Kitase talks about Action RPGs, is this FFXV's future?

[Flying Arrow]

I didn't think Dragon Age was considered to be an Action-RPG, but a WRPG. I was thinking something like Kingdom Hearts is classified as an Action-RPG. As far as the subject goes, if they're referring to WRPGS then I don't think it's a good idea. I play Final Fantasy because it's a JRPG series and not a WRPG series. I probably won't try the game out if I find both XIII and Versus XIII to be bad.

I'm curious as to your definition of a WRPG. The term refers to "Western RPG" but that really only seems to cover region rather than mechanics. Lots of games are considered WRPGs, but the term is only used to differentiate them from RPGs made in Japan. Elder Scrolls and Dragon Age are both WRPGs but are in no way shape or form of the same genre of game. I don't consider WRPG to be a genre, although I do consider JRPG a genre - not because of region, but because they all share very similar mechanics. There's no mistaking a JRPG for any other genre.

If you mean WRPG in the sense that it's tactical PC RPG a la the mid-90s-2000s, then yeah. I wouldn't call it an action RPG - although it's not completely turn-based either, IIRC.

Anyway, I don't mean to challenge you or anything. I was just curious.

As for the article, does it mention Dragon Age? If he considers Dragon Age the new wave of RPGs (it's really only a two game series and doesn't really have any imitators)... then I question if he even knows what he's talking about. FFXII was a lot like Dragon Age in a lot of ways, so if he's looking for inspiration on where to take the series then he needs to realize the FF series has kind of already been there.

Thing is, I don't really see a lot of overlap between a Dragon Age player and a Final Fantasy player, no matter how much Final Fantasy imitates Dragon Age. The general vibe I get these days is that FF (and JRPGs in general) has just stigmatized itself, especially in the eyes of those who have grown up/are growing up with Western RPGs.

The best comment from the Edge article:

Just give us a decent turn based JRPG with a full world to explore and a decent and involving storyline. It really is that simple.

Yes yes and yes. SE need to stop making excuses about why they can't do this or that and just make a damn fully fleshed out JRPG that people can sink their teeth into.