"JRPGs are all the same!"

June 10, 2008, 12:57 AM

I'm friends with a few 'hardcore' gamers I guess you could say. They questioned me and ask why I continue to play JRPGs (Japanese RPGs). I love JRPGs, they were the first games I've played. I can't get enough of them.

Anyways, my friends tell me that all JRPGs are the same thing. Also they've stopped playing JRPGs for that reason. I somewhat disagree that all JRPGs are the same but they tend to follow the same formula:

- The main character is usually young, most of the time male.

- The main character usually wields a sword or a sword-type weapon.

- Main character who usually falls in love with the main girl.

- The main character or an important party member(s) has a connection with the main villain.

- There is always something or someone to save.

- In most JRPGs there is usually a part where you sneak into a building or break out of jail.

- Towards the end of the game the main character accepted by almost everyone.

I do believe that some JRPGs are similar to other JRPGs but JRPGs each have a different plot, sets of characters, battle system, weapons, setting etc. What do you guys think? Do you agree or disagree that all JRPGs are the same?

June 10, 2008, 1:12 AM

Nah, not the same. Of course there are similarities, it's the same genre. Shooters have big similarities, so do sports, action and platformer.

June 10, 2008, 1:18 AM

I'd have to agree with above post, there are many similarities, but most games these days are a photocopy of something before. Is why it is so rare to see something fresh and original.

But what I personally like from the JRPG's are the plot. There are quite a few good ones. I am a fan of love/tragedies though and they seem to do that every so greatly.

June 10, 2008, 1:28 AM

It really is the plot that counts in a JRPG. Every JRPG I've played has a sword-wielding hero, but the plot is what reels you in, and that's why I play them. Besides, I have never noticed those things.

June 10, 2008, 3:09 AM

Haha It's true, most the JRPGs have those things in common (the romance thing, it's without doubt the most common of all) but you can always count with the exceptions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerridwen

- The main character is usually young, most of the time male.

As example about the age, we could use FFIV; Cecil is more like an adult than a young kid or teenager; even FFIV shows a Terra as main character and she's not that young

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerridwen

- The main character usually wields a sword or a sword-type weapon.

In Xenosaga; almost no-one uses a sword; except for Shion's brother but he's not the main one :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerridwen

- Main character who usually falls in love with the main girl.

That's why i love FFXII so much!! x3!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerridwen

- The main character or an important party member(s) has a connection with the main villain.

Chrono Trigger could be an example of an exception at this one

The other points applies for almost all other games (shoots, adventure, etc) not only for RPGs. I'm not arguing your point, to be honest it's pretty funny the fact that almost all your points are true xD!

Just pointing that fortunately there's always exceptions

June 10, 2008, 4:43 AM

They aren't carbon copies of each other, but there are certainly similarities. I don't believe that's a good reason to avoid playing them.

I say go with what works.

June 10, 2008, 4:51 AM

I only really play JRPGS, so I can see some similarities, but like other have said, it's more emphasized by different plots and characters.

You can argue that a lot of animes start off the same too; the main character is a normal person, often a student, and suddenly awakens to some uber cool awesome power and from then on is either attacked so others can have that power or has to use that power as something that was predestined and etc.

I didn't really notice the above points mentioned in the first post to be honest >__<

But no, I don't believe that all JRPGS are the same; there ARE differences even if some themes seem to reoccur in other games.

I mean, just because one person thought of a certain idea, doesn't mean someone else didn't, right?

June 10, 2008, 6:13 AM

Quote:

The main character or an important party member(s) has a connection with the main villain.

That's just a ridiculous thing to say. I mean, it's a COMMON story device to connect your protagonist & antagonist! It creates tension.

I mean, what vague complaint next? "It's all the same! The characters do things together, get to know one another and grow from their experiences!"? C'mon...

Quote:

Main character who usually falls in love with the main girl.

SAME.

Quote:

There is always something or someone to save.

SAME.

I think the main thing you need to tell this supposed hardcore gamer to do is get their heads out of FF/Square's ass, perhaps. There are other JRPGs out there that don't follow the mold...you just have to stray a bit from the mainstream most of the time...*shrugs* I don't think the SMT/Persona series really follows those clichés (and Chrono Trigger proved that clichés can be used, used well and still kick tremendous ass!).

June 18, 2008, 12:53 PM

I don't think they all the same, seeing there are differences the storylines, characters, weapons and the characters personality and The villains. however there are some similarities such as saving a person or the main character falling in love with the main girl.
And I believe Shooting and Sport game
are way the same.

June 18, 2008, 12:57 PM

No,if you've played Shadow Hearts 2 then you'll possibly know that it's got a bad ending.The main character dies or loses his memories.His big love died in the previous game and the now main girl who falls for him turns out to be his mother.If your friends still think that JRPGs are all the same I guess it can't be done anything because they don't want to accept it.