Now back on topic: can you consider Beyond Good and Evil as an RPG?
How would you define a Role Playing Game?
at its barest minimum, a game that will let you do anything you want, be anyone you desire under the context of a good storyline, and yet still be able to finish the game without any hitches.
rpg's aren't dying; they will always have a niche market. if you have a good grip on the market, you'll always survive from a business standpoint, even if it's just a niche market and not a mass market.
however, i do believe that the rpg segment of the gaming market is in a dismal state presently. there are only a few good ones out there. and the ones that are good, come few and far in between. given the long gestation period of such games, it becomes more imperative that an rpg should deliver more than what it promised. it has to bring out the goodies that would compel people to buy and play it. and not just play it once, but play it with a passion. what do i mean by that?
any rpgamer will tell you that a good story is required for an immersive rpg. that is a given. i have to add that any developer should look beyond a compelling storyline. they have to come out with guns blazing, so to speak. the story/plot should be just a blueprint for a good game. it should just lay the foundation, as in building a house. the game must have cool items, ones that will make you drool over when you sleep at night. the game must have killer skills that a character can develop over the course of his life. skills that you would like to see over and over again in action as you replay the game because it gives you the feeling of being powerful, of being rewarded for having invested a lot of time (and money) into playing. the game must have interesting monsters, (not just the usual) opponents that you have to make the best use of your skills and the most out of your items to defeat. monsters/opponents that are difficult to beat, but not impossible, if you have developed the character. such will be the test of whether you've made a good character or not. let's face it, if you make a game too difficult or near impossible to beat, casual gamers will be turned off, i tell you. the difficulties of good rpg's level also as you progress in the story. meaning, it gets tougher as your level improves, and not inversely proportional, too hard at the beginning when you're just starting only to get easier in the end when you feel invincible. a good rpg must have a combat system that is manageable and not a chore to learn, yet able to hold the interest of the gamer.
of course, interesting dialogue options and outstanding music should be standards in a good rpg.
i've seen a lot of rpg's being advertised as having a good storyline, only to falter on the other aspects of the game.
