Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Devs Think There’s Still A Prejudice Against Turn-Based JRPGs

What’s the Issue with Turn-Based JRPGs?

In a recent Automaton interview, Broche laid it out for us. Turn-based JRPGs were riding high during the Xbox 360 era, but something flipped when open-world games became the shiny new trend. Suddenly, JRPGs were like the “dad jeans” of gaming—not cool, not trendy, and definitely not what the hype train was boarding.

You’d think the stellar success of the Persona series or upcoming heavyweights like Dragon Quest XII might’ve cleared up this misconception by now. Yet, Broche says there’s still this lingering prejudice, like a bad hangover that just won’t quit. Imagine dismissing a genre that sold millions of copies (cue Clair Obscur’s 3.3 million in 33 days flex) as “uncool.” Yeah, that’s the level of weird stigma we’re talking about.

The Persona Effect

Broche pointed out that Persona seems to be the golden child of turn-based JRPGs. It’s the kid who aced every test while the rest of the genre got stuck copying homework. While Persona gave turn-based combat a serious glow-up with modern aesthetics and deep storytelling, the prejudice against the genre as a whole apparently still lingers.

Why? Because people are still hung up on the idea that turn-based games are relics of an older, less exciting era. It’s not just casual players either. Even gaming media used to hammer JRPGs as “anime nonsense.” (Good job, early 2000s gaming mags.)

But We’re in the Golden Era of JRPGs, Right?

Here’s the kicker. Turn-based JRPGs are arguably better than they’ve been in years. We’ve got bold storytelling, nuanced mechanics, and massive sales that clearly show the audience is there. Titles like Persona 5, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and yes, Clair Obscur, have all proved that when done right, turn-based systems still work really well.

Broche even made it crystal clear that the additions to Clair Obscur’s combat, like its parry system or narrative-heavy design, weren’t pandering to avoid the stigma. They were there because the gameplay demanded it, not because the dev team wanted to slap an “it’s cool, we swear” sticker on the box.

Bottom line? This prejudice isn’t coming from the numbers, it’s coming from the optics. And that’s the real uphill battle for turn-based JRPGs.

Why Turn-Based Combat Deserves Better

The arguments against turn-based combat always fall into the same tired clichés. “It’s slow.” “It’s boring.” “Why do I have to wait for my turn to punch someone?” But these same critics will sink dozens of hours into strategy games without batting an eye. (Hello, contradiction!)

Turn-based systems aren’t about slow pacing or arbitrary mechanics. They’re about strategy. They’re about outsmarting your enemy five moves ahead, like chess but with epic boss music and dazzling particle effects. Not every game needs to be a high-octane action fest, and that’s okay. Variety is what makes gaming amazing.

Is This Prejudice Really Going Anywhere?

Honestly? Probably not entirely, and that’s fine. Not every genre needs universal approval to thrive. Turn-based JRPGs know their audience, and their audience knows what makes them great. Sure, there will probably always be someone griping about the “outdated” mechanics, but that’s not stopping the industry from moving forward.

Even Guillaume Broche seems optimistic. With games like Clair Obscur proving there’s room for innovation, and titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 showing that turn-based systems have mainstream appeal, the needle is moving. Slowly, but it’s moving.

The Verdict

Turn-based JRPGs may never reach “TikTok trend” levels of coolness, but does that really matter? They’ve got depth, heart, and a loyal fanbase that keeps the genre alive and evolving. And if the success of Clair Obscur has taught us anything, it’s that turn-based games don’t need to ditch their identity to succeed.

The real question isn’t whether turn-based JRPGs are cool. It’s whether gamers can finally admit they love them without worrying about what anyone else thinks. Pro tip: they totally can.

Now, excuse us while we go replay Persona 5 for the 12th time.

Visit Total Apex Gaming for more game-related news.