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Some thoughts on what is and isn't an RPG.


Diablo: You play the role of a hero destined to defeat the armies of Diablo in combat. The player has input into the equipment they carry and the attributes they train. Random quests are provided along the way, mostly combat related.
I'd be hesitant to class this as an RPG. While you can develop and arm your character in any way, you ultimately have to use your class' one specific strength to win.

Diablo 2: You play the role of a hero destined to (again) defeat the armies of Diablo in combat. Given this restriction, you have an abundance of ways to complete this, namely in the skills you decide to learn.
I would class this as an RPG as you have input into the how the game is completed within the boundry that it must involve combat.

Divine Divinity: You play the role of an unknown who rises up to be the Divine One, saving the world from the Lord of Chaos. Moral and ethical dilemas force you to take sides, both of which have their benefits. Many of these decisions afect the game later on, even if only minutely in most cases.
I would class this as an RPG as your decisions noticably affect your reputation and other parts of the world.

Counter Strike: You play the role of a SWAT officer or terrorist where you must complete your goal within the time limit. You have a selection of weapons and, as a team, a selection of positions within the team (defence, offense, tech, etc.)
I would not class this as an RPG as your actions only mean anything for a measly five minutes. Having only one goal in the game means your actions never affect anything except whether you win or lose.

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlanits: You play the role of Indiana Jones as he tries to prevent the Germans from taking over the world. There are three unique paths through the game.
I would not class this as an RPG as each path is simply a series of one answer only puzzles.

The Sims: You play the role of a family. Each family member can be developed and trained. Relationships and jobs are also dynamic.
I would almost class this as an RPG. <ducks for cover> The family members daily lives can affect them for the rest of their lives, but ultimately, everything is reversable, except for death.

Generic Soccer Game 213: (Sorry, haven't played many.) You play the role of a soccer team. Your goal is to become the world champions by defeating more teams than any other team. Your team members improve with experience and star players can be bought.
I would not class this as an RPG as the only way to win is by getting the ball in the net. However you develop the team, the next challenge will always be the same.


In summary, my view of an RPG is one where you can noticably change the future through your decisions. If you only have one main option, then you're not really making a vital decision. In real life, whatever you do in the role you live has lasting effects. For every mistake you make, your experience grows, but the world changes as per your mistake. Now after making that definition, I'll look at one more game:


Final Fantasy: You play the role of a hero and friends as they save the world from destruction/slavery/etc. by an evil villain. Your characters gain experience and levels through the game.
I would not class this as an RPG as the story is strictly ridgid. You never decide anything aside from who to use next in combat.
Now I know that anyone would class this as an RPG – and frankly I'd agree – but I have always seen them as a strategy game with a compelling story more than an RPG.


Of course, these are all simply my opinions from my own perspective.


@Virgo_Bluefire, please duck for cover after suggesting that Sci-Fi's cannot be RPGs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I'm a big fan of Cyberpunk and Sci-Fi RPGs.


@Alrik, I don't think that experience points and upleveling are strictly necessary for an RPG. They help in that you can develop and attach yourself to your character. But if a story was written well enough, your characters decisions alone could make it an RPG, and simultaniously could attach you to your character.

well said! that is one hell of an essay <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> and a very well made point/s. i agree with alot of what you said especially about the linerality (how linear it is) and that a true rpg has have a changing environment linked to what you do in it and what you say in the game. although if rpg had not been designated to the genre everyone disscusses on this site then everything would be a role playing game due to the role you play within it.

an excellent point because things like myst and a weird game i played recently similar to myst did not involve levelling up and i would class those as rpgs as the story is not linear and your actions effect gameplay and the ending.

Thanks. I had some [nocando] on my mind and had to change the topic in my head before I could get to sleep. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

dedication. thats what you need.

I have to say, If we're talking all time best, then the original Monkey Island series has to be considered.

i would consider that a puzzle game rather than an rpg as defined by the bloke with the rune stone as a picture

The differences between the two are so limited that it could be said that the two genres are too similar to differentiate. In this generation of multiplicity the two forms are being mixed, thus the idea of an RPG puzzle game is common.

Whilst on the subject, does that mean the Discworld series are puzzle games? It is difficult for myself to figure out an RPG, if it is in fact a Role Plaing Game, then surely every game where one plays as a character is an RPG...?

it's quite a hard topic to discuss.....it seems alot of people has a different look on it.....aniway an rpg is an fantasy to live and all i can say is that allthough an rpg often has elements of other games in it....you can always tell if it's an rpg or not....if it goes like this then in the future there's hardly gonna be any difference between genres....

This is an interesting response and is one that needs no consideration. Take einsteins thoery of relitivity, a single equation that gives a formula for energy (if there is such a thing) in a single context, or genre. The unification theory (the struggle to achieve one equation for all the three primary forces (electronegativity, weak radiation, strong radiation)) can never be achived as these three forces are opposing in nature. This is much the same for games as there can be main groups, however many there is, but you cannot unify puzzle and RPG as an RPG with puzzles in it becomes a puzzle game and vice versa so therefore there is no divine definition of RPG its just whatever you make it.

an rpg mostly have some puzzles too solve.....and things to collect....quests too solve....cool people too meet....some sort of evil....ultimate weapons....summon creatures.....worlds to explore....you can add some more here lol......even if it's hard to define an rpg, you can't say it isn't one of the most interesting genres.....and for something to be an rpg you really must play an active role in it....

Or action-RPG. Or RTS with RPG elements. But yes, I agree -- adventure and RPG are so very close; it seems the deciding factors that differentiate them are the superficial ones, like leveling, loot-gathering and character customization (stats). Here's my definition: if you have wriggle room to develop your characters, stats and personality wise, and your choices can affect the story/quests, then it's an RPG. So for me, Diablo 2, Dungeon Siege, and the Final Fantasy games are not RPGs.

Perhaps we need a title change instead... I think that's what this topic is really about.

I guess we do think alike in ways.Not to start a flamewar ,but anyone who doesnt know the difference between an rpg and tombraider ,please raise there hand or forever hold your peace.

Heh, fact is, I've never even played a Tombraider game. Not one of them.

how did the topic changed?? who is to blame for it?? aniway i haven't played any of the tombraider games either.....or maybe one for 10 minutes or so...so the new topic has somehow become: The definition of an rpg....or somethin....

I finally got my copy of Baldurs Gate 2! Am loving it! I got into RPG's quite late, about 3 years ago, so never had the pleasure of playing Ultima etc.

Have to share time between BG2, Spellforce & DS Legends of Aranna now; will be tough because am due to give birth any time now really!

I loved <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> the most, but enjoyed Final Fantasy (7, 8 & 10) and Baldurs Gate.

i'm not a fan of baldurs gate. its not free enough in doing what you want when you want, although that might just be the console one.

there was a console version?!?!??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

baldurs gate dark alliance on ps2