I prefer my JRPGS. I've never really been drawn in by of the USRPGs I've played.

[No.78]

Like, I didn't know USRPGs existed anyway so, they can't be very different. But, JRPGs are probably better. For obvious reasons :P

[LunarWeaver]

I can dig both, but overall I like JRPGs more. They have actual plots.

[Yuriev's ghost]

Like, I didn't know USRPGs existed anyway so, they can't be very different.

They're pretty different. They're actually RPGs for one, as opposed to JRGs which are just adventure games with a leveling system.

But then, this is why I prefer JRPGs to actual RPGs: Role playing does nothing for me.

[JKTrix]

But, JRPGs are probably better. For obvious reasons :P

The reasons being that you haven't played good Western RPGs :P

There are a lot of crap JRPGs, and there are a number of crap WRPGs. Just like there's a lot of crap anime and a lot of crap cartoons. We only see the Japanese crap that rises to the top in the West. A lot of people base their 'Japanese stuff is better' opinions on the stuff they see come out in English. Ignorance is bliss.