Things From Old JRPGs That Don’t Happen Anymore

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Things From Old JRPGs That Don't Happen Anymore

Key Takeaways

  • Traditional JRPG tropes like turn-based combat and world maps are fading in favor of more action-focused systems.
  • Old JRPGs featured multi-disc games, a concept that has mostly disappeared in modern times.
  • Pre-rendered backgrounds, synthesized music, and defeating god were iconic elements of old JRPGs that have waned in popularity.

As someone who grew up with a dusty SNES controller in one hand and a stack of JRPG discs in the other, I can wholeheartedly say that the golden age of Japanese role-playing games was truly unparalleled. The limitations of hardware back then forced developers to be creative, resulting in some of the most memorable experiences in gaming history.

In other words, if any type of game thrives on its recurring themes, it’s the Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG), a genre that has captivated gamers for many years since its inception in the 1980s with titles like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. Over time, these classic gaming styles have created an enduring legacy. However, as the years pass, some of the key features that made iconic JRPGs so memorable have begun to diminish.

In contrast to the past, the typical themes that were prevalent in many JRPGs during the 80s and 90s, such as a band of spirited companions fighting a deity or games spread across multiple discs, are less common nowadays. Even the classic turn-based combat systems, which were central to 1990s JRPGs, have given way to more action-oriented gameplay, like that found in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. However, it’s essential to discuss these outdated aspects of JRPGs from yesteryears since they laid the groundwork for what has evolved into this captivating genre of video games.

5 Unique Turn-Based Combat Systems

Inventive Turn-Based Combat Systems Were The Highlight Of Old JRPGs

In classic Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), turn-based battles are commonplace, but some exceptional ones offer distinctive methods for combat. One such system is the Active-Time Battle (ATB) system, created by Hiroyuki Ito and debuted in “Final Fantasy 4”. This system played a crucial role in shaping the battle mechanics of future Final Fantasy games, introducing elements like linking turns to a countdown timer that have become staples.

Simultaneously, games such as Shadow Hearts: Covenant introduced the Judgment Ring system, where a mystical ring demanded player interaction to boost damage. Innovative methods were also implemented in games like Parasite Eve and Vagrant Story, blending real-time movement with turn-based inputs. Today, many JRPGs employ action combat, as the older battle systems featuring these mechanics have largely faded into obscurity.

4 Multi-Disc Games

Old JRPGs Used To Require Multiple Discs

In today’s digital age, it’s hard to recall when games used to come on multiple discs because most modern games no longer do. Exceptional examples like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 are few and far between. This is a change from the early days of JRPGs, where the content was so vast that fitting it all onto the limited storage capacity of PS1 and Saturn discs was a tough task.

Back in the day, as a dedicated fan, I fondly remember the PS1 era when games like Final Fantasy were spread across multiple discs. However, one game that really stood out was Koudelka, which demanded a whopping four discs! Even titles such as Xenogears, Parasite Eve, and Grandia needed two each. Nowadays, due to advancements in storage space and hardware, most JRPGs don’t require more than one disc, and it’s rare to find a game that brands itself as an epic journey spanning multiple CDs, like the good old days.

3 Synthesized Orchestra Music

Charming Synthesized Music Is A Thing Of The Past

Back in the day, when I was gaming, the magic of those classic JRPGs often boiled down to the limitations of the hardware. Developers like Square and Enix had to work wonders with what they were given. As for the music, composers were bound by the sound capabilities of the machine’s chip, creating synthesized tunes instead of using a real orchestra. It resulted in some absolutely incredible soundtracks, such as the one from Chrono Trigger.

Today, many JRPGs (Japanese Role Playing Games) receive an opulent treatment, with a large 100-piece orchestra and top-notch sound quality. However, in the early days of these games, composers had to work with samples, which led to more melodious and expressive music that often accompanied the numerous text-heavy scenes. This is how talented composers like Nobuo Uematsu and Yoko Shimomura were able to create such remarkable music despite their limited technological resources.

2 A 3D World Map

Massive World Maps Defined Old-School JRPGs

Stepping beyond Midgar’s limits and venturing into the vast landscape of Gaia in Final Fantasy 7 was undeniably one of gaming’s most awe-inspiring experiences. Similarly, any older JRPG with a rich 3D world map, once a frequent aspect of games but now less common, could evoke the same sense of wonder.

It tied brilliantly into the progression of many of the genre’s greatest JRPGs, as players would go from walking, to driving, to sailing and all the way to an airship. It was the ultimate sign of evolution, that you had seen an entire planet, and the 3D world maps really sold that illusion. But as the genre started to grow, world maps started to disappear and make way for a more streamlined approach, and this beloved JRPG trope was phased out.

1 Pre-Rendered Backgrounds

Beautiful Worlds Made Possible By Hardware Limitations

As impressive as the fifth-generation of video game consoles were, they were still limited by what the technology could offer and developers had to find fancy tricks in order to display massive worlds within a tight hardware budget. This gave way to the pre-rendered background, the practice of creating a beautiful, lush landscape and adding collision for a 3D polygonal character to walk on. It worked so well that it wasn’t just JRPGs doing it, as survival horror games like Resident Evil would also make use of the technique.

In my gaming journey, as hardware advancements accelerated and technology boomed, the era of pre-rendered backgrounds began to dwindle. With each passing day, more Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) switched to 3D worlds, effectively burying the once vibrant presence of pre-rendered backgrounds. Despite this, the nostalgic charm of these old-school backdrops continues to linger in the memories of gamers who grew up with them. However, it seems that a resurgence of pre-rendered backgrounds in mainstream JRPGs is unlikely for now, with only remasters of classic titles keeping their legacy alive.

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2024-10-27 12:04