j/w rpg isnt a genre. Its a false location designator

5 or 6 things on that list I have seen in many many many western games too.

So basically those terms mean nothing

@brightfalls

Actually that sounds like something right out of portal, but you get my point

Optional areas and events that I could only find through exploring on my own terms, that's what I love in RPGs.

How about applying and improve the battle system of Final Fantasy Type-0 ???

I think this suit with our hopes than rating point.

A perfect RPG needs open world exploration, a fun and intuitive battle system, level grinding, hidden events, tons of weapons, armour and magic and enough hidden content to keep us coming back for more!

Oh and interesting characters and awesome boss fight are a must!.

story
immersion
char development
and exploration

that is all you need to make a great rpg

Sorry double post =/

Though I like anime-like art (though not too moe), ah who cares I'll still love it haha (and we're talking about Japanese games too haha)
Maybe the art for most jrpgs are too shounen and full of bishounenes and bishoujos? I am tired of some artists, but anything mainstream will be kept in demand and that artist may have to keep doing what he/she does... I love it when a mangaka (or at least an artist who doesn't just draw for video games) does the art for a game.
Also I think it's good to have variety, not every jrpg should be rated T, with M rated games you can explore into maturer or darker story lines and removing any limit you would have with a T rating. Though somehow exploring mature themes and getting below a rated M is a pretty good accomplishment (I forget which games do that though)
Oh, though I don't like being surprised with a Guide Dang it, but it's basically impossible especially for any RPG lol

I like anime but HATE anime styled art in JRPGs.

im tired of the ’Save the World before its too late’ storyline

I think that Deus Ex HR has proven to be the next gen in action rpg genre its so diffrent it has metal gear solid la noireish vibe going on but in its own unique way luv where this is heading...

things they need to remove : Turn-based system, the little annoying animals(especially the one in 13-2 its f**ing annoying...), cheesy dialogues, stupid themese( the future or the knight/glory/armor/my lord/code geass-ish bullsh*t)

what about puzzle solving without that all a rpg is, is walking around slashing a sword ect like 99% of rpg's out there.

God, what a bad article. It's like it was written by someone who hates creativity. Why would you WANT anime cliche's in a story, or avoid dark themes to reach a larger audience?

And why is "cute creatures and superb battle system" one entry?

Better list:

-Originality: If you played Shadow Hearts: from the new world, you might not remember the tightly-paced battle system and intricate role-playing mechanics, but you definitely remember the talking cat that broke Al Capone out of prison using her mastery of the drunken fist. Sometimes all you need is a story that gets people talking.

-Likable, believable, mature characters: You're welcome to tell a story of love and hope conquering all, but if a main character seems like they might actually say that phrase out loud, you have screwed up. big. Even Kingdom Hearts is better than that. On the other side of the coin, don't be a Leonard. If you find a magic glove that turns you into a medieval power ranger and your only reaction is to mope, you can't be human.

- Plenty of extras, but a main campaign that won't eat your life: This is pretty self-explanatory. If it takes more than 50 hours to reach the ending, without doing side crap, that's just overkill. Also, that side crap should have an actual reward beyond more XP.

- If all else fails, a kickass battle system can redeem any game: Star Ocean: Till the End of Time has a terribly paced plot, annoying characters, and cutscenes that take up half of the play time. But dammit, this battle system is enough to keep anyone playing.

- A good soundtrack: trust me, dungeon crawling is a thousand times better when every random encounter is an opportunity to rock the hell out

1. Not having an androgynous, gender confused emo teenager with a pathetic, melodramatic sob story as the protagonist.

I've tried to like JRPGs, I really have - on PS2, 360 and PS3 - but the characters, dialogue and story are virtually always nausea inducing and just so plain... foreign.
Shame, because I usually really enjoy the turn based combat systems in JRPGs.

i just clicked this article because of the picture Tifa in it.