JRPG Discussion - What makes a good one?

I played Final Fantasy X and Suikoden III probably at least a hundred times each when I was growing up. I always loved the story of these games, don't think I would have liked the games as much without their stories.

The larger battles were always my preferred battles too, the big boss battles of Final Fantasy and the major "military movements" in Suikoden were way more fun to me personally than the "go search for a person to talk to" quests.

And cutscenes. Cutscenes always felt like you said, a reward. They always followed accomplishing something big. It meant you figured out something major or beat that one boss. And believe me when I say, when fighting Sin, the cutscenes were reward enough. That guy was tough every time. Died over and over. The first time I saw the transition I screamed with joy. So happy.

 

What i always enjoyed in games like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger were the Story, the beautifull landscape you would travel. As for questing related i always enjoyed the variety of some laying the focus on battle and some laying the focus on background story or just a funny thing to do.
I agree with above that a cutscene was always a reward after that hot blooded battle you could sit back and enjoy a beautifull cutscene.
Regarding a JRPG i also like the characters, the style they have is always unique compared to others games and the lvling system is unique in its own way

 

I think JRPG's always have an excellent story which can sometimes not compete with RPG's. I also enjoy the turn based combat. I have 2 LP's on my channel focused on that type of combat, The Last Remnant and Lost Odyssey. Great games and maybe you can pull stuff from those 2.

 

If you know Disgaea (thank god it's coming to PC this month), Final Fantasy Tactics, and Fire Emblem. Those are great games, and in terms of being JRPG, they are not short of greatness, especially the story! Final Fantasy Tactics has one of the best storyline ever, they may be quite deep though. Fire Emblem also has a nice story, have to play it twice, first is the usual permanent death, while the second playthrough would be casual just to see all the cutscenes.