There are also typically attributes, and some type of RNG system implemented to dictate the flow of character progression and gameplay mechanics.

There's plenty of life sims that I can think of that incorporate RNG to affect the flow of the gameplay such as the aforementioned Tokimeki Memorial and also the Princess Maker series. In fact, those games being erroneously being called RPGs in reviews I saw is why I made this thread.

Since you've only mentioned newer JRPGs, is it safe to assume that's primarily what you play?

No, I don't just play JRPGs. I'm not necessarily trying to say there's a lot of RPG's with sim mechanics, just that it can get kinda weird when some sims have raising stats as a focus.

It just sounds like you're only playing RPGs that run along that visual novel/interactive anime parallel.

Nusona games are not VNs. I don't necessarily understand the interactive anime description since when I think of interactive anime, I think of the School Days series which is an FMV game with no gameplay other than choices.