I think part of this comes down to the art style. Anime is a hard sell to a lot of people because of the stigma it carries. If you're not a paying subscriber on this site, there is very little chance that you're going to go out and buy a game with an anime-style cover for $60. Most of the people that do that are kids anyway, part of the reason that most of these games have been portable this gen.

In the past, it was easy to hide the anime-ness because of the graphics. Everything looked cartoony. Now, it is really obvious. What I don't think a lot of publishers understand is that a lot of the anime-style games this gen have sold really well--look at Catherine!

*sigh* This is PS related but it's on PS2: Star Ocean: Till the End of Time

I actually think that has less to do with it than the fact that Western gamers have moved more towards making their own story as opposed to being told a story.

Most Japanese games have deep, lengthy writing that tells a generally pretty linear story. The gameplay is often full of non-linear twists, but the core of the story is linear. We are being told the story of x character or of y event. We can make some decisions within, but the story generally doesn't change.

Western Games tend to be more 'there's this happening, have fun' with a lot less of a defined story. Look at many of the most popular games of the generation:
Skyrim - some of the worst story I've ever seen in my life. It's basically just open ended do whatever you want.
The GTA series - sandbox open ended, sometimes has a bit of a story but more about what you want to do
Prototype/inFamous - They HAVE a story, but the highlight of the game, for most, is the wide open sandbox environment.


That's what Western Gamers - for the large part anyways - want, and Japanese developers tend not to deliver that experience. Which I'm grateful for, personally. When I want to make up my own story, my imagination can do it without a game to enable me...

Valkyria Chronicles is amazing ... in terms of game-play, this is not just a great "J" game ... this game stands on its own as one of the best strategy games ever released (in much the same way that FF Tactics stood out as a great game regardless of the J). Note that it is not a real time strategy game and has a reasonably gentle learning curve, so don't be scared off if strategy isn't your thing.

From what I understand it was a bit of a slow roller in terms of initial sales, so it was actually hard to find a copy due to production volumes - you ended up with some people / vendors jacking up prices long after release. I managed to find mine on Amazon.

The DLC's are very enjoyable as well, so if you never got around to those, take some time and revisit the game.

Can anyone recommend another turn based strategy game in the same vein?

I love the Disgea and Record of Agarest War games lol

Ni No Kumi: Wrath of The White Witch

70 hours into the main story and LOVING it! It has been a long time since i have been this hooked on an rpg.

Haven't played a PS3 JRPG, but I did play Xenoblade Chronicles, and it sucks that it's only on the Wii. Although, I loved the Drakengard games and I will definitely look into getting the 3rd one.

VC, HDNMK2, HDNV, ToX 1 & 2, Ni no Kuni and Nier look pretty promising to me. Fortunately for me, most of my favorite rpgs of this gen are on my psp. Some may disagree that the Yakuza games on the ps3 are not role-playing games.

Don't know if Toki to Towa will be that good, but at least Namco Bandai will be bringing it. If it's that good then it should be an anime.

From the ones I've played I would have to go with Ni no Kuni. Had over 80 hours in it when I finally got the platinum and completed all the post-game content.

talse of grace f and star ocean the last hope

ni no kuni!

Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2
Rune Factory Tides of Destiny
Tales of Graces f
Atelier Totori:The Adventurer of Arland
Atelier Meruru:The Apprentice of Arland

uhh i want a ps3 for this reason. so many more titles.

I've only played Final Fantasy 13-2 and Resonance of fate so far on the PS3 and both games are awesome. Now I'm just waiting for Tales of Xillia 1 and 2.