Japanese console RPGs with western influences

[kyouki]

There's quite a difference between a traditional Japanese console RPG and a traditional western computer RPG. Whereas Japanese console RPGs tend to focus on a linear plots with individual character development and little interaction besides combat, traditional western computer RPGs tend to go one of two ways: 1) dungeon crawlers like Wizardry (almost pure tactical combat games) and 2) nonlinear quest-based games where there is little or no character development and a very straightforward plot that is "in the background" so to speak.

I happen to enjoy all three types of game but am interested when the Japanese attempt a western style RPG or introduce elements of western style RPGs into otherwise traditional console RPGs.

So here are some games I've found... if anyone can add to this or suggest some games I would appreciate it.

King's Field
This series is pretty much a single character party real time version of the Wizardry series. Or, a more focused version of Ultima Underworld.

Wizardry and similar games
Whereas this series sort of lost steam and died in the west, in Japan it seems to do very well. There have been a lot of Japan-exclusive games in the series released. Wizardry: TotFL (aka Wizardry Busin) is actually more a traditional Wizardry game than the last official version developed by Sir-Tech!

The Shin Megami Tensei series should also be mentioned as the earlier games play very much like Wizardry games, though the difference would be that you have very little control over your party in the SMT games, whereas in Wizardry games you tend to be able to select your class, etc.

Lunatic Dawn
Don't know much about these other than what I've read on Art Dink's site. These appear to be very western-style nonlinear single character RPGs with some life sim aspects. From what I've read the PS2 version, Tempest, is pretty awful... but the PSone games are excellent.

Taikoh Risshiden
This is a series of games KOEI puts out that basically take the RPG aspects of the latter RotTK games, plug them into medieval Japan and make a whole game out of them. Lots of menu based interactions with people, wandering the island of Japan, and plotting the course of your destiny. I've got TR5 for PS2 but the sheer amount of text means I'm hardly ever in the mood to play it with dictionary in hand.

Uncharted Waters aka Daikoukai Jidai
Another KOEI series that is basically Pirates! with more RPG aspects.

Final Fantasy XII
Plays a lot like a western MMORPG mixed with the FFX sphere grid system.

Now, some otherwise traditional console RPG games with western computer RPG aspects:

Romancing SaGa
This series features a nonlinear scenario system for most of its games, as well as a level up system closer in design to a western crpg. Otherwise they play very similarly to something like Final Fantasy.

Metal Max/Metal Saga
More traditional than the Romancing SaGa series, Metal Max/Metal Saga games do feature lots of open-ended exploration and side quests.

Heavily inspired by Diablo:

Record of Lodoss War DC
Like a more nonlinear, larger Diablo. Pretty massive world to explore once you get out of the first area, and tons of interesting ways to power up your character.

Shining Force Neo series
From the makers of RoLW DC comes a cel-shaded game pretty similar to RoLD, but without the massive overworld to explore.

Xanadu NEXT

Heavily inspired by Rogue:

Mysterious Dungeon series (Shiren, Chocobo, Torneko, Yangus, Druaga and many others) as well as Azure Dreams and many others

Other:

Early Falcom games
A lot of the early falcom games have a ton of computer RPG influences. Dragon Slayer and Xanadu are very similar to games like Temple of Apshai with some elements of the early Ultima games thrown in.

Legend of Mana
Curious combination of a side-scrolling brawler mixed with seemingly random sidequests. Tells its story in a style similar to most western computer RPGs (that is, it's more about the world than it is about your specific character).

[wyrdwad]

Xanadu Next, actually -- one of Falcom's more recent games -- kind of carries on the tradition of the older Xanadu titles. There is a plot, but it's pretty minimal, with the game being more about exploration and combat than anything else. It's sort of like what you'd get if you took an Ys game, and mixed it with something like Diablo.

-Tom

[The bag of sand]

Record of Lodoss War for Dreamcast plays sort of like Diablo.

[Ethrin]

I can't really back this statement up, but I hear that Yasumi Matsuno, the initial director for Final Fantasy XII enjoyed a little Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and some of Bioware's other RPGs. Alas Matsuno got too stressed out then fell ill and had to leave FF XII in more conservative hands.

Still, playing FFXII, I can't help but feel as though there's a connection. Maybe I'm just crazy.

[kyouki]

Forgot about the Diablo clones and the fact that FFXII plays a heck of a lot like KOTOR and various MMORPGs. Thanks.

[pkt]

ethrin said:

Alas Matsuno got too stressed out then fell ill and had to leave FF XII in more conservative hands.

Or he simply got fired.

</controversy>

Anyway, there's a noticeable Western influence in his other games as well, at the very least in terms of the gameworld and setting.

Also, would Japanese... roguelites, for a lack of a better term, count? Almost classifying as a proper roguelike, except a lot more simple - that's not to say they're any less fun. I'm thinking of Shiren the Wanderer, in particular. There's Monster Gate 1/2 for the GBA in a similar style as well.

[kyouki]

pkt said:

ethrin said:

Alas Matsuno got too stressed out then fell ill and had to leave FF XII in more conservative hands.

Or he simply got fired.

</controversy>

Anyway, there's a noticeable Western influence in his other games as well, at the very least in terms of the gameworld and setting.

Also, would Japanese... roguelites, for a lack of a better term, count? Almost classifying as a proper roguelike, except a lot more simple - that's not to say they're any less fun. I'm thinking of Shiren the Wanderer, in particular. There's Monster Gate 1/2 for the GBA in a similar style as well.

Good point, those need to be on here as well.

[vysetd]

Does Azure Dreams count?

[zzz]

Saga and Metal Max are TOTALLY Japanese style. It is iffy, if you ask me, calling those western style rpgs.

Wizardry is made in Japan? I always thought that series and Falcom's games were the best western style rpgs. I kind of assumed it was western because of it's gameplay style. So Japan has my two favorite western style rpgs? Huh. Although that is strictly relative, because western style rpgs are not really my kind of thing.

Steambot is a good example of a western influnced rpg made in Japan. It was more or less completely free roaming and there is no real point in the game. Just like Ultima, or whatever.

[kyouki]

zzz said:

Saga and Metal Max are TOTALLY Japanese style. It is iffy, if you ask me, calling those western style rpgs.

Wizardry is made in Japan? I always thought that series and Falcom's games were the best western style rpgs. I kind of assumed it was western because of it's gameplay style. So Japan has my two favorite western style rpgs? Huh. Although that is strictly relative, because western style rpgs are not really my kind of thing.

Steambot is a good example of a western influnced rpg made in Japan. It was more or less completely free roaming and there is no real point in the game. Just like Ultima, or whatever.

See, I think the Metal Max/Saga games are heavily influenced by western RPGs, especially Metal Saga. Not only is the story/world very much inspired by Mad Max, but the way the story plays out is very similar to a western computer RPG- there's only a thin plot ("become a hunter!") with little or no twists that basically allows you to explore and do whatever you want while you are trying to solve the game. It's extremely similar to something like an early Ultima, where you are told to defeat an evil wizard, dropped in the middle of the land, and given no direction.

It's the main reason the game got such awful reviews in the US game mags- people looked at it an were expecting it to play like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest and were shocked when the game dropped you in the middle of nowhere and left you to fend for yourself and figure out what to do with very little plot moving you forward.

However, it does play like a traditional console RPG, which is why I put it in the section with the Romancing SaGa games.

As for Wizardry, the original computer games were made by Sir-Tech, a US company. However, it seems they licensed the game to other companies in Japan, who ended up creating completely original Wizardry games that were not released outside of Japan.