You know, as much as I love being a gamer, sometimes I really hate my kind. This kind of self-loathing usually comes up when gamers – journalists, developers, and regular players alike – start arguing at each other. These arguments, from my experience, usually degenerate into hyperbole, ad hominem attacks, and general blind faith in whatever side they take. Take the old chestnut of games from different cultures, for instance – Western vs. Eastern games. Each culture has its own unique take on games, and both cultural approaches are valid, and both produce quality games. However, when they get compared to each other, it inevitably disintegrates to a “mine’s bigger than yours” type argument. Need I mention the fight between Japanese RPG and Western FPS? Rather than recount the individual arguments on either side, I’m here to settle the debate once and for all with a simple statement: any genre of game, by either Japanese or Western developer, can be good if the developer does it right. Sure, each culture has a different approach to development, and each aims to create something different, but to assert that the nationality (or even race like some crazed gamers assert) of the game’s origin is the sole determinant of a game’s quality is just…stupid.
I honestly don’t get why so many gamers on either side of the globe can’t get this through their thick skulls. It breaks my heart. I realize I can’t just say something like that and walk away expecting people to listen. So what will follow is a top 10 list of the best Japanese RPGs, shining examples of the JRPG genre done right. These games are proof that the JRPG genre is not, as a whole, stagnant and rigid, as these games in particular have addressed most, if not all, of the flaws that other articles points out as being supposedly endemic to the JRPG genre. The games on this list are just plain awesome, and the fact that they are JRPGs becomes irrelevant in the face of their quality. Not all Western gamers are closed-minded towards JRPGs; in terms of myself, I love the JRPGs that are “off-brand” so to speak, i.e. not part of the big name franchises such as Final Fantasy. So that is what this list will focus on, and thus will hopefully further my argument that you can find a great game in any genre on either side of the Pacific, if you look hard enough. On that note, let’s begin.
10. Parasite Eve – Well, okay, maybe Parasite Eve isn’t strictly a Japanese RPG, having been developed by a team including both Western and Japanese developers at a studio in Los Angeles, CA, but it most definitely has a Japanese flavor to it, with Hironobu Sakaguchi and Takashi Tokita as the lead designers, and the game itself based on a novel by Japanese author Hideaki Sena. In addition to having a compelling, original story based on present day New York City with NYPD homicide detectives as the main characters, Parasite Eve also possessed one of the most kick-ass battle systems of all time. Revolving around gunplay and the powers the main character possesses to enhance her abilities, the battle and weapon customization aspects of the game truly stood out as unique and made the game genuinely fun to play. In fact, upcoming tri-Ace JRPG Resonance of Fate looks to have a battle and weapon customization system that seems inspired by Parasite Eve, or at least that’s the impression I got from the videos I watched of Resonance of Fate. Coincidence? Most likely, but Parasite Eve is as good a source material to draw from as any.
9. Star Ocean – Whoever said JRPGs are too linear obviously hasn’t played any Star Ocean games. Although each game has its own overall plot arc that’s not affected too much by player decision (which actually can be said for almost any Grand Theft Auto game), the point where each game really branches out and provides freedom to alter the game’s direction is with the interactions amongst the player characters. There are opportunities in each game to alter the relationships each character has with the player’s main character, and each decision can alter the dynamic of the party and change what kind of ending you get (at least concerning the fate of each party member). It’s kind of like the precursor to the party loyalty system of Mass Effect 2. Also, the real-time battle system and the blend of sci-fi and fantasy influences to create a unique-looking universe don’t hurt either. Try Star Ocean: the Last Hope if you’re looking to try this series on the Xbox 360.
This feature top 10 list continues on the next page, please click below to reveal our next couple choices for top 10 Japanese RPGs of all time.
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