brattle
17-10-2000, 13:49
Computer RPGs are like Art and Pornography, we all have an idea of what they are, but nobody can say for sure. As I am totally bored at work at the moment, I shall delve into the depths of one of the greatest questions that has perplexed man kind :cheese:.
Okay, so a Role Playing Game by definition is a game in which the player assumes a role of another person, right? But although this definition works for pen and paper RPGs, it doesn’t for video games. If it did, Half-life would be an RPG. The player assumes the role of Gordon Freeman and is thrust into his world. He interacts with other characters and progresses through a story. So why is Half-life not classified as an RPG?
Looking from another perspective, most people would agree that Final Fantasy, Baldurs Gate and Dragons Quest are undoubtedly RPGs. The waters start to muddy though when games like Zelda come into play. The term Action RPG has been invented for these types of game, where the combat eschews the turn based fights and the action occurs in realtime.
However, Zelda is closer in the gameplay department to Tomb Raider than Final Fantasy, and Tomb Raider is never, ever classed as an RPG :rolling:. Many people say that Zelda is not an action RPG at all but an action/adventure game and this title Action RPG should only be used for games like Secret of Mana.
So what is the difference between Zelda and the Secret of Mana? On the surface, the main difference is the use of Statistics and level enhancments in the latter title. Also the use of menus for spells and items. But if this is what differentiates between an RPG and an action/adventure game, then games like Diablo and Castlevania: SOTN are also RPGs. Hmmmmmm :hmph:.
Taking another look at Zelda, the main thrust of the game lies in its devious dungeons and puzzles (as it does in tomb raider). The story is largely secondary to the gameplay. Conversely, the core of The Secret of Mana is the story, the characters and the combat.
So is a computer RPG one where the key elements are combat, characters, statistics and story? If it is, then is Deus Ex an RPG? And can somebody tell me why my head hurts?
Okay, so a Role Playing Game by definition is a game in which the player assumes a role of another person, right? But although this definition works for pen and paper RPGs, it doesn’t for video games. If it did, Half-life would be an RPG. The player assumes the role of Gordon Freeman and is thrust into his world. He interacts with other characters and progresses through a story. So why is Half-life not classified as an RPG?
Looking from another perspective, most people would agree that Final Fantasy, Baldurs Gate and Dragons Quest are undoubtedly RPGs. The waters start to muddy though when games like Zelda come into play. The term Action RPG has been invented for these types of game, where the combat eschews the turn based fights and the action occurs in realtime.
However, Zelda is closer in the gameplay department to Tomb Raider than Final Fantasy, and Tomb Raider is never, ever classed as an RPG :rolling:. Many people say that Zelda is not an action RPG at all but an action/adventure game and this title Action RPG should only be used for games like Secret of Mana.
So what is the difference between Zelda and the Secret of Mana? On the surface, the main difference is the use of Statistics and level enhancments in the latter title. Also the use of menus for spells and items. But if this is what differentiates between an RPG and an action/adventure game, then games like Diablo and Castlevania: SOTN are also RPGs. Hmmmmmm :hmph:.
Taking another look at Zelda, the main thrust of the game lies in its devious dungeons and puzzles (as it does in tomb raider). The story is largely secondary to the gameplay. Conversely, the core of The Secret of Mana is the story, the characters and the combat.
So is a computer RPG one where the key elements are combat, characters, statistics and story? If it is, then is Deus Ex an RPG? And can somebody tell me why my head hurts?