Role-playing games come in many different flavors, shapes, and sizes, but the easiest way to differentiate them is by the region in which they were developed. Japanese role-playing games are often turn-based (though that is clearly changing as studios favor more action-heavy systems), while Western RPGs take on a multitude of different forms.
The genre is constantly evolving. We've seen the rise of MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, third-person shooter RPGs like Mass Effect, and the continued growth and popularity of open-world first-person RPGs like Bethesda's much beloved Fallout series. These all fall under the banner of Western role-playing games, though, we're seeing Japanese game studios adopt a lot of the principals from Western devs. After all, Final Fantasy XIV clearly borrows a lot from Western MMOs and Final Fantasy XV is going in a much more action-heavy direction, rather than the traditional turn-based style the series is known for.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's difficult to really categorize role-playing games these days, but regardless, I tend to lean more toward those that come out of Japan. I enjoy the more traditional turn-based stuff and the anime-esque character designs. But that's just me. What about you? Would you rather explore the expansive world of The Witcher 3 or roam the halls of a Japanese high school in Persona 4? Let us know in the comments and be sure to vote in the poll below.
