JP Vs US RM Games

[Chrome]

So I stumble upon Nocturne Rebirth today (a Japanese XP game) and was mind blown by the quality of the game. The game just had some crazy effects, running sprites, a really sexy looking battle system, artwork, etc. How does this game rank in the Japanese RM community? Is it the best, good, or your typical JP RM game?

Now when I look at our best RM games, lets say Master of the Wind (XP game, last year Misao winner). At least visually speaking it is nothing compare to Nocturne. So this got me wondering about our skill gap between us and JP. Is there something that we are good at and that JP can not do well in RM? Or are we just in different leagues?

What are your thoughts on this? Have you played and JP RM games? What did you think of it?

-NC

 

[Signora Shishkebab]

W-wha? D8 ONLY JP Vs US?

Anyway, it's not like Nocturne Rebirth was made without a budget. Several people worked on that game. However, I don't think you realise that there are quite a few creatively crafted, original resourced RPG Maker games made by westerners. This forum is not the be all end all of western RPG Maker games.

Ever heard of Americana Dawn (though it's not been released)? Middens? Eyes Without A Face? I think a problem is that these sorts of games require such dedication that they never see the light of day. There's a lot more strain when you're going for full customisation, and possibly innovation.

The only Japanese RPG Maker game I've played was Yume Nikki. Due to the language barrier, there's probably plenty of Japanese RPG Maker games that we've not yet seen. Good and bad ones.

 

[Liak]

You mean this? While the battle system is outstanding for sure, I don't really like the maps. Or at least I don't find them that good. Star Stealing Prince, as an example from, I believe, the UK, does a better job in this regard.

 

[Kread-EX]

Eastern mapping style tends to prioritize big open spaces to facilitate navigation, unlike Western habit to clutter the map with stuff. This is probably what bothers you.

I won't participate to the JP vs US debate though, because it's stupid and has been done to death. Especially since "US" means nothing; the English-speaking RM community is international.

 

[gRaViJa]

As far as I know Nocturne Rebirth project has been dropped. All communities have great and bad rm games. US has To The Moon, Vacant Sky, Star Stealing Prince etc. All great games.

On a sidenote, I am most impressed visually by a Thai rm game called Eternal Dawn: http://irpg.in.th/thread-46-post-2500.html isn't it also interesting all these games are either made with rmxp or use rmxp styled graphics?

 

[♥SOURCE♥]

I think it's pretty pointless to call US or THEM because we're people who live in the same world and uses the same program. Some thousands of km doesn't make much difference.

 

[Kread-EX]

As far as I know Nocturne Rebirth project has been dropped.

Nope.

 

[Clord]

I personally prefer to have room to navigate in games. Games like "profit motive" are good examples of that. Instead of trying to make every possible player position full of stuff, you can just run across. Exceptions are areas like natural caves and more where it would make sense that paths might not be ideal to move around.

 

[RyanA]

Depends on the person, not the country :3

 

[Lars Ulrika]

There is no difference of skill when I see some ongoing projects here or in the french speaking forums. There are great designers and less good designers that's all.

The only thing I could notice as different would be in the graphic design and music.... (and well, even in that case, most non-japanese custom projects are "anime like"...)

In fact, this Nocturne Rebirth doesn't appeal me at all. It's well done but I've seen much better to be honest, especially graphically. Looks like it's monster bashing all along (according to the video at least) and I must say that I got tired of "long hair hero with stylish poses and anime design".

But well, this last point it's really a personal "anime rpg" overdosis lol.

 

[Volrath]

Star Stealing Prince, as an example from, I believe, the UK, does a better job in this regard.

SSP is all-American and obviously a great example of beautiful visuals in an RM game. Thankfully, it's also fun, which I value more. That's what we ought to judge games from all parts of the world on in the end, rather than perpetuate ridiculous standards that discourage a lot of people who use the program. I know that these days people can't comprehend that a game (like MotW) could be acclaimed for anything other than visuals, but it got awards and such because a lot of people enjoyed playing it.

 

[EternalShadow]

Eastern versus Western, you mean? I'm from the UK

Anyway, I find that Eastern games focus more on the graphics (FF, especially) whilst Western games focus on the gameplay. Sure, this varies with every game but it's a small trend I found.

 

[Ronove]

Don't forget, for every good game you find, there are tons of games that won't meet up to your expectation. Just like in the English community!

 

[Kread-EX]

In fact, this Nocturne Rebirth doesn't appeal me at all. It's well done but I've seen much better to be honest, especially graphically. Looks like it's monster bashing all along (according to the video at least) and I must say that I got tired of "long hair hero with stylish poses and anime design".

Your loss, it's a pretty cool game. It's very combat-oriented, but its main strength is that said combat is actually interesting. Unfortunately, Nocturne is a textbook noob magnet and had its resources stolen and used many times. Which is even more infuriating when you consider how Cogwheel released tons of scripts for free during RMXP days.

 

[Abi]

Eastern versus Western, you mean? I'm from the UK

Anyway, I find that Eastern games focus more on the graphics (FF, especially) whilst Western games focus on the gameplay. Sure, this varies with every game but it's a small trend I found.

For this reason I'd sorta like to see what could happen if an Eastern art team would get together with a Western design team... I think the result could be absolutely incredible.

I have to admit that I do enjoy looking at gorgeous visuals... But in the end... If the gameplay ain't there, the game ain't.

 

[Chrome]

It was ignorant of me to say U.S. I forgot how this community is international.

@Lemony: I like your post and as people we are no different but cultures makes how we think differently. For example why are Korean's better at starcraft, warcraft, etc. Why is Brazil better at soccer?

In the West (at least in the past) we like strong masculine main characters that relies on strength. While in the East it is not the same case. With cars, the west seems to like big engines while the east likes hp per cylinder; and due to different type of mind set, we see different kinds of production from different places. I was just wondering if this was the same case for JP RM games.

-NC

 

[Titanhex]

Actually a good example of a western, albeit French, RM game that compares is Reincarnations, and also Ara Fell and while not original, Super Mario and the Seven Sages. All incredibly well done games by Westerners.

There are large cultural differences between us tho that largely influence RPGs. Playing Crono Trigger these become apparent. However we find them best by studying the culture.

Because of this different games are produced, but not different quality of games. One games art style may simply appeal to you more.

 

[Ocedic]

We're all using the same program, so I don't understand the point of this. No, one group of people are no genetically superior at using RPG Maker. You have the same tools and resources available to you as anyone else in the world. Every region has great programmers, artists and musicians. The game you linked is very impressive; I especially like the battle system. But it's impressive because of the work the individuals put into it, not because of the country or culture the creators are from.

As for JRPGs vs Western RPGs, the real difference is influence. JRPGs evolved from Dragon Warrior more or less and became popular with Final Fantasy, with a focus on linear storylines, epic scopes and anime character designs. Western RPGs were influenced by dungeons and dragons and spawned things like Dragon Age, Skyrim, Fallout, etc. The emphasis is on player choice, character development (in a gameplay sense, not a narrative sense) and often open world environments. Neither is superior to the other and you can do both in RPG Maker depending on your preference. And of course this isn't set in stone; you can find examples of both types of games or hybrid games from all regions.

 

[Gomi Boy]

Super Mario and the Seven Sages

This got finished!? I'd been keeping tabs on it back on .org since it looked rad, but it just completely fell off my radar at some point and I assumed it had never been completed. That's awesome to hear.


As for the rest of you, remember that the bad and forgettable games aren't the ones that'll be crossing the language barrier, except in fringe cases like Ao Oni. Only the projects that are memorable somehow stick around long enough in the public consciousness to make the jump to other audiences.


It really does depend on the person, and I wouldn't personally try to claim that there's really a distinct Eastern or Western style to RPG Maker development -- particularly since we here are often really obsessed with copying Eastern media as closely as we can.

 

[Cartridge]

Well I find a big difference in JP vs EN games is on how people react in real life... RPG games are a way of life in the Eastern part of the world, while here most creative minds would be seen as 'nerds' and 'weirdo's'.