The genre should be called "J-Adventures". I can't think of a single example out of all the ones I've played that I'd actually call a RPG.
I know, I was sort of replying to both of you.
So wait... Final Fantasy 7, or the Final Fantasy series... Aren't RPGs? They should be called "J-Adventures"?
What I mean is that they have much more in common with western adventure games than with RPGs. You aren't playing a role, you're just piloting a character or party along a pre-determined path. The path may branch at times, but it almost always folds back into itself before the end. Character development is driven entirely by the person who wrote the plot, not by decisions made by the player. The only real difference is that instead of (occasionally in addition to) puzzles, there's a combat system with inventory and stats.
Well it all kind of blurs and depends on what you are looking at - I will admit... and technically wouldn't ANY game be a Role Playing Game - as your taking the role on of whatever it is you are controlling, interacting with etc.
Faxanadu is/has all of those things except there aren't battle sequences, you just fight shit in real time and not in some arbitrary bubble where nothing else can interrupt you. It's an action RPG.
The defining feature of a "j-adventure" is that the male lead doesn't plow the female lead at any point despite the fact that she wants his cock more then she wants to continue breathing. Also at some point you will need to defeat the ultimate evil with the power of friendship.
So they will be editing some stuff to avoid internet outrage.
