JRPGs have never involved much in the way of RP.

I am pretty bothered by the absence of towns though. Most of my favorite locations from FF games have been towns after all, something that's probably true of many other people.

I was more confident about FFXIII until I saw this stuff.

But yeah if you want to play an actual RPG which does involve the RP aspect (i.e. choices & consequences) rather than telling a linear story using RPG-mechanic combat, you need to play western games quite simply.