What's a JRPG? Defining the Genre

Twitter: / jrpgkeon
Hey guys! In this video I wanted to talk about the interesting topic of what exactly constitutes a JRPG. What is a JRPG anyways? There's definitely some subjectivity here, but I tried to come up with some criteria common to the genre! Let me know what you think!

[@HenryPerez_royal_hp]

Dude, this video deserves WAYYY more views- excellent work friend! I subscribed 👍

[@shaifs5072]

I believe the fixed plot is the most important aspect of what makes a JRPG a JRPG. After that a party and a continuous growth system is important. Anime influences and a largely linear style of play come after that. The last two seem to be the least important aspect. Where the game is made does not determine if it's a JRPG or not such as Magna Carta; a Korean made franchise.

[@alinutu1892]

thank you just thanks... this is detailed and well explained I can finally explain what makes an RPG be an RPG beside my instincts

[@amyrodriguez9671]

This answered all my questions. Loved how detailed you were.

[@SoundwaveSpectre]

Great video! I am trying to develop my own rpg on rpg maker mz so it was a great refresher to listen to.

[@adventuresofrohit3057]

This was an informative guide.

[@jeffluo9591]

Great video! Very helpful.

[@dafff08]

question: what is the e series 13:10? i would be interested.

[@3nderoX]

This genre is easily defined. It's anything that has combat/game mechanics similar to or if not outright the same as the games listed below. (The story/plot progression/fixed narrative DOES NOT MATTER whether or not it fits in this genre. Also Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia and Terranigma aren't JRPGs they are in the same genre as Zelda and Alundra) 1. Dragon Warrior/Quest. 2. Final Fantasy(All but 11 and 14)/Chrono Trigger/Phantasy Star(1-4) 3. Persona/SMT. 4. Tales/Star Ocean(Star Ocean TDF is the furthest SO has moved away from JRPGs) Being Japanese really doesn't have anything to do with whether or not a game is a JRPG anymore since it's an entire style/genre invented by Japanese developers anybody could make games like this and I would at least consider them JRPGs. The most important traits of a JRPG are like I mentioned above the combat/mechanics/systems and it's flow of combat ALL JRPGs will be similar enough (Except for the ARPG hybrids like Tales and Star Ocean that you should be able to after playing it for a bit be like "Yup this is a JRPG." (Souls games ARE NOT JRPGs at all they don't play anything like games that define the genre do they are full on ARPGs like 3d Zelda games just because you have levels and stat increases does not make it a JRPG on it's own.) (Cosmic Star Heroine is something I would consider a JRPG) There's another genre within JRPGs and some RPGs that wasn't mentioned in this video that has a few different names but is the same genre "Dungeon Crawler, Blobber, or DRPG" (Wizardry fits into this genre as well more so than it does for CRPGs) a lot of the turn based one's especially Etrian Odyssey and games like it use JRPG oriented mechanics VERY similar to Dragon Warrior and SMT; SMT even has a game in this genre called "Strange Journey." The defining trait of this genre however is it is mostly focused on either very difficult or tedious combat/mechanics. (This is just two cents from a guy that's played A LOT of JRPG from the SNES period to now) EDIT: This took a little more effort than I originally thought it was going to take and had to redo this comment a few times lol.

[@raymondcorp3098]

Great breakdown of ur thoughts

[@Puketapu]

this is an excellent video. Thanks mate

[@Joeindimension]

Thanks for the history lesson, enjoyed it.

[@young-ceo]

Amazing explanation!

[@faris_diz]

Thank you, nice vid

[@Kataki2027]

After giving 300th like... 😅😅 I want to say thanks bro💜 It was too helpful👌🏻👍🏻

[@aaronrobinson9386]

13:41 Was that a typo? I was positive he meant Mario & Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

[@blackknightjack3850]

Extra Credits defines it as a character driven story wherein you're playing a pre-established character who already has their own characterization as oppose to Western RPGs which tend to leave their protagonists as blank slates for you to project yourself onto. I, however, would say it goes beyond that in that a true JRPG does this, but also gives you a traveling party of similar such characters who have their own pre-deterimined characterization and gives you full control over said party.

[@JRPGKeon]

Hmm interesting, I definitely agree with the first part. What exactly do you mean by full control over every character? Does that mean that Tales isnt a true jrpg?

[@blackknightjack3850]

@@JRPGKeon Only ever played Phantasia, but I do remember you had control over everyone. The game was just really clunky about controlling the party.

[@JRPGKeon]

@@blackknightjack3850 Yeah you can switch characters in modern Tales but you can only control one at a time. Does that count?

[@blackknightjack3850]

​@@JRPGKeon About as much as it counts for Final Fantasy 12 and up or Kingdom Hearts which I think really stretch it. At the end of the day it comes down to WHY party control is important which is generally that you can't trust A.I characters. Whether it's Kingdom Hearts where the allied A.I is notoriously bad or Final Fantasy XIII where (despite constant cries to the contrary) the A.I is smart enough to play the game for you, the use of A.I reduces a lot of player agency in regards to the main gameplay component of a JRPG: The combat. Don't get me wrong. Despite thinking FF XIII is hot garbage like everyone else, I actually do like its combat system, but I'm still hesitant to call it a JRPG.

[@JRPGKeon]

@@blackknightjack3850 yeah I think we just disagree then. I would definitely call Kingdom Hearts, FF XII and FF XIII JRPGs

[@aortaplatinum]

Speaking so highly of Phantasy Star warms this SEGA nerd's heart. Poor game deserves far better than a budget PS2 remake and being left in the past while Phantasy Star Online 2 acts as the series' only official presence, even being absent from both All Stars Racing games. The most recent representation of Phantasy Star classic was having some of the characters in the now defunct Candy Crush clone SEGA Heroes, how fuckin sad is that

[@afattaco7278]

I heard final fantasy 7 is good so I bought the original! Should I get the others?

[@RayOfTruth]

Every numbered Final Fantasy game has a new setting with new characters. I'd recommend Final Fantasy IV and VI next.

[@jiraiya0698]

If your profile picture is Stoke, I'm listening.

[@twiosbs9182]

11:17 what Game is that?

[@WillKrepelin]

Octopath Traveler. It's on the Switch and PC.

[@jg1692]

I hope you’re joking

[@xviinaichi3793]

@@jg1692 he didn't mean zelda the one after

[@Kooljupiter]

Let's redefine JRPGs as Japanese "STYLE" RPGs

[@Javifaa]

Just a doubt, does the Witcher series count as as Action JRPG series or a Computer RPG series? I'd say it's a mix on both concepts, but I would like to hear others opinions. Also, do you consider the Monster Hunter series a RPG at all? It has some of the elements, but lacks in-game character progression (unless you count getting better armor as that, which I don't, as it's not inherent to the character).

[@drockhero5260]

The Witcher 3 is definitely western action rpg in my opinion. There are no influence by anime or manga. And I don't think MH is an RPG but it is heavily influenced by anime and manga. I still tell people to this day, "the best Monster Hunter game is the Witcher 3."

[@Javifaa]

@@drockhero5260 anime and manga influences don't matter. What matters are both the mechanics and the narrative.

[@xviinaichi3793]

@@Javifaa nah they definitely have importance but they aren't the definitive way to exam what makes a jrpg

[@Javifaa]

@@xviinaichi3793 edit: Ups. I just forgot what I said in my previous comment. Gameplay genres aren't related to the visual presentation, neither the narrative tropes used. They may have a "standard way of looking", but changing that doesn't change anything else about the genre the game fall on.

[@xviinaichi3793]

@@Javifaa hmmm true that I agree

[@ThisIsExile91]

14:23 XDDDD

[@abeprzyla6844]

3:39

[@drockhero5260]

Thanks, well explained. I am a western RPG player through and through. I didn't even know what the J stood for! I never got into anime or manga so that is why I'm not a fan of the genra

[@Sam-gs2wq]

Uh simple fact check my friend, Pokemon is a fair deal bigger than FF outside and in Japan.

[@asmodeus58XX]

I don't know if it's recent or not, but your video is freaking out. It's glitching from the first second.

[@wing7541]

Sooo... about anime eh🤔 How about Danganronpa (Visual Novel Game) is this count as a JRPG or just RPG?

[@muneymyke4170]

I Believe RPG'z... An JRPG'z... Are Just As U' Stated... Initially, And Traditionally... But, How Japan Styled a Game Wit' Western Mechanics... An How Da' West Styled Game'z Wit' a Mo' JRPG Feel... So, I Believe Modern RPG'z/JRPG'z... Are Progressively Becomin' Mo' Hybridish, As a Result Of Developerz', Innovativness, In Continuously, Searchin' Fo' a Better, Or Perhapz, Da' Perfect System Structure, ANY Type Of RPG Cud' Possibly Have. I Think... Idk Just My Opinion.

[@chozochiefxiii3298]

Im pretty sure Ys, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy and Fire emblem we're all the grandfathers of jrpgs. They all play differently too Ys: real time action. Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy: turn based. Fire emblem: strategy.

[@faidou9954]

I love the fact that Final Fantasy is lighter on its anime influences than most JRPG franchises. Took me a long time to figure out why FF is my favorite JRPG, but in a way, you've summerized it in one sentence.

[@afattaco7278]

Faidou I’m playing FF 7 for the first time (the original) they made a remake but it wasn’t on switch + I heard it’s good

[@faidou9954]

@@afattaco7278 I hope you're prepared for one hell of a story, then.

[@afattaco7278]

Faidou I just learned that the flowagirl is an ancient from her mom (her name was to genaric so I named is FlowaGirl. Btw is 7 the best one?

[@faidou9954]

@@afattaco7278 It's really up to you to decide which final fantasy is the best one, but my favorite is Final Fantasy 10, which is also on the Switch, same with FF 8 and 9.

[@afattaco7278]

Faidou why did they remake 7 if the others are better?

[@DragoX7]

DragonAge: Origins

[@lain11644]

When people say that "JRPGs have to be made in Japan", what they really mean is that they have to be made by Japanese. FFIX being made in Hawaii has no bearing on the genre of Cosmic Star Heroine because FFIX is a game directed by Japanese. Everyone from director to producer to artist to composer to lead programmer is Japanese. The idea that FFIX is not "made in Japan" because it's developed in Hawaii is silly.

[@ragingpanty]

what makes a good JRPG? a good skill tree system and a grinding gear mechanics while story is not really a big deal.

[@henkdemetsenaere1374]

RagingPanty that is not true! A lot of jrpg’s have great story lines

[@ragingpanty]

@@henkdemetsenaere1374 I didn't say JRPG has bad story line what I'm saying is the thing I like about JRPG is the gameplay and end game mechanics while story line is only optional.

[@henkdemetsenaere1374]

RagingPanty oh okay I misunderstood.

[@hyogaiceheart]

"Jrpg" is a bs term invented by early to mid 2000's "journalists" that doesn't really mean anything. Some say it means turn-based games like DQ and early FFs. So then are Wizardry and the Ultima series "jrpgs" too? Darkest Dungeon, Battlechasers? If it means games made by Japanese developers, then are dragon's dogma and the soul series jrpgs? I'm fine if its one or the other, but when people start adding so many exceptions then there is no rule, and the term becomes meaningless when there is no connection or correlation with gameplay.

[@retrodkcn1979]

Its just a stupid buzzword just like "wrpg" These terms should be used ONLY to define gameplay, not to breed pre-conceived notions about a game solely based on the nationality

[@pruitv2857]

the term jrpg was made up by some jealous losers, who saw how rpgs became one of the most popular genres in the 90s, so they started to call every action adventure, shooter etc a rpg and the real rpgs became jrpgs. and no, it has no actual meaning, for some dmbarses its a rpg made in japan, for others its a rpg with a japanese theme, sometimes there are rpgs made in japan with a western theme but still end up as jrpgs, or anime rpgs are also jrpgs. its a newer term that didnt exist in the early 2000s and no one can explain it properly. and the ridiculous thing is, how ppl also cant even explain actual rpgs. some say, when the main character plays a role like wtf, like in pretty much any game...or when you can lvl up, or when theres magic, or when there are abilities, or when your decisions can influence something in the game etc etc...but no, none of these things make a game a rpg.

[@nifftbatuff676]

People consider Dark Souls a JRPG. So it think also Doom Eternal qualifies.

[@afattaco7278]

Te game your playing is fucking weird...