In my opinion, I
prefer JRPG's to Western RPG's, most of the time. There are a number
of reasons, but regarding open-world vs. linear story-telling, my
vote is for JRPG's because I like feeling that the game is moving
forward with purpose. Open-sandbox RPG's can certainly be fun, and
many of them do have incredible stories to tell. I just don't like
wandering around doing side quests, aimlessly exploring, and grinding
to level up without any pressing incentive to do so. JRPG's, on the
other hand, give me a sense of urgency, and essentially force me to
level up through random battles as I move from one area to another
towards the next story objective. I like feeling like I'm making
progress through a story while spending time with the different
characters in my group as we journey together--I prefer solo gaming,
but I don't necessarily like for my game character to be all alone.
To me, JRPG's are more immersive because I feel like the story is
carrying me forward, rather than Western RPG's where I feel a lack of
urgency with the story, as it is left up to me to decide when I want
to get around to pursuing it. The lack of an urgent story may be the
problem itself, because I feel less invested and involved in
something ongoing. Not only does the linear fashion of a JRPG provide
that, but interactions with the other characters in my group also
remind me that we're all on an epic journey seeking to solve a quest
together.
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