Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is Great, But Its Popularity Raises Big Questions About How We View Japanese RPGs

Here is a 159-word summary of the news article: The article discusses the surprising success of the French RPG game Clair Obscur, which sold 1 million copies in just 3 days, outperforming many popular Japanese RPGs. It suggests that Clair Obscur's Western aesthetic and presentation may have contributed to its mainstream appeal, despite using similar story and gameplay elements as Japanese-developed RPGs. The article compares Clair Obscur to games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Final Fantasy X, noting they share common themes and influences. However, it argues that Japanese RPGs often face undeserved prejudice and dismissal from Western audiences due to their anime-inspired art styles and perceived tropes. The article suggests this cultural divide in media preferences is not one-sided, with Japanese audiences also favoring domestic game releases over Western ones. Ultimately, it argues that Clair Obscur's success should not overshadow the merits of Japanese-developed RPGs, which have long pioneered the genre's core storytelling and gameplay elements.