Heck, you even get dialog choices that change some minor things in NOLF 2 … what a wonderful game!
I thought my point was clear - neither game was trying to be the 'everything-RPG', but rather accomplish a narrow set of goals, and each doggedly works at accomplishing those goals even if it means that some sets of fans will rant about what they DIDN'T do. And I think each game does a great job of meeting ITS OWN goals.
Agreed. Its a good game that accomplished what it set out to do very well. That's fine, some people will love it, others won't. I just feely strongly that there is nothing truly rpg about this. As I have said before, gameplay and character progression wise it is not really any different from many action/shooter games that have come out recently on console. But these games, many of which have arguably more robust character advancement, don't even pretend to call themselves rpgs (e.g., Infamous)
And, once again IMHO, the ability to choose between two different dialogue choices throughout the game doesn't make this roleplaying. All this effects is dialogue and a few cutscenes. Once these are over, you go back to exactly the same linear route and gameplay; nothing truly changes.
So no character progression that requires meaningful choices that materially affect playstyle or gameplay (with exception of initial class selection). No roleplaying that materially affects gameplay. IMO that's not a rpg. Hell, the aforementioned infamous probably had as much character progression and the choices you made actually affected powers and gameplay to a much more noticeable extent.
I feel pretty strongly about this, and I don't think I am one of those crusty old rpg fanatics that won't accept anything new. I strongly enjoyed and supported Fallout 3, didn't really understand a lot of the DA complaints. I also play a much wider range of games than I'm used and am accepting of the reality and some of the positives of consoles. However, this is not a game I can support as an rpg. It should be marketed almost wholly as 3rd person sci-fi cover shooter.
Still a good game, just not what is advertised. I have no problem with rpg-lite games and games with minor rpg elements, but when they start to be considered the cutting edge of rpg and the model going forward, I get very concerned.