Current Events > What makes something an RPG?

(+) Yeah! (+)

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On the most fundamental level, as long as we're talking about classic RPGs and not action RPGs like Zelda, it's the fact that your characters have underlying stat distributions and combat is dictated by a combination of random RNG rolls and probability modified by those stats.
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I don't know if this is an official definition but I just think it means a game where you can develop a character's narrative over the course of the game, both through actions and skills and even your own backstory.

That fits a lot of games but it's the core component to RPGs I feel. That feeling of making that character into a role rather than just going through the only motions laid out for you.
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When you hit the enemy numbers pop up on top of their head.
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Basically, RPGs are traditionally structured similar to the way Dungeons and Dragons worked.
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an RPG is a book of rules that you play with some friends and dice (or variation thereof)

a video game RPG is a video game that attempts to emulate those games

That's the bottom line

Nothing about levels, stats, etc matters in the longrun. IF it's attempting to emulate the feel of a pnp RPG, then it's an RPG.
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I remember back in the days turbonerds would not acknowledge jRPGs as real RPGs lmao.
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Prevalence of randomness
Stats with numbers that are not hidden values
Importance of narrative (JRPG)
Player agency (WRPG)
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