RPGs - East Versus West?

Thanks to GameSpy for their Spy/Counterspy column discussing the relative advantages and disadvantages of Western and Japanese RPGs. According to GameSpy editor Benjamin Turner's less-enthusiastic view of Japanese RPGs: "I want to create my own characters instead of playing someone else's; I want to explore a world at my own pace rather than being shuffled through a pre-planned, linear progression. Most of all, I want to be able to replay a favorite game and have a very different experience." However, editor Christian Nutt's rebuttal suggests: "While there are entertaining elements to Western RPGs... the way that all of the design elements of a great Japanese RPG work in concert to offer a truly engaging experience as a whole is what really excites me the most."

Comments

Re:blah

[Rayonic]

Deus Ex, arguably.

Freelancer definately.

Anachronox too.

Anarchy Online technically fits the bill.

System Shock 2, Fallout Tactics, Neocron, Wasteland, Earth and Beyond.

Heck, I'd say there are at least as many sci-fi Western RPGs as there are Eastern ones.