"It seems most JRPGs are set in a world that combines science fiction (advanced gadgets) and fantasy (magic, swords) whereas the western world keeps the two ent

"It seems most JRPGs are set in a world that combines science fiction (advanced gadgets) and fantasy (magic, swords) whereas the western world keeps the two entirely separate." Not true. There are many western RPGs that do that: Albion, Wizardry, Ultima, Arcanum, Might&Magic and that's just of the top of my head and some of these are whole series of games.