Why is GAF ignoring possibly the best JRPG of the generation?

[Tiktaalik]

Yup it's Mario and Luigi: Inside Bowser Story.

Despite receiving universal acclaim (Metacritic: 92) and lots of good press, this game's thread has been struggling to stay on the front page and currently only rests at about 7 pages. Considering the quality of the game I'm finding it peculiar and I wonder why GAF is collectively sleeping on the title. Even the usual JRPG fans that post in these sort of threads are absent. Perhaps they played it in Japanese?

Another idea is that maybe GAF got burned by the love it or hate it Super Paper Mario, which was enthusiastically hyped (32 pages) but which many considered to be not actually all that good.

Is it the Mario subject matter? Sure it's lighthearted, but it still has some of the best dialogue that I've seen so far this gen. Is it "hardcore enough?" I'd say it is. Even though it has the veneer of a kiddie RPG, it's actually secretly pretty challenging as well. You're not going to find yourself grinding of course, but like all Mario and Luigi games, if you stop paying attention and miss a few defending moves, you'll quickly find yourself in a dire situation.

Looking at metacritic scores for other JRPGs this gen it seems to me that this is actually probably the best released so far. The average scores for Star Ocean, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey and Eternal Sonata for example are far below that of Mario and Luigi 3.

There have been lots of great RPGs this gen but many have been of the SRPG or western styled hardcore dungeon crawler variety, which I know many average gaffers would stay away from. Mario and Luigi 3 is by far the closest to the classic, accessible 16 bit JRPG that we've seen yet this gen.

Perhaps the answer really is that the JRPG is dead or dying?

Come on get your act together GAF!

 

[Peronthious]

It's not even out until this week, and most of the hype was covered in the J thread. I won't pick it up now, but probably eventually.

Edit: and that's what I get for checking amazon for release dates.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Do we really need to encourage more hype for a game on a messageboard full of hype.

 

[Aaron Strife]

Do we really need to encourage more hype for a game on a messageboard full of hype.

We need to encourage more hype for good games, not stupid derivative games that people won't even remember in two months.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

I thought this would be about crystal bearers. D:

I'd buy M&L:BIS if I had money right now.

 

[Dr.Hadji]

Too much time devoted to finishing up making a game (and work, and school). I plan on buying this, Scribblenaughts, and Layton 2 in about a months time.

 

[Drkirby]

1) Its a DS game, and Scribblenauts just came out, so that has peoples eyes at the moment.
2) Unless the game really ramps up the quality, I still say ToV is better.

I ended up buying the game at bestbuy to get the winter hat I will never use, hope it doesn't take to long to get here. 4-8 weeks most likely though.

 

[Segata Sanshiro]

Can't speak for the rest of GAF, but I'm ignoring it because I hated the first two.

I love Bowser, so it's kind of sad, but I haven't run into anyone yet whose word I trust that's willing to tell me I could hate the first two and like this one.

 

[Odrion]

Oh wow, a thread title with hyperbole I can agree with.

 

[AKingNamedPaul]

I haven't played the Mario & Luigi games, but would they really be considered jrpg? what about them makes them traditionally Japanese in style?

 

[Stoney Mason]

We need to encourage more hype for good games, not stupid derivative games that people won't even remember in two months.

People are interested in what they are interested in. Outside of an official thread for a game, I'm not sure much more needs to be done.

 

[Tiktaalik]

Do we really need to encourage more hype for a game on a messageboard full of hype.

I hype what you're saying, but I'm not sure I hype with you.

 

[MoxManiac]

I want this badly but i'm broke right now, so broke I can't even justify a $30 DS game.

 

[bistromathics]

my DS is a dedicated EBA machine.

also, what stoney mason said.

 

[cooljeanius]

1) Its a DS game, and Scribblenauts just came out, so that has peoples eyes at the moment.

Pretty much this. The September NPD thread will be interesting.

 

[grandjedi6]

Oh no, the M&L 3 thread isn't filled with meaningless fluff and stupidity. What a tragedy!

But really, that's pretty typical of most DS game threads. And not just because its a handheld game, but because its devoid of the normal console warz that ignites threads or the rampant talk that new IPs get. But that doesn't mean people aren't, or will not, play the game.

 

[SecretBonusPoint]

I hated this series. Best jRPG this generation? Jesus, not even in the top 20.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Oh no, the M&L 3 thread isn't filled with meaningless fluff and stupidity. What a tragedy!

But really, that's pretty typical of most DS game threads. And not just because its a handheld game, but because its devoid of the normal console warz that ignites threads or the rampant talk that new IPs get. But that doesn't mean people aren't, or will not, play the game.

This.


It's rare that DS games get put on the hype bandwagon here on GAF for some very specific reasons (outside of scribblenauts) and thankfully so.

 

[eznark]

What's wrong with the official thread? And yeah, game is great.

 

[TheSeks]

I haven't played the Mario & Luigi games, but would they really be considered jrpg? what about them makes them traditionally Japanese in style?

M&L 1-2 aren't JRPGs, this (3) follows Super Paper Mario/Super Mario RPG in terms of JRPG style.

Of course, I have no interest in the game which is why I'm not "hyped" for it on GAF.

 

[HK-47]

M&L 1-2 aren't JRPGs, this (3) follows Super Paper Mario/Super Mario RPG in terms of JRPG style.

Of course, I have no interest in the game which is why I'm not "hyped" for it on GAF.

Ummm come again?

 

[xfactor]

I'll get this down the road because I am busy with Scribblenauts and Layton 2 at the moment
(just got done with Dragon Quest 5 and FF Crystal Chronicles Echoes of Time...and I haven't even start on getting Black Sigil, Knights in the Nightmare & Devil Survivor).

And Kingdom Heart DS is just a couple of weeks away....

 

[soldat7]

I'm going to go through Superstar Saga first and maybe PiT prior to tackling this one.

 

[Tamanon]

Well, the new version of the generation's best RPG hasn't been announced as being localized yet.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=330376&highlight=vesperia

When there's discussion on it, it'll happen in the official thread, like every other game.

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

Define "this generation."

People wise? Or game machine wise?

People wise...makes no sense.

Game machine wise...have there been any good JRPG's out on the DS that were re-issues? because if we are counting the re-issues on the DS, I still don't think it beats Chrono Trigger.

 

[Zophar]

My guess is nobody's playing it because nobody's been able to pirate it.

 

[andymcc]

i bought this game for my girlfriend and she can't stop playing it... i've just recently started playing the first M & L and i really love it, it is one of the more involving rpg battle engines and the story is pretty funny. i really prefer what i've played of m & l to pretty much any other mario rpg i've played. from what i've seen her play of this... i really can't wait to start it.

 

[drakesfortune]

I'm going to buy this for my son for Christmas. 2 birds, 1 stone. So I'm not interested in it now, but I do want to play it, and I know I'll love it.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

M&L 1-2 aren't JRPGs

Are they RPGs

Are they made in Japan

 

[Magnus]

This doesn't resemble a JRPG in the slightest, regardless of its origins. I wouldn't label it as such.

It's a phenomenal game though. Haven't been this pumped about a Mario game since Galaxy, and probably Mario 64 prior to it.

 

[Regulus Tera]

GAF's attention at the moment is focused on Scribblenauts. Thank God I can multitask.

 

[Regulus Tera]

This doesn't resemble a JRPG in the slightest, regardless of its origins. I wouldn't label it as such.

Battles are turn-based, you explore dungeons, you buy gear with money, you fight bosses, your growth as a character is statistic-driven.

What the fuck about it doesn't resemble a JRPG in the slightest?

 

[andymcc]

This doesn't resemble a JRPG in the slightest, regardless of its origins. I wouldn't label it as such.

really? REALLY?

 

[HK-47]

This doesn't resemble a JRPG in the slightest, regardless of its origins. I wouldn't label it as such.

It's a phenomenal game though. Haven't been this pumped about a Mario game since Galaxy, and probably Mario 64 prior to it.

Yeah, yeah it does, since to be a JRPG it just has to come from Japan. It may be unlike whatever preconceived notion you had of JRPGs, but that doesnt change where it came from.

 

[Llyranor]

But Mario is Italian!

 

[Magnus]

Battles are turn-based, you explore dungeons, you buy gear with money, you fight bosses, your growth as a character is statistic-driven.

What the fuck about it doesn't resemble a JRPG in the slightest?

All of that can be attributed to the larger RPG genre in general. When you say JRPG, you invoke theme, style, story and several other categories where M&L doesn't really jive with the FFs, Tales games, and so on.

I don't really know how I'd classify M&L further than RPG though; but to specifically call it one throws it into the ranks with aforementioned Japanese game series, which I don't believe is a solid comparison for a sub-genre.

Sorry, I'll preface everything I'm saying with "in my opinion". The OP's argument seemed to imply JRPG fans were ignoring a fundamental contender for JRPG of the year, and in my mind, this game doesn't appeal to what a JRPG player typically plays JRPGs for. There's too much that's aesthetically and stylistically different in M&L from a typical JRPG.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

The internet is pretty incredible at making words mean things other than what they're supposed to mean.

 

[Tiktaalik]

What's wrong with the official thread? And yeah, game is great.

Well the official thread would be about discussing playing Mario and Luigi 3.

This thread is about answering the question why when presented with a universally acclaimed JRPG, GAF seems to be sleeping on the title and not playing it.

Is it because it's a DS game, JRPGs are dead, Mario is too kiddie, other?

 

[HK-47]

But Mario is Italian!

Can a Japanese game company and an Italian plumber truly find love?

 

[BorkBork]

I'm quite disappointed at the size of the Professor Layton thread too.

 

[SovanJedi]

Arrgh, stop getting to me! I haven't even finished The Dark Spire yet, goddamnit!

Stop making me feel inadequate, I will play your stupid game and I'll like your stupid game so go stupid away, stupid.

 

[Regulus Tera]

But Mario is Italian!

No, he's from Brooklyn.

At least until he was retconned to be from the Mushroom Kingdom.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

All of that can be attributed to the larger RPG genre in general. When you say JRPG, you invoke theme, style, story and several other categories where M&L doesn't really jive with the FFs, Tales games, and so on.

I don't really know how I'd classify M&L further than RPG though; but to specifically call it one throws it into the ranks with aforementioned Japanese game series, which I don't believe is a solid comparison for a sub-genre.

Question

You agree JRPG is an acronym, right? Can you tell me what words the individual letters correspond to?

 

[Llyranor]

It's-a me, Mario!

Okie-dokie!

Lucky!

Just what I needed!

Industry needs more IRPGs.

 

[Hobbun]

But Mario is Italian!

He is? I didn’t know Italy existed in the Mushroom Kingdom.



Edit: Damn, way too slow.

 

[HK-47]

No, he's from Brooklyn.

At least until he was retconned to be from the Mushroom Kingdom.

We need more BRPGs.

 

[Regulus Tera]

All of that can be attributed to the larger RPG genre in general. When you say JRPG, you invoke theme, style, story and several other categories where M&L doesn't really jive with the FFs, Tales games, and so on.

I don't really know how I'd classify M&L further than RPG though; but to specifically call it one throws it into the ranks with aforementioned Japanese game series, which I don't believe is a solid comparison for a sub-genre.

Uh.

I'm stumped here. So the subject matter is why it doesn't count? Really?

I hope you are not one of those guys who believe Pokémon isn't a JRPG.

 

[Magnus]

Question

You agree JRPG is an acronym, right? Can you tell me what words the individual letters correspond to?

You're one of those take everything literally types?

Japanese Role Playing Game.

There's far more to the term than "an RPG that comes from Japan".

 

[Nachkebia]

My goty hands down, absolutely amazing game.....

 

[TheRagnCajun]

The cover art sucks ass.