See screens of Microsoft's JRPG lineup

Truth...any variation on this one, like real-action turn based combat a la KOTOR would be appreciated.

In fact I wouldn't mind if more western RPG's used this combat system.Shootouts in Mass Effect sucked.Period.

I actually like turn base, What I don't like about JRPGS, or console rpgs mostly is the laziness. Only being able to use 3 characters out of the one hojillion in your party. Getting various armor and weapon upgrades only not to see them in the game. That kind of stuff annoys me. Other than that, I don't mind Turn based at all.

Yep...that bugs me too.In most Western RPG's, the characters are a lot deeper than their JRPG's counterparts.However since it's a lot "less linear" you need to spend hours with the same characters to learn more about them and you end up neglecting your other party members.

For example: In KOTOR 2 I focused on Handmaiden and Kreia/Bao-Dur so I never focused much about other characters.In fact I never learned anything about Atton nor did I realize that Canderous = Mandalore.

My issue with JRPGS is the fact that they are more like a bloody fashion show then a game, who does the coolest flips, who has the coolest hair, who says the coolest shit, who has the most innovative and exciting clothing, who has the biggest / longest sword to make up for the tiny winkie (oh dear, did I say that?)

They need to concentrate on gameplay more then cool over the top Devil May cry copying cgi scenes where people dodge bullets (FF ¬_¬) or moan about the bloody princess needing to be saved, or the brotherhood letting them down, or the lost dragons of la moe attacking the tiny village of jazanbaad....ya know, the last couple I mentioned didn't sound to bad :O They actually sounded ORIGINAL.

Just fed up of my characters either looking cool or cute, I don't care about big round anime eyes, I love a plot with explosion, sorta like FF7 did when it came out although its become DBZ now, I agree, I wanna see clothing changes, weapon changes, less hair!!!!! Less winging about the girl of the main characters dreams.

Oh, and while theres a place for turn based fighting, there should be more of a focus on action RPG, you can still have more then one charater, but it is frustrating having to go through an entire battle sequence for every small monster, if I wanted to do that, I'd play chess ¬_¬ It requires careful placement, consideration and 1 winner.

Besides, action rpgs allow more space for co-op, turn base doesn't allow much sapce at all :(

Rant over.

The Tales series has always been an action-RPG hybrid since it's start on the SNES.

Getting rid of turned based combat isn't a simple matter. RPGs gained popularity because they didn't require a high level of skill and reflexes to play. Adding more action elements that require skill dilutes the elements that separated RPGs from other genres.