Reasons Your RPG is Disappointing @ Blend Games

Reasons Your Role-Playing Game is Disappointing is a piece at Blend Games that looks at some of the recurring problems in the genre.  My list would be different but these are all valid.  From the beginning:

The weakest part of many role-playing games is the first hour or so. Why? Because they take so damn long to get started. Developers decide they have to ease the players into the game so they begin the game at the main character's military academy or peaceful rustic hometown. The latter is the worse of the two, by far. An RPG that begins in a small country village always starts something like this: "Hello child, can you fetch me some apples? Don't forget the festival is in town today! Your rambunctious friend said he'd meet you there! OH MY GOD MASKED MARAUDERS ARE BURNING THE VILLAGE, SAVE YOURSELF!!!" Examples that come to mind are Fable and Neverwinter Nights 2.