Assume The Role

Games are often brushed off as idle pass times. Some hardly ever see any merit in them. But there's a great deal of artistry involved in some genres, no more so than JRPGs.

JRPGs are among the most masterful experiences ever engineered. From visual aesthetics, composed music, and complex narratives, this genre of video games blends all the best forms of art seamlessly. No other medium can capture this lighting in a bottle. But what exactly is a JRPG and how does it fill the tall order of “masterful”?

JRPG stands for Japanese role-playing game, an eastern-style RPG (a role-playing game made in USA.) that has developed a loyal fanbase since the late 80s and has consistently implemented the same formula for artistic prowess well into the 20th century.

The Plots.

JRPGs typically tackle stories on a grandiose scale with thought-provoking subject matter. Subjects like being faced with your fragile mortality, the lies and comfort in religion, and confronting not so omniscient creators. You usually assume the role of a young, naive hero searching for something quite simple that leads him to make lifelong comrades that will ultimately help him slay the God of their world. The plots progress much like a Rube Goldberg machine; there's no way to tell how it will unfold until it's done.

These tales truly rival that of works done by master writers, but there is more to enjoy than an impactful story.

The Gameplay.

Most JRPGs implement a gameplay mechanic called turn-based. With this, you are and your party members are in a fixed position or formation, taking turns attacking the opposition. Analogous to chess, a sense of tact is needed to achieve your goal. While being strategic is definitely a boon, other factors play into victory.

As you progress through these story-driven games, there will be a great number of encounters that reward you with experience points that will be allocated to your base stats, strengthening you. Being a tactician won't serve you well if your foe can capitalize fatally.

It's a thinking man's game and tends to be quite difficult, but with smarts and preparation, you'll enjoy the trials.

The Music.

If the complex story and gameplay weren't enough to wind you up, the music will certainly get you going. A staple of JRPGs is symphonies and emotionally driven music. These types of scores are particularly special because one could enjoy it without having to play the game. Nobuo Uematsu is a legendary composer with his most notable works being in JRPGs. He has performed many of his works from games in front of live audiences. Today, he still contributes his mastery of the genre.

Finally: The Art.

The bread and butter of the genre; the art styles. Similar to their plots and music, all JRPGs have a distinct art style. No two are alike. The art designers gravitate towards a more fantasy aesthetic than a realistic one. This is most appropriate considering you are meant to assume the role of a player experiencing the grandest of fantasies. The culture dictates that the graphics do not have to look "real" in order to be visually stunning.

The Masterful.

JRPGs have been around since the 80s. Using visuals, symphonies, and well-written plots to immerse the player in a world far from their own. A world that begs questions that they didn't know needed asking. This genre of games will leave you filling the void with the best book, music, and art you can find. These moving pieces of art continue to dazzle and show no signs of dying out.