General News - What is an RPG Today?
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Hak'n'Slash
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To me, the most cogent expression of what distinguishes an RPG from other games came from a professional blogger named Dessalock, I'm not sure of the spelling.
About 20 years ago, he was writing about RPGs for a gaming website. He said, approximately, that what distinguishes RPGs from other games is that the purpose of an RPG is just to play the game.
My interpretation: unlike other games, you're not out for high scores or to beat the game, you're there to simply live in that world and do whatever you like. That really resonated with me.
About 20 years ago, he was writing about RPGs for a gaming website. He said, approximately, that what distinguishes RPGs from other games is that the purpose of an RPG is just to play the game.
My interpretation: unlike other games, you're not out for high scores or to beat the game, you're there to simply live in that world and do whatever you like. That really resonated with me.
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"you're there to simply live in that world and do whatever you like" - that's a definition of a garbage grinder MMO and garbage cowclicker. Sometimes also of simulation. That's not RPG. In my opinion.
G stands for game. What's a game? Definition vulgaris would be something like an obstacle/challenge or more of them where to proceed there is a fail possibility or not optimal solution(s).
G does not mean simulation, otherwise Sims would be RPG.
G also does not stand for grinding. Grinding is (second) job. It's not a game and it's definetly not skill.
Again, in my opinion.
Note that my opinion is almost never humble.
G stands for game. What's a game? Definition vulgaris would be something like an obstacle/challenge or more of them where to proceed there is a fail possibility or not optimal solution(s).
G does not mean simulation, otherwise Sims would be RPG.
G also does not stand for grinding. Grinding is (second) job. It's not a game and it's definetly not skill.
Again, in my opinion.
Note that my opinion is almost never humble.
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ChaosTheory
Virtual Reality Hero
If it's not a text or sprite-based, isometric experience with every possible stat being thrown onto my CRT, real-time-- it's a shooter.
- RPGWatch steadfast
And get off my lawn!
- RPGWatch steadfast
And get off my lawn!
Well said you get the stamp of approval.
Though in my case my taste differs as I love all types of RPGs especially one like the Witcher series, and Dragon Age. Please don't judge me my fellow watchers.
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Hak'n'Slash
Watchdog
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"you're there to simply live in that world and do whatever you like" - that's a definition of a garbage grinder MMO and garbage cowclicker. Sometimes also of simulation. That's not RPG. In my opinion.
G stands for game. What's a game? Definition vulgaris would be something like an obstacle/challenge or more of them where to proceed there is a fail possibility or not optimal solution(s).
G does not mean simulation, otherwise Sims would be RPG.
G also does not stand for grinding. Grinding is (second) job. It's not a game and it's definetly not skill.
Again, in my opinion.
Note that my opinion is almost never humble.
I think you missed the point of what Dessalock said. Grinding is something you do to advance; there's no concern with advancement, so no grinding. You're there to simply play the game. If my interpretation was poorly worded, ignore it.
Take Baldur's Gate; you don't have to solve quests or follow a certain path, you just play the game.
There are plenty of adventure games with point systems and stats thrown in, so I don't see that as a distinguishing characteristic.
Hardly anyone ever agrees with me on this, or anything mostly, so no big deal.
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I have a rather loose definition of a CRPG. To me, it's a game where I can be a character who interacts with other game characters in an open world. The game may or may not be fantasy-based. I like to have a character that can advance in stats/abilities, has an ultimate goal or mission. Long games are preferred. I don't have to 'beat' a game, whatever that means. If there is an over-arching goal, then yes I want to attain it. But it is enjoyable just to be in a game world and putter around and not feel compelled to 'win' it.
I don't care for turn-based, isometric, sim, PvP, tactical, strategy, FPS, MMO, MMPORG, whatever. I want 1st-3rd person, single player, open world. That's my idea of RPG.
I don't care for turn-based, isometric, sim, PvP, tactical, strategy, FPS, MMO, MMPORG, whatever. I want 1st-3rd person, single player, open world. That's my idea of RPG.
skally_wag
Sentinel
I thought I once knew what an RPG was, but I see so many games now tagged loosely with RPG I'm not so sure.
If I was to define it, its about taking on a role as a character/characters, then progressing through a story ,levelling up and improving your stats / skills until you eventually reach the ultimate goals and complete the game.
If I was to define it, its about taking on a role as a character/characters, then progressing through a story ,levelling up and improving your stats / skills until you eventually reach the ultimate goals and complete the game.
Lucky Day
Daywatch
Evolving past that? We've had Sci Fi CRPG's for a long time - I think the first one was the traveller adaptation.
As for game style? You mean action and first person. We've also had that for a very long time as arcade types.
RPG's have co-existed around these types of games for a long time. They haven't "evolved" into that style of gameplay, its more like they've turned into hybrids.
As for game style? You mean action and first person. We've also had that for a very long time as arcade types.
RPG's have co-existed around these types of games for a long time. They haven't "evolved" into that style of gameplay, its more like they've turned into hybrids.
BoboTheMighty
SasqWatch
"Pure" rpgs are about expression of your character, how much control/impactful decision making player has, whether it's narrative/gameplay/other game systems ( crafting, etc).
That said there is nothing wrong with "hybrids", either (when done well)... like with CDPR/Piranha Bytes/Bioware/Bethesda games/"Immersive sims"/"Soulslikes", etc.
Whole genre would be utterly dull if everyone was using same template.
That said there is nothing wrong with "hybrids", either (when done well)... like with CDPR/Piranha Bytes/Bioware/Bethesda games/"Immersive sims"/"Soulslikes", etc.
Whole genre would be utterly dull if everyone was using same template.
Ripper
Зичу Вам успіхів
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To me, the core of a CRPG is the ability to develop your character(s) in different and meaningful ways, such that you could have a significantly different experience by pursuing alternative builds.
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Its difficult to define and I don't necessarily agree with Avellone's definition. You can play a role and make decisions in branching dialogue in adventure games. In fact many games I'd consider rpgs have no branching dialogue. Anything I'd call an rpg has character development, a story, exploration, and decisions that have more than one result. There also have to be situations you can succeed or fail at depending on how you've developed your character. That's usually combat, but it doesn't have to be.
It's difficult to find an exact definition, but I tend to agree with RPG score system here on the site, which values things like C&C and character development.
Carnifex
SasqWatch
Too subjective to easily convey, and it can be so different for many folks. Frog and Cach nailed it best, at least a definition that works for me. Gotta have a good story, a character(s) that can grow, and substantive choices and consequences within the tale.