JRPGs (aka Japanese role-playing games, eastern RPGs or console RPGs) may be considered a niche market for Western RPG fans. While these games retain a lot of elements present in most RPGs, there are cultural nunances in these games that make them a treat to play.
JRPGs officially make their way to Western shores if the demand is great enough and if a a company is willing to market them on foreign soil. It falls to the publisher to adapt the game for a foreign audience who may not be familiar with the Eastern cultural themes presented in the game.
So how do you identify a JRPG from a Western one? There are many telltale signs, but take note that the following may not apply in each and every case.
For one thing, the way each one tells their story is already a dead giveaway. JRPGs tend to be more linear and scripted than their Western cousins. The trade-off is that the former often possess very dramatic characterization and plot events, so much so that they feel like interactive epic movies.
Secondly, certain archetypes tend to crop up more in JRPGs. The concept of the bishounen or "pretty boy" character is an Eastern concept, as is the tendency for characters to develop romantic relationships with each other (particularly if they're introduced early on in the game). The last two games in Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei's Persona series are good examples of this.
Thirdly, JRPGs often make use of the classic elements. I take it you've seen Avatar: The Last Airbender? Fire, water, earth and air spells can be seen in most Eastern RPGs such as the Final Fantasy series, with other elements like light and darkness thrown in for good measure.
Lastly, the so-called "random enemy encounter" is a console RPG staple. This happens when your heroes are wandering around, minding their own business, when they're suddenly whisked off to battle. It's a double-edged sword, and some of the more modern JRPGs no longer employ this feature.
Anyway, if you're interested in learning more about recurring themes in eastern RPGs, check out this tongue-in-cheek set from TVtropes.org regarding "RPG cliches." It's an amusing read.
Well, that's it for now. Thank you for reading my blog post. In my next article, I'll spend a little more time talking about one Eastern RPG I've had the privilege to play: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4. Stick with me for more info on the wonderful world of JRPGs.
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