Due to the different terminologies and classifications of what JRPG and WRPG are, I managed to dig up a somewhat solid explanation from Wiki. This topic was discussed on Ustream and JTV during a live broadcast of FF1.
Due to cultural differences between game developers, historically different inspirations, origins and distinct target audiences, two main trends of video game role-playing video games exist: the Western RPG (WRPG) and the Japanese RPG (JRPG) or Eastern RPG; the latter of which was heavily influenced by the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games.
JRPGs usually tend to place a greater emphasis on tightly orchestrated, linear narratives, where as Western RPGs usually tend to focus more on open-ended, non-linear gameplay. Most JRPG plots tend to use linear storylines and reuse similar formulas and archetypes, and they focus more on scripted cut scenes and dialog. However, they are not considered to be true role-playing games as there is generally not branching outcomes and instead the term is used because they are derived from the more open-ended role-playing games. In contrast, most WRPGs have more non-linear exploration and story development as well as greater control of the player characters' development, both of which come at the price of more generic dialogue and less focus on essential gamplay, specifically the battle system. Another difference prominent in JRPGs is kawaisa. While WRPGs tend to be more serious and gritty in tone, JRPGs tend to feature cute (and even comic-relief type) characters often juxtaposed (or clashing) with more mature themes and situations. Finally, the characters are usually depicted in anime-style in JRPGs.
Japanese views on religion tend to use Christian themes for religious tones. Nintendo made efforts to cleanse these references when translating them for the North American market. Also, due to Japan's lack of a Christian majority, it is not unusual for a game to feature God as the final enemy, such is in Xenogears or Final Fantasy Tactics.
JRPGs have been criticized by Western role-playing fans for not allowing as much player freedom to role-play, and have even suggested that referring to them as "role-playing games" is a misnomer. They have also been criticized for simplified battle systems where players can win by "hitting the same button until all of the enemies are dead". However, newer JRPGs such as Final Fantasy X and Xenosaga have complex systems requiring advanced strategies and timing. In contrast, WRPGs seem to be more concerned with the underlying rules governing the battle system rather than the experience itself.
