Prologues in JRPGs | The Beginning of the Hero’s Journey

There's no shortage of ways to begin a good ol' fantasy adventure, especially in video games. In this week's episode we talk about the various ways JRPGs have been to known to start their games over the years, analyzing structural patterns and the narrative concept of The Hero's Journey (emphasizing the prologue aspect of it obviously). Lot of nostalgia with this one so hope you all enjoy it.
Thanks for watching everyone! As always, links to our Patreon/Instagram/Twitter are below for those that wish to follow or support us there.
Patreon: / gamingbroductions
Instagram: / gamingbroductions
Twitter: / gbroductions
Edited by: Evan Pierson
Narrated by: Corbin Pierson
'Til next time everyone!
#JRPGs #JRPGprologues #JRPGintros

[@femtrooper]

Loved this! Intros to JRPGs are some of the most nostalgic and most comforting things ever. Great idea!

[@GamingBroductions]

Thanks! Partly why I love JRPGs so much is how cozy those beginnings can be, makes me appreciate the journey and eventual destination that much more

[@jaycenteno8385]

This was a beautiful look at the history of the opening act of my favorite genre of games! :)

[@GamingBroductions]

Thank you, glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@alexiere]

This is why I love jrpgs....its all about the intros.

[@GamingBroductions]

Same. Often times I'll restart some of my favorites games with no intentions of actually finishing it, I just want to experience the coziness of the beginning again. It's about the journey and not the destination for me.

[@goncaloferreira6429]

Vagrant story: player engagement, great storytelling, soundtrack and perfect cinematography.

[@rock117rx2]

I am going to mention 1 example of each of the 2 categories of JRPG prologues that I like. On the "Throws you right into the thick of it with little to no explanation"-category is Breath Of Fire 3. Starting the game with Ryu in his child dragon form, breathing fire on anyone who fights him was a pretty bizarre experience. And I really had not played any game before that started like that. On the "Quite a bit of exposition and dialogue before you get to the action"-category is Super Robot Wars J(udgement). This was the first proper Super Robot Wars game I played, and I absolutely loved how during the opening narration I was able to catch every detail relating to everyone of the anime series featured in the game! And I specially loved how on the male MC's route Touya, his life turns completely upside down the moment a giant robot crashes into his school as he finds himself fighting by the side of Kouji Kabuto and his Super Robot Mazinger Z!

[@GamingBroductions]

Nice! Breath of Fire III is a great example, I do like that opening quite a lot. I haven’t played the SRW game you’re referring to but it sounds pretty cool. On that note, if you are a fan of Super Robot Wars you might happen to like our newest video we just dropped today 😌

[@jaffetcoronado3728]

so happy that u guys is creting content like this mostly appreciating the experience of playing JRPG. shout out to all 90s who grew up playing JRPGs

[@javigomez1697]

Vagrant Story needs a mention

[@guardianrandy]

I second this. Vagrant Story is definitely a top tier gaming prologue.

[@GamingBroductions]

Damn.. you guys are making me feel bad for not having played this one yet 😔 I’ve played the majority of classic RPGs from back in the day but this is one of the few that’s escaped me. I was very much into more traditional jrpgs as a kid and I think that’s why I was never that interested back then. My tastes have evolved over the years though so it sounds like I need to check it out now

[@guardianrandy]

@@GamingBroductions It can be a bit cumbersome and frustrating, especially going back to it nowadays, but it's easily in my top 10 favorite JRPGs despite its shortcomings. Definitely a bit nontraditional as JRPGs go.

[@RockerDanM]

One of my favorites is Breath of Fire 2. The combination of the peaceful music of "Memories" while you around town in black and white and then as you find your sister by the Dragon the game comes alive and the music shifts to a beautiful symphony. Simple design and execution but done brilliantly.

[@dobadobadooo]

If we're talking great JRPG prologues, I think *Skies of Arcadia Legends* has arguably one of the best ones out there, such a fun and exciting start to an absolutely amazing game.

[@GamingBroductions]

I agree, after just making a video about GameCube RPGs though I wanted to spread the love a bit otherwise it would have seen a mention here. It’s a very fun and engaging intro. Lot of charm for sure.

[@OrphanCrippler1]

Awesome video

[@emptymelodies3316]

I think Chrono Cross gets away with the text dump in the beginning because it’s accompanied by an intriguing/relaxing vibe with the lamp dimly lighting the study with beautiful music before going full out epic for the rest of the opening. Thankfully it’s not just white text on a black background

[@braydenb1581]

The best opening to a jrpg is skies of arcadia. Get to be a badass for 20 mins then slow down and get to know your world before... well .. ya

[@lutherh6090]

Do you plan on reviewing Chrono Trigger & Chrono Cross on this channel? They’re two of the very best in the JRPG genre (in my opinion). I particularly love the soundtracks & storylines of both games! Also, just discovered your channel and subscribed :)

[@GamingBroductions]

Thank you for watching and the support! We just put out a retrospective over Chrono Cross, feel free to check it out.

[@SixersOctavian]

Great video as always! What’s the game at 9:23?

[@GamingBroductions]

Thank you! I am Setsuna. Unless you’re talking about the one after that then it’s Thousand Arms

[@bjk4ever93]

it gets better after 70 hours trust me

[@first-law-fantasyabercromb7308]

how i miss Lost Odyssey! for me this was the true Final Fantasy 13, created by the father of Final Fantasy Hironobu Sakaguchi himself! i was hoping with phil spencers talk about how important the japanese market is for xbox, we could see some Sequel one day, but up until now its only useless talk (compared to the 360 era where they showed real commitment for a short time...)

[@georgielockhart6686]

The exposition dump is awful. I remember the first time I played FF10 I was so confused that I set it down for two years until just before 13-2 came out. i agree Final Fantasy 9 opening was awesome.

[@dobadobadooo]

As for prologues I disliked, there aren't many that come to mind, but *Bravely Default II* definitely didn't give me a great first impression. It really just rushes through the first act and takes very little time to introduce the characters or justify why they're going to go on an adventure together in the first place. Thankfully it got a lot better after that, but the weak introduction really almost made me drop the game then and there.

[@GamingBroductions]

I hear you. Rushing things usually never ends well. I haven’t gotten around to the Bravely series but I’ve been intrigued by the newest one. Have you played that one yet?

[@dobadobadooo]

@@GamingBroductions Yeah, the new one _is_ actually Bravely Default II. I know it's a confusing title since it's the third game, but it is what it is. I do recommend the series for the amazing gameplay and music, but story-wise they could definitely be better, so I think whether you'll enjoy it or not depends on what kinda game you're in the mood for.