Thu, May 07, 2009 | 07:32 BST
FFXIII isn’t a JRPG, says Kitase

According to FFXIII producer Yoshinori Kitase, his game isn’t a JRPG. It “straddles genres,” apparently.
“There’s a trend these days to strictly categorize games as western RPGs or Japanese RPGs, but Final Fantasy is something that we don’t try to categorize as either/or,” the developer told Edge.
“For us, the game straddles genre.”
Wish it could straddle continents a little quicker.
Thanks, CVG.


15 comments
#1
Blerk
07/05/09, 8:20 am
It looks pretty much like a JRPG to me.
#2
Michael O'Connor
07/05/09, 10:33 am
There’s a reason it’s categorised as such.
It looks like one. It plays like one. It has the stereotypes (angsty teenagers with spiky hair saving the world) of one.
How the hell is it *not* a JRPG?
#3
Blerk
07/05/09, 10:33 am
Because they say it isn’t.
#4
dirigiblebill
07/05/09, 10:57 am
“Wish it could straddle continents a little quicker.”
OH SNAP.
#5
ecu
07/05/09, 11:55 am
Uh, yeah it’s a JRPG. Clearly.
#6
anasui
07/05/09, 11:56 am
I guess they think we think JRPGS look that way for different reasons
#7
Quiiick
07/05/09, 12:33 pm
Yoshinori Kitase knows that FFXIII is a JRPG. But by publicly denying this fact, SquareEnix may sell a few units more in the west. Marketing.
#8
SticKboy
07/05/09, 1:10 pm
Does it have turn-based combat, random battles and an effeminate, angst-ridden lead? THEN IT’S A JRPG, YOU DIPSHIT.
#9
Blerk
07/05/09, 1:18 pm
It doesn’t have random battles. And the lead’s effeminate because she’s actually a girl this time.
#10
DaMan
07/05/09, 1:25 pm
turn based combat is bullshit. plenty of japanese console rpgs didn’t have it. random battles (that is enemies aren’t on screen) as well.
btw, maybe this is a crappy translation?
#11
No_PUDding
07/05/09, 1:28 pm
Your mum has random battles.
#12
SticKboy
07/05/09, 1:32 pm
I randomly battled your Mum.
#13
fearmonkey
07/05/09, 11:08 pm
If it has has spiky haired men that look more like women, if it has the typical turn based battle system, if it makes you go through an elaborate story, levels you automaticly, and barely allows for true character customization, then yeah its a JPRG.
#14
Seraphemz
07/05/09, 11:48 pm
So fear – this is or isnt one? FF13 doesnt have random battles, and the spikey haired chick looking people…ARE chicks.
#15
fearmonkey
08/05/09, 2:55 am
well i havent played it yet Sera, so i cant make a complete judgement
However, I personally don’t see JRPG’s as RPG’s. JRPG’s are adventure games thats all about the story. There very little true character development in all the JPRG’s I have played.
I wish square would take a try at a big open world game, where exploration isnt on rails, and it lets you go everwhere, like an elders scrolls game meets final fantasy.
A single player, massive story event where you can call your own shots, be your own character, rather than a specific character, on a rial like development path.
Even a squire final fantasy meets Witcher, Diablo, or Fable game would be nice