Is this the worst generationf for JRPGs or what?

[ZeroAX]

Is this the worst generationf for JRPGs or what?

We are 5 years in and we've had 1 Final Fantasy, which while I consider it a good game, I don't really consider it a proper FF game. Here's to FF VS 13 having an open world like they said it will.

Anyway 1 FF game, a few gems here and there (RoF,ValkyriaC) but overall very few games, and not that good.

Then again the genre is getting some love on the DS, but they are mostly 2D JRPGs that haven't evolved and play like SNES/PS1 era JRPGs.

Anyone else disappointed by this?

[AppleQueso]

Then again the genre is getting some love on the DS, but they are mostly 2D JRPGs that haven't evolved and play like SNES/PS1 era JRPGs.

I would argue that JRPGs in general haven't evolved past the SNES/Ps1 era. They're just flashier now.

[ZeroAX]

Then again the genre is getting some love on the DS, but they are mostly 2D JRPGs that haven't evolved and play like SNES/PS1 era JRPGs.

I would argue that JRPGs in general haven't evolved past the SNES/Ps1 era. They're just flashier now.

true. At least many of them have thrown random encounters out of the window.

Seriously Lufia 2 on the SNES solved that problem years ago, why did it take the FF series 10 years to follow?

[Ack]

Seriously Lufia 2 on the SNES solved that problem years ago, why did it take the FF series 10 years to follow?

Honestly though, why should they? The Final Fantasy series was making tons of money through large sales on name brand alone. The Lufia series is at best a hidden gem of the overall JRPG genre, which is heavily dominated by Squaresoft, Enix, or Square Enix games. It probably didn't even register as a blip on their radar.

I'd say part of the problem is that RPGs are evolving, and while they were one of the dominant moneymakers in the PS1 era, they've lost steam when compared to the current sales of FPS and TPS titles. One could also argue this is currently the worse generation for fighters, who's heyday ended some time ago. I'd say it was a bad time for shmups, but they seem to be having a revival thanks to Xbox Live and PSN, even if it does seem limited to the cult fan base.

[baschlives]

Don't forget Demon's Souls

[durkada]

Maybe JRPGs this gen aren't in the best of health. The form is certainly stagnant. But I think it really comes to where you are looking. Consoles may not have the JRPGs they once did, but portable gaming of this generation has a huge selection. Some are -- gasp -- fun.

[AppleQueso]

Seriously Lufia 2 on the SNES solved that problem years ago, why did it take the FF series 10 years to follow?

Honestly though, why should they? The Final Fantasy series was making tons of money through large sales on name brand alone. The Lufia series is at best a hidden gem of the overall JRPG genre, which is heavily dominated by Squaresoft, Enix, or Square Enix games. It probably didn't even register as a blip on their radar.

I'd say part of the problem is that RPGs are evolving, and while they were one of the dominant moneymakers in the PS1 era, they've lost steam when compared to the current sales of FPS and TPS titles. One could also argue this is currently the worse generation for fighters, who's heyday ended some time ago. I'd say it was a bad time for shmups, but they seem to be having a revival thanks to Xbox Live and PSN, even if it does seem limited to the cult fan base.

How do you feel about the state of Survival Horror this gen, Ack?

[durkada]

Don't forget Demon's Souls

Does that count? Because, frankly, I think its too awesome to be a JRPG. Demon's Souls made me realize there are, basically, only two genres of games. Demon's Souls, and Everything Else.

[the7k]

The problem of JRPGs on consoles is almost definitely tied to the economy. Developing a JRPG takes a lot of time, a lot of work and a lot of money. Developing them on current-gen consoles takes a similar amount of resources.

That, combined with the international gaming climate shifting away from very Japanese games means that very few are willing to spend all those resources on a very risky game - and the ones that are willing to take that risk are the mega-conglomerates like Namco Bandai and Square Enix, who tend to make very poor decisions for the sake of focus grouping and other ways to 'control' profitability.

[dlmvii]

very few are willing to spend all those resources on a very risky game - and the ones that are willing to take that risk are the mega-conglomerates like Namco Bandai

In before lisalover1

*duck*