Historical hallmarks of the JRPG genre

[BoneSnapDeez]

Chrono Trigger is probably the most important one to emerge in the 16-bit era.

Perhaps, but I think Final Fantasy IV is also worth noting due to how it expanded on dramatic story presentation in JRPGs. Pretty much every JRPG to come out since then has benefited from FF4's groundwork. Since it also introduced the Active Time Battle concept, I think it's worth considering.

The Dragon & The Princess may have influenced the design of Ultima III, since it introduced that combat system a year before Richard Garriott got to it, though that is purely speculative.

While Bokosuka Wars laid the foundation, I've read that Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi is considered the real start of the tactical/strategy RPG in Japan, though I couldn't say one way or the other for sure.

Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei is where the concept of catching monsters originates.

Do we want to talk about multiplayer entries, such as Dungeon Explorer, Secret of Mana, Phantasy Star Online, and so on?

Good points in this post.

And yeah, when/if I make a list I'd include both Bokosuka Wars and Fire Emblem.

Fun fact: with an original computer release date of 1983 and Famicom port in 1985 I believe Bokosuka Wars is the oldest (by any measure) type of JRPG available on a console.

[pierrot]

There were four RPGs released around the spring of 1990 that are referred to by Japanese game magazines as 'the big four.' They are: Dragon Quest IV, Wizardry III, Final Fantasy III, Megami Tensei II.

There are three computer games referred to as the 'big three computer RPGs': Dragon Slayer, Hydlide, Mugen no Shinzou. Dragon Slayer laid a lot of the groundwork for games like LoZ.

Xanadu--ostensibly a sequel to Dragon Slayer--was a game that was pitched to the creators of the Wizardry series (they declined) and set a record for sales (400K units) of a computer game, which had yet to be broken, as of 2015.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Chrono Trigger is well made, but why would it be the most important? It didn't really innovate anything.

I am in this boat. IMO, The Secret of Mana's multi-player ARPG mechanics were much more influential on future JRPG (and MMORPG) design.

BTW, I think that the list should also include Castlevania II, Faxanadu, or Zelda II.

[BoneSnapDeez]

There are three computer games referred to as the 'big three computer RPGs': Dragon Slayer, Hydlide, Mugen no Shinzou. Dragon Slayer laid a lot of the groundwork for games like LoZ.

Mugen no Shinzou is an interesting pick. I figured that an Xtalsoft game needed to be placed somewhere on "the list." That does indeed seem to be their most influential game.

BTW, I think that the list should also include Castlevania II, Faxanadu, or Zelda II.

I think the original Xanadu (of which Faxanadu was the spin-off) would be the best pick for this style of game. It predates those three and seems to have influenced the design of them.

[isiolia]

I am in this boat. IMO, The Secret of Mana's multi-player ARPG mechanics were much more influential on future JRPG (and MMORPG) design.

Probably both games really would be, at least with regard to SE's online offerings.

FFXI has the skillchain/magic burst system that is likely derived from Chrono Trigger - well, to be fair, one of the directors (Matsui) of Chrono Trigger designed the combat for FFXI, and later came in to retool FFXIV's combat for ARR.

Meanwhile, the producer/designer/etc for Secret of Mana (Tanaka) was the producer for FFXI from launch until he shifted over to FFXIV...and Matsui took over (he's still running XI).

'course, both of those MMOs were far more influenced by preceding online titles, but still - they're basically where the folks responsible for those old JRPGs have been all this time, and show their influence.

[Exhuminator]

I think the original Xanadu (of which Faxanadu was the spin-off) would be the best pick for this style of game. It predates those three and seems to have influenced the design of them.

What about:

Didn't it kind of start this genre? At least on NES... it predated Zelda II's release by all of seven days!

In all seriousness, Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II is the right answer.

[Jmustang1968]

Chrono Trigger is well made, but why would it be the most important? It didn't really innovate anything.

Well, the thread says "historical hallmarks", and while it didn't necessarily innovate, it's pretty much the pinnacle of 16-bit RPG design, which is in itself a noteworthy achievement.

It's kinda like with first-person shooters. Even though DOOM wasn't the first, it was the game that absolutely crystallized aspects of the genre. Or for brawlers, even though I believe Renegade was the game that introduced belt-scrolling, it was Double Dragon that really solidified that genre.

I would say FFVI is the pinnacle of 16 bit JRPG design.

[Jmustang1968]

And for online/MMOs, I'd say MUDs, Neverwinter, and Ultima Online were the big kick offs.

[Sarge]

Chrono Trigger is well made, but why would it be the most important? It didn't really innovate anything.

Well, the thread says "historical hallmarks", and while it didn't necessarily innovate, it's pretty much the pinnacle of 16-bit RPG design, which is in itself a noteworthy achievement.

It's kinda like with first-person shooters. Even though DOOM wasn't the first, it was the game that absolutely crystallized aspects of the genre. Or for brawlers, even though I believe Renegade was the game that introduced belt-scrolling, it was Double Dragon that really solidified that genre.

I would say FFVI is the pinnacle of 16 bit JRPG design.

I think a reasonable argument could be made for both, honestly. They're both fantastic games, and emblematic of the genre.

[Exhuminator]

I would say FFVI is the pinnacle of 16 bit JRPG design.

I agree, because its scope, emotional pathos, and presentation are the top of the pile. It has a really mature tone that for me Chrono Trigger lacked.

That's not to say I can't see the argument for Chrono Trigger though. Chrono Trigger is just as well made as FFVI. Depending on one's personal tastes, I can totally understand how CT is preferable to FFVI.