Is there a PbtA game or hack that emulates JRPG (as in Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger) tropes? I’m trying to think of one and drawing a blank. Seems odd, since the system does genre emulation really well and most JRPG characters are archetypal to a fault (and thus perfect for playbooks).
If there isn’t, why not? So much is there to explore, especially if the game text encouraged groups to think of the campaign as a JRPG they’re designing at the same time they’re playing it. You could come up with ridiculous Engrish-y names for the totes-not-a-Final-Fantasy-ripoff battle system during chargen, for example, or choose a console era you want the GM to emulate in their descriptions. Maybe you could even define your character’s combat barks and cheesy motto? The sky’s the limit!
You do 1254165 damage just doesn’t sound like a PBtA kind of thing 😀
You do 1254165 damage just doesn’t sound like a PBtA kind of thing 😀
Fellowship is the most JRPG game I can think of. Its about a group of heroes travelling across the land, battling against the plots of the Overlord, in an effort to reduce the villains power so they can have a final face off with the Big Bad. Really feels like every Dragon Quest game and many others.
Fellowship is the most JRPG game I can think of. Its about a group of heroes travelling across the land, battling against the plots of the Overlord, in an effort to reduce the villains power so they can have a final face off with the Big Bad. Really feels like every Dragon Quest game and many others.
Well, just speaking personally, when I think of JRPGs, I mostly think of combat: turn-based battles, tactics on a grid or front and back combat rows, giant damage totals against HP-sponge bosses, that kind of thing. (I know series like Final Fantasy have moved on from a lot of those things, but they still put combat at the forefront, and a lot of people still associate them with JRPGs.) Essentially, I think of games like 4e D&D, not PbtA. I’d imagine the focus on a completely un-PbtA style of combat would dissuade most people from attempting to pair the two. (Not that it would be impossible to capture a lot of the non-tactical-battle flavor with a PbtA game; as Lowell mentioned, Fellowship does it exceptionally well.)
Well, just speaking personally, when I think of JRPGs, I mostly think of combat: turn-based battles, tactics on a grid or front and back combat rows, giant damage totals against HP-sponge bosses, that kind of thing. (I know series like Final Fantasy have moved on from a lot of those things, but they still put combat at the forefront, and a lot of people still associate them with JRPGs.) Essentially, I think of games like 4e D&D, not PbtA. I’d imagine the focus on a completely un-PbtA style of combat would dissuade most people from attempting to pair the two. (Not that it would be impossible to capture a lot of the non-tactical-battle flavor with a PbtA game; as Lowell mentioned, Fellowship does it exceptionally well.)
I had been working on a PbtA game inspired by Inuyasha and King Arthur tropes called Feudal Fairytale where action, intrigue, and romance were part of the core.
I had been working on a PbtA game inspired by Inuyasha and King Arthur tropes called Feudal Fairytale where action, intrigue, and romance were part of the core.
Are you familiar with Anima Prime? It’s not PbtA, but it’s narrative / storygame with some crunchy bits, and it emulates Final Fantasy pretty well IMHO…
I would start with that game, and maybe write some playbooks / move / agendas / principles to make it more PbtA-like…
Are you familiar with Anima Prime? It’s not PbtA, but it’s narrative / storygame with some crunchy bits, and it emulates Final Fantasy pretty well IMHO…
I would start with that game, and maybe write some playbooks / move / agendas / principles to make it more PbtA-like…
I wrote a PbtA version of Ryuutama if you’re looking for something light hearted. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y5Tgy13VO2IBfITevjJzET9SdLcUJoCkbp2lRViMRzY/edit?usp=drivesdk
I wrote a PbtA version of Ryuutama if you’re looking for something light hearted. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y5Tgy13VO2IBfITevjJzET9SdLcUJoCkbp2lRViMRzY/edit?usp=drivesdk
Again, not PbtA, but Tenra Bansho Zero might be just the thing. Written by manga author Junichi Inoue it’s more of a storytelling style game than a tactical game like DnD.
Again, not PbtA, but Tenra Bansho Zero might be just the thing. Written by manga author Junichi Inoue it’s more of a storytelling style game than a tactical game like DnD.
I think there was a “Crystal Kingdom” or something similar in an issue of Codex a while ago? I’m not sure if I’m remembering correctly or not. But I believe it was inspired by PbtA or IndieHack.
Or my memory might be completely failing me
I think there was a “Crystal Kingdom” or something similar in an issue of Codex a while ago? I’m not sure if I’m remembering correctly or not. But I believe it was inspired by PbtA or IndieHack.
Or my memory might be completely failing me
Jason Li Yes– written by Maria Rivera.
Jason Li Yes– written by Maria Rivera.
Lowell Francis I didn’t have a copy so I’m not entirely familiar with its rules beyond Jason’s advertising copy in DR, but I feel like I remember it was inspired by Final Fantasy ideas and concepts with Jobs
Lowell Francis I didn’t have a copy so I’m not entirely familiar with its rules beyond Jason’s advertising copy in DR, but I feel like I remember it was inspired by Final Fantasy ideas and concepts with Jobs
Yeah, though that’s more The Indie Hack than classic PbtA.
Yeah, though that’s more The Indie Hack than classic PbtA.
I know that Ewen Cluney was working on “Dragon World”, inspired by RPG anime like Slayers.
I know that Ewen Cluney was working on “Dragon World”, inspired by RPG anime like Slayers.
On the subject of HaCK, I think DW or WoDu could also work for a job system, though the latter would be easier to make than the former.
On the subject of HaCK, I think DW or WoDu could also work for a job system, though the latter would be easier to make than the former.