It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
I found one where you can-Its called Magical Starsign for Nintendo Ds. Why dont the other jrpgs have that?
avatar
deathknight1728: I found one where you can-Its called Magical Starsign for Nintendo Ds. Why dont the other jrpgs have that?
jRPGs often have more deliberate, structured storylines. I'd imagine folks are just used to it.

I really don't mind, so long as the story trade-off is worth it. Sometimes it's nice for them to choose for you so you can experience a very nice story.
avatar
deathknight1728: I found one where you can-Its called Magical Starsign for Nintendo Ds. Why dont the other jrpgs have that?
avatar
Tallima: jRPGs often have more deliberate, structured storylines. I'd imagine folks are just used to it.

I really don't mind, so long as the story trade-off is worth it. Sometimes it's nice for them to choose for you so you can experience a very nice story.
I guess that makes sense. Do you happen to know any where you can choose who you play as ?
That's because there's only one class to choose from - that of a bug eyed, adolescent schoolgirl with magical powers. I guess you could occasionally switch her out with a flying squirrel or giant unicorn, but the class is pretty much the same.
Are Final Fantasy games considered to be Jrpgs?
avatar
Tallima: jRPGs often have more deliberate, structured storylines. I'd imagine folks are just used to it.

I really don't mind, so long as the story trade-off is worth it. Sometimes it's nice for them to choose for you so you can experience a very nice story.
avatar
deathknight1728: I guess that makes sense. Do you happen to know any where you can choose who you play as ?
My favorite jRPG of late was very western -- Dragon's Dogma. You can choose in that.

I'm straining my brain and I can't think of any. You have some like FFX where you can take a character on a path of their skill tree, but you don't break fully free of a general class, though (as far as I remember, it's been some time).

I've played some RPG Maker games with custom classes and whatnot, but nothing comes to mind from big mainstream games.
avatar
Tallima: jRPGs often have more deliberate, structured storylines. I'd imagine folks are just used to it.

I really don't mind, so long as the story trade-off is worth it. Sometimes it's nice for them to choose for you so you can experience a very nice story.
avatar
deathknight1728: I guess that makes sense. Do you happen to know any where you can choose who you play as ?
Final Fantasy (jobs fixed at start of the game)
Final Fantasy 3 (can change job easily during the game)
Final Fantasy 5 (can change job easily and select an ability from another one)
Dragon Quest 9
(Dragon Quest 3 doesn't give you a class choice for the main character, but does for the rest of the party, and there's at least a gender choice for the main, and in remakes, questions that affect your personality)

Also, any Japanese Wizardry-like (Etrian Odyssey series (except Untold's story modes), The Dark Spire, Class of Heroes, Elminage series (including Elminage Gothic)) will let you create your party.
avatar
deathknight1728: I guess that makes sense. Do you happen to know any where you can choose who you play as ?
avatar
Tallima: My favorite jRPG of late was very western -- Dragon's Dogma. You can choose in that.

I'm straining my brain and I can't think of any. You have some like FFX where you can take a character on a path of their skill tree, but you don't break fully free of a general class, though (as far as I remember, it's been some time).

I've played some RPG Maker games with custom classes and whatnot, but nothing comes to mind from big mainstream games.
Yeah but I doubt Dragon's Dogma is Turnbased or like FFantasy. It has to be turnbased to be a jrpg. I dont consider the action rpgs like Phantasy Star Universe (Which is a GREAT action/rpg, but isnt a jrpg by any chance).
avatar
deathknight1728: I guess that makes sense. Do you happen to know any where you can choose who you play as ?
avatar
dtgreene: Final Fantasy (jobs fixed at start of the game)
Final Fantasy 3 (can change job easily during the game)
Final Fantasy 5 (can change job easily and select an ability from another one)
Dragon Quest 9
(Dragon Quest 3 doesn't give you a class choice for the main character, but does for the rest of the party, and there's at least a gender choice for the main, and in remakes, questions that affect your personality)

Also, any Japanese Wizardry-like (Etrian Odyssey series (except Untold's story modes), The Dark Spire, Class of Heroes, Elminage series (including Elminage Gothic)) will let you create your party.
Etrian Odyssey isnt a jrpg. It doesnt have a story, it doesnt have characters and is more of a dungeon crawler. It is fun but it gets boring after about 4 hrs in.
Post edited January 13, 2016 by deathknight1728
avatar
deathknight1728: I guess that makes sense. Do you happen to know any where you can choose who you play as ?
Final Fantasy Tactics, or any of the other games in that genre, if you would count JSRPGs as JRPGs. But generally, I've got to go with what Tallima said. The story is usually more concrete in the JRPG; the open-world idea seems a better fit for the non-J segment of RPGs, and that's the kind of thing that lends itself to choosing your class and background and such.

Maybe the idea of "role-playing a character" that comes up so often is less important to the JRPG. Maybe it's based on experiencing a story, instead of writing one from scratch. I've got to say, given how staggeringly weak the typical RPG storyline and worldbuilding are now compared to when I was really into them in the 80s and 90s, I almost wish we had fewer options for who we play, and more depth in the world we explore. Given the ratings and reviews that Witcher 3 got, I don't think that's an extremely uncommon wish.
avatar
deathknight1728: I guess that makes sense. Do you happen to know any where you can choose who you play as ?
avatar
OneFiercePuppy: Final Fantasy Tactics, or any of the other games in that genre, if you would count JSRPGs as JRPGs. But generally, I've got to go with what Tallima said. The story is usually more concrete in the JRPG; the open-world idea seems a better fit for the non-J segment of RPGs, and that's the kind of thing that lends itself to choosing your class and background and such.

Maybe the idea of "role-playing a character" that comes up so often is less important to the JRPG. Maybe it's based on experiencing a story, instead of writing one from scratch. I've got to say, given how staggeringly weak the typical RPG storyline and worldbuilding are now compared to when I was really into them in the 80s and 90s, I almost wish we had fewer options for who we play, and more depth in the world we explore. Given the ratings and reviews that Witcher 3 got, I don't think that's an extremely uncommon wish.
I largely second the opinions expressed in this comment.
Edit: I forgot to mention: Bravely Default and Xenoblade X both allow you to pick your class.
Post edited January 13, 2016 by AnimalMother117
Here's a different game I could mention: SaGa Frontier. The game doesn't have character classes, but it does have 7 different characters you can choose from, each with their own separate plot.

If you do play SaGa Frontier, be aware that not everyone's quests are created equal. I can place the quests into 3 tiers.

Tier 1 (has unique dungeons, feels fully developed, ideal for new players):
Red (human with a secret superhero identity)
Emelia (human supermodel who was imprisoned for murdering her ex)
T260 (robot found in a scrap heap who has some mission to accomplish)

Tier 2 (no unique dungeons except the final one, but still has a structured quest):
Riki (monster on a mission to collect the rings, not recommended for beginners because of the way monster growth works and some of the challenges at the end)
Asellus (half-mystic who escapes a tyrant and is hunted while you explore, also has lesbian content)
Blue (human mage on a mission to learn all the magic, note that most of his quest is available as sidequests for other main characters; on the other hand, Blue gets a nice item that lets him teleport to other regions faster)

Tier 3 (clearly rushed, a new player should not play this quest):
Lute (you can easily enter his final dungeon (which you can't escape from) right away, which makes his quest a terrible choice for someone not familiar with the game)
I have played Unlimited Saga but it sucked. I dont remember if Saga Frontier is related but Unlimited saga was bad because you dont have any idea what to do.

I guess there really are none on Console but Magical Starsign I beat and Dragon quest 9 I have heard of. Kudos for that recommendation on Dquest 9!
avatar
deathknight1728: I found one where you can-Its called Magical Starsign for Nintendo Ds. Why dont the other jrpgs have that?
Unlike other genres this one had a parallel evolution with two separate roots.

Extra Credits did a three-parter about that once:

P1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_rvM6hubs8

P2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8aiEsIW9IM

P3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmkdoz5LjdE
Well, JRPGs are less about customization, more about a the story and obeying to the rules of the world. I guess this comes from the Japanese society. Japanese society is about having your place in it and fitting the role you play, without asking for more. JRPGs reflect the society, you have to play your part and have to fit into the corsett that the game (which is a reflection of japanese society) puts you in.
Western games are more about individual freedom and higher aspirations, thus giving you more freedom in developing your character.
Disclaimer:
i`m not a natural english speaker, so I could have used wrong words. :-)
avatar
deathknight1728: I have played Unlimited Saga but it sucked. I dont remember if Saga Frontier is related but Unlimited saga was bad because you dont have any idea what to do.
The games are in the same series, but SaGa Frontier is a bit more conventional. If you play one of the Tier 1 characters I mentioned before, you will have a place where you can get new main quests to do. There will be times when you need to fight a certain number of battles before the next quest shows up, but once you do, just go back to your base of operations to get your next quest. (If you're Red, I don't think you need to even do that; one reason why Red is one of the best choices for beginners.)

Emelia is similar, while Blue just has you doing the magic quests that anyone else can do.

Just don't play as Lute on your first playthrough and you should be fine.

SaGa Frontier 2, incidentally, is actually quite different. You don't really get to choose who to play as, and it is much more story oriented (but not as overblown as in the PSX Final Fantasy titles), but the game is structured interestingly; You are given a few scenarios you can choose to play, you choose one, and each scenario consists of a self contained adventure, with maybe one or two towns, and one dungeon to explore; no way to get lost not knowing what to do.