I used to be like you in that I was a huge fan of JRPGS and didn't really have any fun with WRPGs because they were 'too difficult'. I must have tried Baldur's Gate 2 after hearing how good it was 5 times through the years but never 'got it' because the conventions were so different.

What broke that problem for me was Guild Wars. The game is very easy to get into, has a strong story element and will get you used to some of the genre conventions. It even has a trial (this ISN'T an MMO) here.

After 1,500 hours of Guild Wars (yes I got a little obsessed :P) I found the other classics difficult to enjoy but doable since the conventions were primitive compared to what Guild Wars had. Years later those primitive games are some of my favorites because I could finally understand them.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

just keep in mind that western CRPGs are a different breed than JRPGs.

it's kinda like the massive gulf between the "Fiction" section and the "Science fiction/Fantasy" section at the book store... only not quite that bad.

JRPGs are essentially animated novels thanks to their complete tunnel vision when moving from plot point to plot point, western RPGs tend to be more of world simulators with a de-emphasis on linked plot points in favor of exploration.

If you want a story with distinct characters who empaticly develop over time, sit down with a JRPG.

if you want to screw around in a living world that responds to your actions and presses you into tactically maping out your actions, sit down with a CRPG.

both have their flaws and both have their weaknesses, it takes a little while to get the hang of CRPGs because they don't just throw a cast of individuals at you to follow along with. the trick is to not get attached to your main character despite how much time you spent building (s)him in the character creator, (s)he is nothing more than your primary puppet as you manipulate the game world ... kinda like the King in chess.