Well, for example a linear narrative structure or a lack of conversation trees. The fixed character/enemy positions in combat.
Also, I believe there have been more sidescrolling JRPGs than sidescrolling WRPGs, so even the perspective points more to that sub-genre.
But does CoL really have this "recipe"? Art and tone-wise the game is clearly inspired by european-style fairy tales, and a side-scrolling, turn-based RPG is not something that occurs often on either side of the planet (like, the only examples I can think up are the first two Valkyrie Profile games and The Stick of Truth, the latter of which isn't even released yet). At face face value this game doesn't really seem to have anything significantly "J"-like in its presentation at all.
Ubisoft is really having a great balance of AAA and smaller games right now. can't be mad at that. 2014 gonna be good
Are they aiming at a $60 price? Or can we expect maybe $30?
How people can dislike the art direction in this is beyond me.
watch the trailer?My god, those screenshots. Glorious art. Also, Grandia-like battle system? This sounds like a dream to me.
That's what got me, really.Noticing the Grandia-like action bar at the bottom lifted my interest a bit.
Yeah everyone should be a clone of me and share the same opinion.
What makes it a JRPG? The fact it's not made in Japan or the fact it doesn't look like a JRPG?
The game looks amazing, but is it really just the ATB bar that's anchoring this thing to the JRPG moniker?
Noticing the Grandia-like action bar at the bottom lifted my interest a bit.
watch the trailer?
YouTube's messed up on my PC and all I see is a bunch of blurry pixels. Needed to take a look at the screens to realize what a beauty this game really is.
I'm going to open a can of worms with this, but the industry (and us gamers) tend to apply "JRPG" incorrectly. JRPG is an industry coined term that was used to describe RPGs coming from Japan that has a strong emphasis on narrative with a lighter focus on mechanics. It's a misnomer that arose since we needed something to separate our hardcore PCRPGs based on D&D (what we call WRPGs) from the console style light RPGs coming from Japan (JRPGs). In fact, the "correct term" for JRPG IS "Light" or "Console Style" RPGs - RPGs that are far more focused on narrative with streamlined mechanics. That line has been blurred a lot in the last few years as both mechanics and narrative have been getting an equal focus. I don't mind people using the JRPG term, but I don't like it when people use it incorrectly.
If you're interested in knowing more about this history, I suggest two different video series on the subject:
The Real History of JRPGs/console style/Light RPG (Parts 1 and 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDTjJTfJgwM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN5-tKv6a3w
Rise of the RPG - A History
http://clanofthegraywolf.com/30/
I prefer Roo's (16 Bit Gems) videos more, but RPG Fanatic's videos are a little shorter and more to the point.
So what makes Child of Light a "JRPG"? Simple. It has simple, streamlined mechanics similar to past JRPGs, and it seems like it has a heavier focus on its storyline and narrative. That's basically all you need to be a Light RPG. On the flip side, take Skyrim. Yes, it has a story and narrative, but it's not the focus. The focus is on the mechanics and exploration (which are on the lighter side in Light RPGs). It's a series that was founded on PCRPG mechanics (i.e. D&D and similar mechanics), and even though The Elder Scrolls is now popular on consoles, it's very much still heavily into the PCRPG (or WRPG if you prefer).
Edit:
Oh and Child of Light looks AMAZING!
Not really feeling it, personally. Need to see more battle gameplay and such.
Absolutely beautiful art and a non-sexualized female main character? Count me in.