(stub) |
(expanded with definitions and sub-genre classification) |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
{{Genre|wikipedia=Role-playing game}} | {{Genre|wikipedia=Role-playing game}} | ||
{{-}} | |||
== Definitions == | |||
A very common but inaccurate definition of role-playing video games is the following: | |||
: ''A role-playing video game is a game where the player character earns '''experience points'''.'' | |||
A more accurate definition is the following: | |||
: ''A role-playing video game is a game where all the following aspects are present: | |||
:: ''1. '''Dialogue''' is an essential part of the game, and the characters have to talk and interact with non-evil characters to proceed in the adventure;'' | |||
:: ''2. There are '''permanent upgrades''', in the form of enhancements of the various attributes of the characters (attack, strength, magic, etc.);'' | |||
:: ''3. There is freedom of '''exploration''', all the areas are connected by an "overworld", and areas that have been previously cleared can usually be re-visited; in other words, the game is non-linear.'' | |||
Note that most RPGs feature an in-game map of the large overworld. Many gamers do not distinguish between the map of the overworld and the overworld itself, and refer to the second using the word for the first. | |||
=== Controversy === | |||
The two definitions do not overlap. | |||
According to the second definition, experience points alone are not sufficient to classify a game as RPG. Experience points are just one of the possible permanent upgrades, and some RPGs do not feature them at all. Some games follow perfectly the second definition (dialogues, permanent upgrades, non-linear exploration), but they feature no experience points. A notable example is the [[:Category:The Legend of Zelda|Legend of Zelda series]]. | |||
Some games do feature experience points, but absolutely nothing of the three points in the second definition. A notable example is [[Hybrid Heaven]], that would be better classified as action game. | |||
== Sub-genres == | |||
RPvGs can be divided into three main groups: | |||
# '''Japanese-style or consolle RPGs''', that focus more on plot and dialogues (n.1 in the definition above); | |||
# '''American-style or computer RPGs''', that focus more on chracter upgrading and non-linear exploration (n.2 and n.3 in the definition above). | |||
# '''Action-RPGs''', where battles happen in the same field the player characters are exploring. | |||
Both Japanese-style and American-style RPGs are '''Turn-based''', as opposed to action-RPGs. Turn-based means that battles are triggered periodically and are fought on a separate screen, interrupting the exploration of the overworld/dungeon. | |||
Further sub-genres incude: | |||
* '''Roguelike RPGs''', where the layout of dungeons is randomly generated; they could be seen as a sub-group of action-RPGs. | |||
* '''Strategy and/or tactical RPGs''', where the focus is on long battles, and often one of the three defining points of RPGs is missing; they could be seen as "chess with more realism"; they are usually turn-based. |
Revision as of 14:13, 6 September 2015
RPG |
---|
Definitions
A very common but inaccurate definition of role-playing video games is the following:
- A role-playing video game is a game where the player character earns experience points.
A more accurate definition is the following:
- A role-playing video game is a game where all the following aspects are present:
- 1. Dialogue is an essential part of the game, and the characters have to talk and interact with non-evil characters to proceed in the adventure;
- 2. There are permanent upgrades, in the form of enhancements of the various attributes of the characters (attack, strength, magic, etc.);
- 3. There is freedom of exploration, all the areas are connected by an "overworld", and areas that have been previously cleared can usually be re-visited; in other words, the game is non-linear.
Note that most RPGs feature an in-game map of the large overworld. Many gamers do not distinguish between the map of the overworld and the overworld itself, and refer to the second using the word for the first.
Controversy
The two definitions do not overlap.
According to the second definition, experience points alone are not sufficient to classify a game as RPG. Experience points are just one of the possible permanent upgrades, and some RPGs do not feature them at all. Some games follow perfectly the second definition (dialogues, permanent upgrades, non-linear exploration), but they feature no experience points. A notable example is the Legend of Zelda series.
Some games do feature experience points, but absolutely nothing of the three points in the second definition. A notable example is Hybrid Heaven, that would be better classified as action game.
Sub-genres
RPvGs can be divided into three main groups:
- Japanese-style or consolle RPGs, that focus more on plot and dialogues (n.1 in the definition above);
- American-style or computer RPGs, that focus more on chracter upgrading and non-linear exploration (n.2 and n.3 in the definition above).
- Action-RPGs, where battles happen in the same field the player characters are exploring.
Both Japanese-style and American-style RPGs are Turn-based, as opposed to action-RPGs. Turn-based means that battles are triggered periodically and are fought on a separate screen, interrupting the exploration of the overworld/dungeon.
Further sub-genres incude:
- Roguelike RPGs, where the layout of dungeons is randomly generated; they could be seen as a sub-group of action-RPGs.
- Strategy and/or tactical RPGs, where the focus is on long battles, and often one of the three defining points of RPGs is missing; they could be seen as "chess with more realism"; they are usually turn-based.
Subcategories
This category has the following 5 subcategories, out of 5 total.
Pages in category "RPG"
The following 200 pages are in this category, out of 970 total.
(previous page) (next page).
9
A
- A.I.M. 2: Clan Wars
- Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes
- Adventure Bar Story
- Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigations
- Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom
- AdventureQuest
- AdventureQuest Worlds
- Adventures to Go!
- Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage
- Akalabeth: World of Doom
- Akuma-kun: Makai no Wana
- Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean
- Alcahest
- Alien Syndrome (2007)
- The Alliance Alive
- Anachronox
- Ancient Domains of Mystery
- Angels Online
- Anvil of Dawn
- Arcania: Gothic 4
- Artelius
- Arx Fatalis
- Ashen Empires
- Asheron's Call
- Asheron's Call: Throne of Destiny
- Aspic
- Aspic Special
- Aspic: Majaou no Noroi
- Assassin's Creed: Identity
- Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk
- Atelier Elie: The Alchemist of Salburg 2
- Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky
- Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey
- Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland
- Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings
- Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg
- Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg
- Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland
- Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland
- Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy
- Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key
- Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
- Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea
- Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream
- Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book
- Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland
- Atlantica Online
B
- Bahamut Lagoon
- Baldur's Gate
- Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
- Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
- Baldur's Gate III
- Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
- Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
- The Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight
- The Bard's Tale
- Baseball Superstars II Pro
- Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
- Baten Kaitos Origins
- Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
- Battleheart
- Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII
- Benkei Gaiden
- Biomotor Unitron
- Bionicle: Maze of Shadows
- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story
- The Black Onyx
- Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light
- Blue Dragon
- Body Inspection in Belloncho
- Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand
- Borderlands 2
- Borderlands 3
- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!
- Bravely Default
- Bravely Default II
- Bravely Second: End Layer
- Breath of Fire
- Breath of Fire II
- Breath of Fire III
- Breath of Fire IV
C
- Cabal Online
- The Caligula Effect
- The Caligula Effect: Overdose
- Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Chikyuu Senshi Rayieza
- Children of Mana
- Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy!
- Chrono Cross
- Chrono Trigger
- CIMA: The Enemy
- Citizens of Earth
- City of Heroes
- Cleopatra no Mahou
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
- Code of Princess
- Code of Princess EX
- The Complete Ultima VII
- Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars
- Contact
- Cosmic Fantasy 2
- Cosmic Fantasy 3: Bouken Shounen Rei
- Cosmic Fantasy 4: Ginga Shounen Densetsu - Gekitou-hen
- Cosmic Fantasy 4: Ginga Shounen Densetsu - Totsunyuu-hen
- Cosmic Fantasy Collection
- Cosmic Fantasy: Bouken Shounen Yuu
- Cosmo Police Galivan (Famicom)
- Costume Quest
- Courageous Perseus
- Crimson Shroud
- Crusaders of Might and Magic
- Crystalis
- Curse of the Azure Bonds
- Custom Robo Arena
- Cyberpunk 2077
D
- Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp
- Dark and Light
- Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999
- Dark Law: Meaning of Death
- Dark Souls
- The Dark Spire
- Dark Sun: Shattered Lands
- Darksiders Genesis
- Darkstone
- Death Bringer - The Knight Of Darkness
- Deep Dungeon II: Yuushi no Monshou
- Deep Dungeon III: Yuushi heno Tabi
- Deep Dungeon: Madou Senki
- Deltarune
- The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave
- Destiny of an Emperor
- Deus Ex
- Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Diccuric
- Digimon World 2
- Digimon World DS
- Digimon World: Dawn and Dusk
- Digimon World: Next Order
- Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei
- Dinosaur
- Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
- Disney Three Kingdoms
- Disney's Toontown Online
- Divine Souls
- Dofus
- Dokapon Journey
- Dokapon Kingdom
- Doom & Destiny
- Doom RPG
- Double Dungeons
- Draconius GO
- Dragon & Princess
- Dragon Age II
- Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Dragon Ball 3: Gokuuden
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
- Dragon Ball Z Gaiden: Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku
- Dragon Ball Z II: Gekishin Frieza!!
- Dragon Ball Z III: Ressen Jinzou Ningen
- Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans
- Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury
- Dragon Ball Z: Goku Gekitouden
- Dragon Ball Z: Goku Hishouden
- Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu
- Dragon Ball Z: Kyoushuu! Saiyajin
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Goku Den: Kakusei Hen
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Goku Den: Totsugeki Hen
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu
- Dragon Ball: Fusions
- Dragon Quest
- Dragon Quest Characters: Torneko no Daibouken 3: Fushigi no Dungeon
- Dragon Quest I.II
- Dragon Quest II
- Dragon Quest III
- Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
- Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
- Dragon Quest of the Stars
- Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors
- Dragon Quest Treasures
- Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
- Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation
- Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
- Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
- Dragon Quest: Shounen Yangus to Fushigi no Dungeon
- Dragon Slayer IV Drasle Family
- Dragon Slayer Jr: Romancia
- Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes