JRPG 101 for the ignorant PC gamer

[Zed Duke of Banville]

First, we must answer the question: what is a JRPG?

1. JRPG either means any Japanese-made RPG, from a variety of subgenres, or refers to a specific subgenre characterized by a focus on narrative and characters with relatively simple game mechanics. Since hardly anyone specifies which one is meant when they use the word "JRPG", this leads to endless confusion between the two.

Already answered in this very thread.

 

[HeatEXTEND]

Dark Souls is not a jRPG period

That's the thing, though. Dark Souls is a JRPG. The reason it passes of as "not a JRPG" is because it is barely animu in its aesthetic, and it doesn't fit with the stereotypical definition of "JRPGs" as a genre (party-based, heavy focus on story, characters with defined personalities).

You seem to be confusing "RPG from Japan" with "JRPG", understandable seeing how you also failed to name TURN-BASED as one of the defining factors of "jRPGs". Is that what you want? People having to type "jRPG" instead of jRPG? huh? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? EH?

 

[Momock]

Another reminder that Japanese-made RPGs and the JRPG subgenre are two distinct concepts.

Another reminder that using the geographical localization of the devs to define a genre is the dumbest thing ever.

Also: where and when was Dark Souls a "RPG"? All I can see is a hack'n'slash.

 

[Sigourn]

You seem to be confusing "RPG from Japan" with "JRPG", understandable seeing how you also failed to name TURN-BASED as one of the defining factors of "jRPGs". Is that what you want? People having to type "jRPG" instead of jRPG? huh? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? EH?

I mean, yes, that is one possible definition. But you will find a lot of people think Tales of Phantasia is a JRPG in "genre".

 

[HeatEXTEND]

I knew you were gonna drag that shit into it
Those are called jRPGs with "innovative battle systems"™
Nah but really, I wouldn't call Secret of mana/terranigma/etc. "jRPGs", they are japanese aRPGs