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[WolvenOne]

Ever since Indie games have become a, "thing," I've been waiting, hoping, even praying that some brilliant Indie studio would come along, and make the next Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, or even Xenogears.

Every year though, it feels like things come and go without a real peep of anything like this. I mean we have a couple comedic indie JRPG's, like Cthulhu Saves The World, and I've seen a few others that looked to emulate cartoonie JRPG's like Skies of Arcadia. For the most part though, even these are rare, and it feels like we aren't seeing any attempts to emulate or improve upon the sort of JRPG's most people cite as being their favorites.

Am I just overlooking these titles, or are they are as sparse as it seems? If it's the latter, well, why? Why are Indie developers so eager to create platformers, and other genres from their childhood that they loved. but they never seem to touch JRPG's? Were they all just, coincidentally not JRPG fans when they were kids?

Sorry, this might sound like a bit of a rant, but I'm legitimately perplexed about this. I'd have thought we'd have seen, "something," along these lines by now.

 

[mrpeabody]

For commercial games, Child of Light, Crimson Shroud, Zeboyd Games entire output.

On Kickstarter, Project Phoenix and Steel & Steam.

For free, Barkley Gaiden and various RPG Maker titles like Last Scenario.

I think the reason indies gravitate to platformers is because

Spoiler

they're more fun than jrpgs

they require less content creation.

 

[andreyin]

JRPGs and RPGs in general take a lot of time to make, especially when you're by yourself or in a small group (which is the case with most indies).

Check out how many people worked on Chrono Trigger:
http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Chrono_Trigger_Credits.html

I don't think this would be feasible for any indie company, ever.

 

[Catshade]

Let me point you to the RPG Maker games thread.

Amaranth Games and Aldorlea Games are probably two of the most productive indie JRPG developers out there.

 

[batbeg]

I vaguely recall black sigil on the ds being decent but I barely played it to be honest.

 

[astrogamer]

There are a few indie rpgs like
Soul Saga
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/disastercake/soul-saga-a-j-rpg-inspired-by-playstation-classics
Pier Solar HD
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/573261866/pier-solar-hd-an-rpg-for-xbox360-pc-mac-linux-and
Project Phoenix
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1300298569/project-phoenix-japans-indie-rpg-feat-aaa-talent
Cosmic Star Heroine
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1596638143/cosmic-star-heroine-sci-fi-spy-rpg-for-pc-mac-ps4
You are Not the Hero
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/812850535/you-are-not-the-hero?ref=live

but there aren't a lot, mostly because JRPGs are usually done by Japanese and they haven't jumped on the indie scene yet

 

[jabuseika]

I gather that the Japanese indie scene shies away from publicity.

There aren't that many indie games, but they're there.

Recettear an item shop's tale, is probably the most famous game to come out Comiket in recent years, which is the indie videogames mecha.

If you want to see the latest Comiket indie games, just look for Comiket 84 games, there's plenty of them. Will any of them ever get English translations? that's another matter...

 

[plasmawave]

From what I understand, it's the Japanese rating system that's holding back the JP indie scenes.

 

[Sakura]

I've played tons of indie JRPGs. They're almost all 18+ though.

 

[Anival]

For commercial games, Child of Light, Crimson Shroud, Zeboyd Games entire output.

On Kickstarter, Project Phoenix and Steel & Steam.

For free, Barkley Gaiden and various RPG Maker titles like Last Scenario.

I think the reason indies gravitate to platformers is because

Spoiler

they're more fun than jrpgs

they require less content creation.

More people should know about Barkley, for how stupid it is it has a really good plot.

 

[Poetic.Injustice]

JRPG's still need a ton of resources to make, Much cheaper for indies to jump in other genres like 2D platformers.

 

[IdreamofHIME]

I think Zeboyd game have a ton of talent, but I don't like that their out put has all be been parody/comic JRPGs. I would rather have something as epic as FFIV or VI than something that laughs at them.
Cosmic Star Heroine looks amazing and I hope it delivers. It's one of my most anticipated games.

 

[OniBarubary]

Well, judging by the number I've Kickstarted, like...20 in 2014-2015.

Also Black Sigil was a good Chrono Trigger clone until the EXTREMELY LONG SECTION WHERE YOU GET INTO A FIGHT EVERY 4 STEPS AND YOUR CHARACTER HAS STATUS PROBLEMS EVERY FIGHT AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY ENOUGH ITEMS TO MAKE IT THROUGH REALISTICALLY.

...I liked the game, but that shit was BULLSHIT.

 

[MrCunningham]

There have been countless Kickstarter's for JRPG's/ CRPG's/ WhateverRPG's over the last two years. But not many of them have materialized yet. These games just take a lot of time to develop, I suppose.

[EDIT] Whoops... JRPG's only,

Well, judging by the number I've Kickstarted, like...20 in 2014-2015.

yeah that number seems about right. The RPG subgenre I see the most on Kickstarter are the real time and turn based stratagy RPG's. .

 

[ULTROS!]

It will probably be better if there were actual Japanese indie/doujin RPGs, like Recettear.

 

[casiopao]

Where are indie Jrpg? They exist there in Japan. It is only that they never come outside of Japan or they are 18+ doujin games.

 

[Feep]

JRPGs and RPGs in general take a lot of time to make, especially when you're by yourself or in a small group (which is the case with most indies).

Check out how many people worked on Chrono Trigger:
http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Chrono_Trigger_Credits.html

I don't think this would be feasible for any indie company, ever.

This. The beloved jRPGs of yesteryear had teams of literally hundreds working on them. Heck, even what Zeboyd Games does is amazing to me.

 

[Lain]

I'll say this, to me a JRPG is a Japanese RPG. A Japanese RPG to me is a RPG made by Japanese softwarehouses/circles/groups.
So where are the indie JRPG? They are in Japan.

 

[Parakeetman]

Originally you could have considered Team Muramasa stuff "indie".

But for the most part, there isnt that many indie JRPGs in general. As others stated takes a lot of time and effort. There are some existing and such, but for the most part they are nothing like what people would expect. A lot of times limited in number too.

In general Japanese indie stuff tends to be geared more towards action / visual novel / puzzle type of deals. Though its not saying that JRPGs dont exist, just as stated again its not that common.

 

[MrCunningham]

It will probably be better if there were actual Japanese indie/doujin RPGs, like Recettear.

While there are some exceptions, I never really liked that fake anime aesthetic look that some Westren RPG's try and use.

 

[Ouren]

https://www.google.com/search?q=car...j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8

 

[casiopao]

I'll say this, to me a JRPG is a Japanese RPG. A Japanese RPG to me is a RPG made by Japanese softwarehouses/circles/groups.
So where are the indie JRPG? They are in Japan.

This is what I always feel too here. I have always find especially on kickstarter or indie scene here where developers really love to throw around the word Jrpg like it is a special genre.

Which in fact Jrpg simply means all type of rpg coming out from Japan.

 

[Feep]

This is what I always feel too here. I have always find especially on kickstarter or indie scene here where developers really love to throw around the word Jrpg like it is a special genre.

Which in fact Jrpg simply means all type of rpg coming out from Japan.

Obviously the title refers to a specific style of RPG made popular by Japanese companies in the nineties. You might as well start the classic nitpick of "well, you roleplay in other games, too!"

 

[Parakeetman]

This is what I always feel too here. I have always find especially on kickstarter or indie scene here where developers really love to throw around the word Jrpg like it is a special genre.

Which in fact Jrpg simply means all type of rpg coming out from Japan.

Bingo we have a winner here.

Inspired by JRPGs is fine, but when its a Western developed game trying to call itself a JRPG thats yeah no.

 

[Arthea]

Many that I heard of are still in the making.
If you don't have yet, check Recettear, it's great.

 

[FaceDa]

Barkley shut up and JAM: GAIDEN is the greatest JRPG indie or otherwise

 

[Durante]

Let's not have the whole JRPG genre discussion again. Making a genre name attached to an artifact of its production process (i.e. where it was made) instead of qualities inherent to the game is silly.

 

[Parakeetman]

Let's not have the whole JRPG genre discussion again. Making a genre name attached to an artifact of its production process (i.e. where it was made) instead of qualities inherent to the game is silly.

I say it needs to be said though esp these days with how much its being thrown all over the place to try to pander to folks.

Its along the same lines as those people who go "DARK SOULS EVERYTHING" am sure you know what I mean.

Barkley shut up and JAM: GAIDEN is the greatest JRPG indie or otherwise

Isnt a second one in the making?

Yep found the devs HP!

http://www.talesofgames.com/

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

in Japan

 

[casiopao]

Obviously the title refers to a specific style of RPG made popular by Japanese companies in the nineties. You might as well start the classic nitpick of "well, you roleplay in other games, too!"

But this is not even nitpicking. The developers uses Jrpg as marketting tools here even when the game is never going to be Jrpg. The best example would be Child of Light. It is not made in Japan so it should be Wrpg not Jrpg here. It is just that simple. Call it turn based rpg would even be better here.

Bingo we have a winner here.

Inspired by JRPGs is fine, but when its a Western developed game trying to call itself a JRPG thats yeah no.

Yup. This is also one of my main gripe here. Jrpg meaning have been twisted again and again which now, many people had their own idea on what Jrpg is.

I have seen people who said Srpg is not Jrpg. Like Devil Survivor and FFT is not Jrpg. I am literally blown away by that view. There are even some people who consider Jrpg to simply be turn based rpg which is sad as it limit Jrpg into such small genre.

 

[Arthea]

Bingo we have a winner here.

Inspired by JRPGs is fine, but when its a Western developed game trying to call itself a JRPG thats yeah no.

Can we drop this already? Everyone interested understands meaning of this term, those who don't, likely aren't interested, no?

 

[FaceDa]

Isnt a second one in the making?

Yep found the devs HP!

http://www.talesofgames.com/

Yes but since they're selling this one there's gonna be a lot less in the way of ripping off Genesis sprites and making a story with them.

 

[Parakeetman]

Yes but since they're selling this one there's gonna be a lot less in the way of ripping off Genesis sprites and making a story with them.

Do hope it turns out well though, since for that exact reason of them having to do up a lot of the resources themselves now should make for an interesting evolution. Or at least thats what Im hoping for.

 

[Canis lupus]

"Where are the 3D indie rpg/platformer games?" Tired of seeing pixel games.

 

[tensuke]

http://rpgmaker.net yo

 

[Arthea]

"Where are the 3D indie rpg/platformer games?" Tired of seeing pixel games.

That might a bit too much work for indie developers, and probably too expensive.

 

[Evilisk]

Let me point you to the RPG Maker games thread.

Amaranth Games and Aldorlea Games are probably two of the most productive indie JRPG developers out there.

http://rpgmaker.net yo

Pretty much this

 

[Quackula]

Pier Solar is one of the biggest ones I can think of, yet it hasn't been mentioned yet for some reason.

It was made as Sega Genesis homebrew, but it's getting ported to a bunch of other stuff now.

 

[Earthpainting]

UnderTale should qualify for this. It's still in development, but a demo has been released and it made it my most anticipated RPG in years. If you like Mother-esque games you should definitely check it out.

 

[killatopak]

I've played tons of indie JRPGs. They're almost all 18+ though.

 

[Otakumegane]

Well to start with indie in Japan isn't that big, so not many people make indie games and especially not indie JPRGs

Those things take a lot of time and writing. Making a 2D platformer seems easier. (Though I wonder if there are people than can make good 3D indie platformers)

 

[Parakeetman]

Well to start with indie in Japan isn't that big, so not many people make indie games and especially not indie JPRGs

Those things take a lot of time and writing. Making a 2D platformer seems easier. (Though I wonder if there are people than can make good 3D indie platformers)

There are some out there, but a lot of these are more titles people made for their hobbies over actually trying to do for profit.

One famous example is Zun the guy behind the Touhou games. He works at a large company as is didnt give out a name, but he said that basically if you want to make money dont do it by making indie games. Its great to learn / test ones skills, but getting a real job in the industry is how you make a living. And this is coming from one of the more famous indie developers here in Japan.

That was said during a live conference he had out here in Tokyo which I attended years ago.

Heres a good thread here on GAF showing off some of the Japanese developed indie games in the doujin thread started by Ponpo. This guy am sure would be more connected to the scene than I am. Since have not bought any of the newer stuff in ages now that its not connected to work anymore. Let alone bother to go to things like comiket and such.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485447

 

[UltraGunner]

Would it be crass of me to recommend Alicesoft titles?

 

[Poetic.Injustice]

"Where are the 3D indie rpg/platformer games?" Tired of seeing pixel games.

Moving to 3D is a whole different ball game.

 

[UltraGunner]

There are some out there, but a lot of these are more titles people made for their hobbies over actually trying to do for profit.

One famous example is Zun the guy behind the Touhou games. He works at a large company as is didnt give out a name, but he said that basically if you want to make money dont do it by making indie games. Its great to learn / test ones skills, but getting a real job in the industry is how you make a living. And this is coming from one of the more famous indie developers here in Japan.

That was said during a live conference he had out here in Tokyo which I attended years ago.

Heres a good thread here on GAF showing off some of the Japanese developed indie games in the doujin thread started by Ponpo. This guy am sure would be more connected to the scene than I am. Since have not bought any of the newer stuff in ages now that its not connected to work anymore. Let alone bother to go to things like comiket and such.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485447

Do you have any idea if ZUN makes any royalties off of the metric fuckton of touhou merch out there, or is it basically free game for anyone to make money off of Alice Margatroid dakimakura?

 

[Parakeetman]

"Where are the 3D indie rpg/platformer games?" Tired of seeing pixel games.

Hell we have full blown developer studios who cant get games that use 3d models correctly... Let alone a physics engine.

Do you have any idea if ZUN makes any royalties off of the Metric fuckton of touhou merch out their, or is it basically free game for anyone to make money off of Alice Margatroid dakimakura?

You know unfortunately during the conference Q&A session all of the "fans" were asking more (what I consider) stupid "otaku" questions in regards to the series (clothing, breast size, panty color etc) more than ones about development and business side of things. Which was clearly pissing off Zun from his tone and body language. In his presentation he did not go into details about that and unfortunately nor did anyone ask any useful questions that brought out interesting topics. I was there as an observer which is why did not take part in the Q&A myself. Hilarious little fact though is the dude is an alcoholic and he joked about it several times himself. Even was drinking beers during the presentation saying that he wouldnt be able to do this without them (the beers) lol

*Have nothing against otakus am a gaming / manga one myself, but Jesus Christ at the folks asking the most inane dumb shit, when the guy takes time from his own busy work schedule to do a live conference like this in order to help people understand game development and the indie scene better. Not have a Q&A on Touhou and the bust size / clothing types of his characters. /rant off

Its a good question though, since I think there is a similar situation with the Ryukishi07 guy who created the Higurashi and Umineko series and his characters and the various spinoff titles out there. Though I could have remembered my friend who was more well versed in the doujin scene, said that he in particular didnt collect royalties as long as people asked for his permission first or something.

 

[Warren Ellis]

there many many indie jrpg made in japan with rpg maker. Very few are available in english unfortunately

Demon king chronicle is awesome, play it, it's free. Very rough graphics, but good gameplay and great story

http://www.playism-games.com/games/demonkingchronicle/

thanks to playism we will be able to play at least some of them, they said that they are currently translating One way heroics, helen mysterious castle and artifact adventure

i hope that they will translate other rpgs too, princess shade (a mix between a bullet shooter and an action rpg) looks very interesting

 

[Raonak]

Im making a couple of indie RPGs that im working on.

One is a Pokemon fangame, that basically fuses Pokemon and Final Fantasy.
called "Super Pokemon Eevee Edition"
Takes place in the second pokemon generation, and includes an eevee which can freely switch between evolutions.
made with RPG maker


Problem with RPGs are that they tend to take a lot of time to make. they're more content orientated than other grenres.

 

[Sentenza]

I say it needs to be said

No, it doesn't, especially because what you are claiming is the very exact opposite of truth.
JRPGs at this point aren't defined *strictly* by being made in Japan, that's just vestigial because Japan is the country that popularized that formula.

But it's an old, tired, almost pointless argument at this point, so whatever... Feel free to set arbitrary rules about what's what. Apparently that's what everyone does.

 

[WolvenOne]

There are a few indie rpgs like
Soul Saga
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/disastercake/soul-saga-a-j-rpg-inspired-by-playstation-classics
Pier Solar HD
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/573261866/pier-solar-hd-an-rpg-for-xbox360-pc-mac-linux-and
Project Phoenix
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1300298569/project-phoenix-japans-indie-rpg-feat-aaa-talent
Cosmic Star Heroine
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1596638143/cosmic-star-heroine-sci-fi-spy-rpg-for-pc-mac-ps4
You are Not the Hero
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/812850535/you-are-not-the-hero?ref=live

but there aren't a lot, mostly because JRPGs are usually done by Japanese and they haven't jumped on the indie scene yet

Thanks for the list. And, yeah, I know old JRPG's took a lot of resources. I just kinda figured that, newer development tools would offset some of that. Perhaps that's an unrealistic expectation on my part.