The terms are more used to describe story conveince mechanisms.  Both of the genres (western and Japanese RPGs) have RPG elements - leveling up, skills, etc... - but where they usually differ is the mechanism used to convey plot and story.

JRPGs are more fixed - the main character is usually fully fleshed out.  There is a very specific story to be told in this case. 

Western RPGs usually star an undefined main character, with a greater emphasis on player choice.

Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games tell very specific stories, with you inhabiting an established character.  With western RPGs like Mass Effect or Diablo - your character is more blank slate, and the story is much more broad.

So it doesn't matter where it comes from, it's more of a styalistic approach to how you want to tell your story.  As you show in the image, Dark Souls is more western in its approach - this can happen.

I could write an entire article on this, but I think you get the point.  I'm hoping that we'll eventually get away from the locale based terminology and more towards descriptive terminology regarding the nomenclature in the future.

Yes Jesse, I do get the point. It was more of a personal rant I have lol. Wife says I have issues lol!! I am also hoping that we get more towards a descriptive terminology of games of this nature!!

The terms JRPG and WRPG are used less to denote country of origin and more to classify games based on attributes specific to their region of development. Example: JRPGs typical contain anime-styled characters and turn based combat, where-as W(estern)RPGs typically have more realistic character designs and contain MMORPG elements such as non-linear story progression and real time battles.

that's pretty much how i see it some times 

While I understand the above comments made, I think you have a point. Maybe we could just call them LRPGs and NLRPGs? (Linear and Non-Linear)

nah, it's a common trend for both but neither styles are exclusive.

"I don't think so Tim" is that a Home Improvement reference lol? If so, I approve

Rpgs are rpgs.  I don't use "w" or "j" unless the situtation really calls for it.  
Also, I don't think of the Zelda games (unless it's Zelda 2) as rpgs.  They're action/adventure games, imo. 

I don't think there's anything wrong with classifying RPGs this way when the mechanics and storytelling are so different. I love Japanese RPGs, but I also like Western RPGs. They just feel drastically different from each other. This is one of those things that just never bothered me :/

It's more about style and gameplay mechanics than the country of origin.  You could have a company in San Francisco develop a Final Fantasy clone and it would be considered a JRPG.  It's just a way of differentiating two styles of games that can be drastically different.  And Europe is still considered to be part of the Western world so I don't think you need to worry about ERPGs popping up any time soon.

Finally, someone gets it!  I've been saying the same thing (to myself) for years.  I understadn the other comments above regarding the difference in classifications, but I don't see it as a necessity though.

Thanks for mentioning my blog, by the way :-)

Looking forward to your reviews and thoughts.

Yay!

There is no purpose to splitting rpgs between regions.  For the longest time these games were just known as rpgs, but somewhere along the line a unnecessary distinction was made.  It's just as bad as the distinction between computer rpgs and console rpgs; they're elitist comments meant to demean what is on the other side or to imply one has less worth than the other.  Just call them what they are, which is rpgs.  Where they come from or where they reside is irrelevant.

That said, rpgs spread far beyond turn-based gameplay.  While the earlies games in the genre needed that sytle in order to convey their scope, it has evolved to the point where everything can be done in real-time, action-oriented frameworks.

Finally, I have no idea who told you that Zelda was a Western rpg.  It's bad enough that the series has very loose ties to the genre itself (the original Zelda, which set the tone for the rest of the series, was an adventure game), but for someone to say it's associated with Western designs must be confused.

I won't use the terms JRPG or WRPG. JRPG is usually used as a pejorative term by Westerners who look down on Japanese-made RPGs. 

After all, is The Witcher a PRPG? Is Mass Effect a CanRPG (since CRPG is usually meant to mean RPGs on PCs, or video RPGs in general).

RPG, JRPG, LMNOP, QRSTUV... it's all the same to me! :3

ps- added 'ya. I look forward to reading more in the future!

Thank you hope to keep on blogging!!