BioWare: Japanese RPGs “lack evolution”

by Sal on Dec 18, 2009 at 5:39 pm
PlayStation 3 Xbox 360

BioWare-JRPG-Lacks-Evolution

BioWare Vice-President Greg Zeschuk has said in a recent interview that Japanese role-playing games lack a certain “evolution”.

“The fall of the JRPG in large part is due to a lack of evolution, a lack of progression,” Zeschuk said to D’toid. “They kept delivering the same thing over and over. They make the dressing better, they look prettier, but it’s still the same experience.

“My favorite thing, it’s funny when you still see it, but the joke of some of the dialogue systems where it asks, ‘do you wanna do this or this,’ and you say no. ‘Do you wanna do this or this?’ No. ‘Do you wanna do this or this?’ No. Lemme think – you want me to say ‘yes.’ And that, unfortunately, really characterized the JRPG.”

Although there are exceptions, Zeschuk said; Demon’s Souls is currently one of his favorite games. He does believe that Western role-playing games have evolved much greater those crafted by Japanese development teams, though.

Personally, I’d pick the Japanese role-playing game any day. To me, western and Japanese role-playing games are two completely different genres.

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9 Responses to “BioWare: Japanese RPGs “lack evolution””

  1. DarthNemesis
    12.21.09 (
    7
    )
    3:13 pm      | 

    As a person who has never bought a WRPG and who has been a big fan of JRPG since the PSX.I have to admit that this man is right.I have been saying the same thing for the past 3 years now.This article is not about what you prefer,so that point is irrelevant.notice that FF13 looks exactly like FF12,which looks like FF10,which looks like FF8.There is no progression in the series at all after FF7 and other series like the Tales of franchise has never changed since it debuted.I still like JRPGs,but they are as stale as the FPS genre now.

    • final_fantasy_fan
      01.3.10 (
      9
      )
      5:24 am        | 

      Yes what you say is true, but with each new game that comes out, look at the sales and popularity they gather. Why would they want to change it. Of course make some minor changes here and there, but keep to what sells well.
      I’m pretty sure that those similar like Final Fantasy games would easily outsell any western RPG.

  2. orrange
    12.19.09 (
    6
    )
    8:47 am      | 

    JRPGs have art and style that western rpgs cant match.

    ps. i disliked fallout 3 alot

  3. Ruki
    12.19.09 (
    5
    )
    4:32 am      | 

    I am almost kinda surprised to see someone in the gaming industry say something like this? I will admit that he is slightly correct in the fact that some JRPG’s such as the FF series see the same thing multiple times.. but then you ask, IS THIS STOPPING IT FROM SELLING?? NO! People love what JRPG’s have brought and Square Enix has brought some of the most innovative ideas that I have ever seen in RPG’s. Why change something when people still love it? and why change it when you are a business and obviously the style is still selling?

  4. TezChi
    12.19.09 (
    4
    )
    4:05 am      | 

    I’m not usually one to get into these JRPG vs WRPG discussions, but I may as well say that I DEFINATELY prefer JRPG’s.

    It’s all a matter of personal preference though, as like the article says, they are both completely different. I personally love the art and story telling of JRPG’s, as well as the almost always incredible music.

    I realise Bioware are going to try and put down the JRPG, but I never like it when a developer gets into such “forum” esque arguments.

  5. final_fantasy_fan
    12.19.09 (
    3
    )
    2:11 am      | 

    I’m sorry BioWare, but Japanese RPGs smash your RPGs. Mass Effect is a good game but don’t even compare it to Final Fantasy, your way out of your league.

    Add your pervert alien sex scenes and you think you own the RPG world. You have NO chance against Square Enix.

    JRPGs have been around far longer than Western.

  6. FAUNA
    12.18.09 (
    2
    )
    9:24 pm      | 

    I love Japanese RPGs. I like that old-school experience. I’ll play a Japanese game any day over a western one just for the amazing art. (I do love Mass Effect though)

  7. zingodude
    12.18.09 (
    1
    )
    5:53 pm      | 

    I’m with you Sal. They are both completely different. I do not want to look at western horses and knights and their blight. It’s the same thing over and over again with Western Mythology. Oh wait, it’s buff guy in armor again and let me tell you story with bunch of text.

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