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Author Topic: jrpg inspired ttrpg?  (Read 4698 times)

MeganovaStella

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jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« on: September 22, 2022, 12:35:32 PM »
what are your favorite JRPG (xenoseries, megaten, dq, etc) inspired tabletop games?

ArtemisAlpha

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2022, 04:55:14 PM »
Probably, the best answer to this is going to be a game that came from Japan, itself, like Tenra Bansho Zero, or something with a setting that has been heavily inspired by various JRPG's, like Anima: Beyond Fantasy.

They're very different games from each other, though. Tenra Bansho Zero is designed around single session play rather than campaign play, and having the session move like a play from act to act during that session. Anima is a crunchy game, but if you like crunchy games, it's a ton of fun in play.

jeff37923

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2022, 06:15:14 PM »
what are your favorite JRPG (xenoseries, megaten, dq, etc) inspired tabletop games?

Mekton II and Mekton Zeta.

Although Cyberpunk 2020 with mecha from Mekton II or Zeta using the Roadstriker II conversion rules makes for some great game play. Does Patlabor and like a charm. It helps that R Talsorion Games published both systems.
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weirdguy564

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2022, 09:30:12 PM »
This could be two separate questions. 

JRPG style game mechanics.  I thought I could not think of one, but then again I can honestly say D&D is already a lot like Final Fantasy.  You get oodles more hit points as you level up.  That actually is how most JRPGs work.  You sit still and whack away until the gajillion hit points are gone, keeping in the fight by spamming cleric heals and wizard nukes.

As for Japanese settings, now we have more choices.  Palladium RoboTech and Tiny D6 Mecha vs Monsters are two I would choose.  I liked Palladium RoboTech Sentinels setting the best. Tiny D6 MvsM is what system I want to try now.  I’m too busy for crunchy/complex games
« Last Edit: September 26, 2022, 03:10:29 PM by weirdguy564 »
I’m glad for you if you like the top selling game of the genre.  Me, I like the road less travelled, and will be the player asking we try a game you’ve never heard of.

LagiaDOS

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2022, 09:05:18 AM »
Anima Beyond Fantasy.

It's a hard nut to crack, the barrier of entry is quite step, but for jrpg/anime shit is VERY useful, on top of being very customizable and homebrewable once you get how it works.

tenbones

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2022, 12:04:27 PM »
Mekton

Ocule

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2022, 01:02:43 PM »
Sword world https://swordworld.fandom.com/wiki/Book_1_Translation

Most anime’s that look based on dnd are actually based on this game. I can’t vouch if it’s good or not only that it exists and here is a translation of it. I’m sure there are other fan translations.

As mentioned above Mekton as well
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Tasty_Wind

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2022, 12:09:10 AM »
The first one that comes to mind is Big Eyes, Small Mouth (also known as BESM). I think (but I’m more than willing to admit that I’m wrong) that some RPGs based on anime from the ‘90s (Sailor Moon rpg) used an older or pregenator version of the system.

World_Warrior

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2022, 02:25:12 AM »
The closest one I know of that is meant to be a JRPG tabletop game is Retro Phaze. Some stuff I don't like about it (mainly how it handles its classes and Hit Points), but it is more or less Final Fantasy 1 as a tabletop rpg. It's also free.

Personally, because JRPG's stem from D&D, I'd just use basic or Advanced D&D, or really anything from the OSR, and just strip out all the utility spells. All other classes work the same.

A lot of the FEEL of a JRPG comes from elements that aren't dependent on rules, but the style and tone of the campaign. Usually, the story is tailored for the PC's, and they are always out to save the world from a cataclysmic event. After the campaign is finished, you create a new world for a new set of characters for a new campaign.

weirdguy564

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2022, 10:07:49 AM »
Jovian Chronicles is a LOT like Gundam.  This time the plot is spread across the entire solar system.  Jupiter is the tech and cultural powerhouse, with everyone living inside giant rotating space colony cylinders.  Earth is the primary antagonist, a nuclear devastated world that’s trying to reconquer everyone under the premise that everybody started as earth colonies, so they all need to come back into the fold where they belong. 

Giant piloted robots used as starfighters are the main combat unit, operating from space carriers with unnecessary launch rail runways.  Rule of Cool beats logic.
I’m glad for you if you like the top selling game of the genre.  Me, I like the road less travelled, and will be the player asking we try a game you’ve never heard of.

jeff37923

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2022, 12:36:02 PM »
Jovian Chronicles is a LOT like Gundam.  This time the plot is spread across the entire solar system.  Jupiter is the tech and cultural powerhouse, with everyone living inside giant rotating space colony cylinders.  Earth is the primary antagonist, a nuclear devastated world that’s trying to reconquer everyone under the premise that everybody started as earth colonies, so they all need to come back into the fold where they belong. 

Giant piloted robots used as starfighters are the main combat unit, operating from space carriers with unnecessary launch rail runways.  Rule of Cool beats logic.

Jovian Chronicles began as a licensed  setting for Mekton II.
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King Tyranno

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2022, 08:59:21 AM »
Sword world https://swordworld.fandom.com/wiki/Book_1_Translation

Most anime’s that look based on dnd are actually based on this game. I can’t vouch if it’s good or not only that it exists and here is a translation of it. I’m sure there are other fan translations.

As mentioned above Mekton as well

For people interested in Sword World there's an official translation too. The Goblin Slayer TTRPG uses Sword World and is the first officially translated version of it for the western market. It's a bit of a culture shock compared to DnD and other games. Especially in terms of layout but it is still very interesting from what I've read of the book.

weirdguy564

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2022, 06:29:57 PM »
If you want traditional Japanese set in a fantasy version of medieval Japan I can suggest two games.

Shinobi & Samurai.  Its a very traditional D&D OSR set of rules.  It is also quite rules lite with only 80'ish pages long.  And its FREE.

http://taxidermicowlbear.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/7/4/23742956/shinobi__samurai_1.0b.pdf

However, there is a paid game that has a much better book that teaches you Japanese Culture called Sengoku.  Right now there is a bundle of the game PDF, and two expansion book PDF's that only costs $6.  A good deal if you consider that the main book PDF alone usually sells for $16.  However, it doesn't use D&D OSR rules.  It uses the Fuzion system also used in Cyberpunk and other R. Talsorian Games.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/29421/Sengoku-Revised-Ed-BUNDLE?term=sengoku
« Last Edit: October 01, 2022, 06:33:40 PM by weirdguy564 »
I’m glad for you if you like the top selling game of the genre.  Me, I like the road less travelled, and will be the player asking we try a game you’ve never heard of.

AmbitiousGM

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2022, 10:24:08 PM »
Fabula Ultima (recently released from Need Games) is this exactly.

From their sales pitch:
"FABULA ULTIMA is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game inspired by Japanese-style console RPGs, or JRPGs.  In Fabula Ultima, you and your friends will tell epic stories of would-be heroes and fearsome villains, set in fantasy worlds brimming with magic, wondrous locations, and uniquely bizarre monsters!"

The art is also heavily reminiscent of older Final Fantasy art (the stuff that showed up in the manuals and title screens moreso than the games themselves).



Ocule

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Re: jrpg inspired ttrpg?
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2022, 01:14:26 AM »
Fabula Ultima (recently released from Need Games) is this exactly.

From their sales pitch:
"FABULA ULTIMA is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game inspired by Japanese-style console RPGs, or JRPGs.  In Fabula Ultima, you and your friends will tell epic stories of would-be heroes and fearsome villains, set in fantasy worlds brimming with magic, wondrous locations, and uniquely bizarre monsters!"

The art is also heavily reminiscent of older Final Fantasy art (the stuff that showed up in the manuals and title screens moreso than the games themselves).

They’re cringe af I wouldn’t give mr gelato any money. Shame it was a good pitch but screw that guy
Read my Consumer's Guide to TTRPGs
here. This is a living document.

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