This week the gang are talking JRPGs, or Japanese role-playing games to use words. Does a game have to be made in Japan to be a JRPG? Or does it just need bright colours and turn-based battles? We seek to understand the true meaning of the genre by stumbling over dozens of games and deciding whether or not they’re allowed into the JRPG treehouse.

Katharine reckons if it isn’t made in Japan, it can get out. Adam thinks the US-made Anachronox counts. And Brendan is happy to apply the label to Undertale, or anything with lots of townspeople to speak to.

Links:

Spawn point - The best JRPGs for beginners: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/02/16/spawn-point-the-best-jrpgs-for-total-beginners/

Have you played... Anachronox? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/09/30/anachranox-retro/

It’s on GOG if not! https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/15/the-wait-is-over-anachronox-is-on-gog-com/

Final Fantasy XV is coming to PC soon: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/16/final-fantasy-xv-pc-release-date/

Katharine’s Final Fantasy XV interview: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/02/20/final-fantasy-15-mod-support-essential/

The trailer for Kingsglaive, the film you need to watch to understand FFXV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htnkOpknGok

Final Fantasy XV will have co-op multiplayer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/02/20/final-fantasy-xvs-co-op-expands-with-its-pc-launch/

Have you played… Final Fantasy VII? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/29/have-you-played-final-fantasy-vii/

Kotaku’s Found in Translation for Final Fantasy VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZefYEaNUJ7w&list=PLsiJPoHlPqEEA07AKMQ2Hm2oRLiGkR_uJ

Space Funeral is the best IJRPG ever: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/10/31/the-50-best-free-games-on-pc/42/

What’s Hyperdimension Neptunia? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/11/03/hyperdimension-neptunia-rebirth3-v-generation-pc/

Recettear (it’s pronounced racketeer) review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/09/11/wot-i-think-recettear-an-item-shops-tale/

The Secret of Mana remake is out: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/02/15/secret-of-manas-3d-remake-is-out-now-on-steam/

Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 2 is definitely a JRPG: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/05/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-of-cold-steel-released-on-pc/