Poll of the Day > A game isn't an RPG unless it has party management.

(+) Yeah! (+)

People arguing for years over such a basic concept of what an RPG is and they forgot that the most important element of an RPG was its party mechanics. A game where you only control 1 character (and doesn't have a co-op party function) isn't an RPG, it's an action game. There is really no way around this.

Yes that means The Elder Scrolls games aren't RPGs and I am fine arguing that.
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wrong
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Party mechanics are annoying.
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I'm totally right.
This is earth shattering news.
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what a dumb thing to say
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Dragon Quest/Warrior I isn't an RPG, folks, but every single other game in the series is while having the exact same mechanics.
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How is that relevant to an RPG?
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All games are rpgs, you "role-play" a plumber saving a princess? RPG! Some Robot janitor given a gun to save the world from a mad scientist? RPG! Some jackass playing cover songs for an imaginary audience? You damn well better believe that's an rpg.
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darcandkharg31 posted...

All games are rpgs

Candy crush.
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darcandkharg31 posted...

All games are rpgs, you "role-play" a plumber saving a princess? RPG! Some Robot janitor given a gun to save the world from a mad scientist? RPG! Some jackass playing cover songs for an imaginary audience? You damn well better believe that's an rpg.

It's true. Call of Duty is an RPG. You're "assuming the role of a character" whose objective is to save the world (or whatever the plot is).

A majority of video games these days are indeed RPGs. If there are characters whom you play as, and said characters have a mission or some sort of goal, it's an RPG.

Breath of the Wild is an RPG. RDR2 is an RPG. Super Smash Bros. is an RPG.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

Candy crush.

You're the savior of Candy Kingdom or some shit(according to wiki) I have never played CC so idk.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

How is that relevant to an RPG?

How is it you are incapable of adding anything to a conversation?
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What about RPGs with fixed parties? like most the final fantasys, magic knight rayearth (which also has fixed equipment) or Mystic Quest (fixed everything)
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So basically if I play D&D with friends it is an RPG but if I play a solo campaign it isn't?

...WHAT?????????

edit: Actually, lets take that further...

D&D is never an RPG because you only ever play one character and the other characters are played by other people.

again....WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!??!?!?!?!
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Im Final Fantasy's case you are still managing a party of 7 (more or less) people where you can only have 3-4 in the active party at any given time. XV more or less still qualifies in my definition.
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Dikitain posted...

So basically if I play D&D with friends it is an RPG but if I play a solo campaign it isn't?

...WHAT?????????

edit: Actually, lets take that further...

D&D is never an RPG because you only ever play one character and the other characters are played by other people.

again....WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!??!?!?!?!

Unless you die...

Judgmenl posted...

Im Final Fantasy's case you are still managing a party of 7 (more or less) people where you can only have 3-4 in the active party at any given time. XV more or less still qualifies in my definition.

A lot of games that people would normally not consider RPGs cold be considered RPGs based on those rules, though...
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Dikitain posted...

So basically if I play D&D with friends it is an RPG but if I play a solo campaign it isn't?

...WHAT?????????

edit: Actually, lets take that further...

D&D is never an RPG because you only ever play one character and the other characters are played by other people.

again....WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!??!?!?!?!

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Divinity Original Sin 2 is an RPG, but it stops being an RPG if you do a solo character run I guess.
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Wedding planning simulators just got a lot more popular
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Dark Souls is an action RPG in the west but a life simulator in Australia
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darcandkharg31 posted...

All games are rpgs, you "role-play" a plumber saving a princess? RPG! Some Robot janitor given a gun to save the world from a mad scientist? RPG! Some jackass playing cover songs for an imaginary audience? You damn well better believe that's an rpg.

I've always hated using it that loosely. If you use it that loosely it serves no purpose existing as a term outside table top games. Because in video games that covers the vast majority.

Im opposed to being overly strict about it too but will generally concede to some games just have some or alot of RPG traits but not all. If being strict though I'd say a RPG needs stats leveling up equipment character classes some form of rng affecting gameplay like which stats level up and how much or if an attack/skill works and a blank slate character you get to make up, name class and if you wish back story.

As far as what TC said about a party I kinda agree but not really. To me if being overly strict a game needs to be as close to table top rpgs as possible which yes did deal with parties but im betting with the right DM he'd set things up it could be run solo.
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mooreandrew58 posted...

I've always hated using it that loosely. If you use it that loosely it serves no purpose existing as a term outside table top games. Because in video games that covers the vast majority.

Im opposed to being overly strict about it too but will generally concede to some games just have some or alot of RPG traits but not all. If being strict though I'd say a RPG needs stats leveling up equipment character classes some form of rng affecting gameplay like which stats level up and how much or if an attack/skill works and a blank slate character you get to make up, name class and if you wish back story.

That's why I generally don't care for calling RPG a genre of its own. Instead, describing games as being another genre with varying degrees of RPG elements (such as leveling up, character customization, stat management, party management, the ability to influence the story and the world...) seems to make a lot more sense, especially where those RPG elements have bled into so many different genres.

WRPGs are shallow garbage

stop replying to such obvious bait
the man wont even respond to dragon warrior 1
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There are different types of RPGs, ES is definitely a type of RPG. RPGs don't require a group in order to be an RPG IMO.

This is a contender for shit topic of the year.
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This thread was a mistake.
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_AdjI_ posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

I've always hated using it that loosely. If you use it that loosely it serves no purpose existing as a term outside table top games. Because in video games that covers the vast majority.

Im opposed to being overly strict about it too but will generally concede to some games just have some or alot of RPG traits but not all. If being strict though I'd say a RPG needs stats leveling up equipment character classes some form of rng affecting gameplay like which stats level up and how much or if an attack/skill works and a blank slate character you get to make up, name class and if you wish back story.

That's why I generally don't care for calling RPG a genre of its own. Instead, describing games as being another genre with varying degrees of RPG elements (such as leveling up, character customization, stat management, party management, the ability to influence the story and the world...) seems to make a lot more sense, especially where those RPG elements have bled into so many different genres.

Same but I will call a game a RPG if the RPG elements seem to be the main focus or draw. Like elder scrolls. It's an action RPG but let's be real the action sucks compared to various other action games. Some people play it for the adventure and then people like me play it for the ability to come up with a role of our own making and living in the world presented to us. Few games get me excited to level up like a Bethesda rpg too.
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Dikitain posted...

So basically if I play D&D with friends it is an RPG but if I play a solo campaign it isn't?

...WHAT?????????

edit: Actually, lets take that further...

D&D is never an RPG because you only ever play one character and the other characters are played by other people.

again....WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!??!?!?!?!

lol yeah and D&D is basically the grandfather of RPGs. The first Final Fantasy game was heavily inspired by it in fact.

Also what about D&D CRPGs like Baldur's Gate which you can play with a party or play solo? Is it only an RPG if played with a party? I actually prefer playing Baldur's Gate with my overpowered solo fighter/mage/thief. Party? Who needs a party when you have a solo fighter/mage/thief?

Judgmenl posted...

This thread was a mistake.

At least you're willing to admit it.
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Judgmenl posted...

People arguing for years over such a basic concept of what an RPG is and they forgot that the most important element of an RPG was its party mechanics. A game where you only control 1 character (and doesn't have a co-op party function) isn't an RPG, it's an action game. There is really no way around this.

Yes that means The Elder Scrolls games aren't RPGs and I am fine arguing that.

Dragon Warrior.

Checkmate.

...you can have turn-based gameplay with just one controlled character. Unless turn-based gameplay is action now.

Not to mention that a lot of games with party systems have the same mechanics as action games and some other pure action games have party-based systems (ie, where you can set commands for your NPC squad)
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mooreandrew58 posted...

_AdjI_ posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

I've always hated using it that loosely. If you use it that loosely it serves no purpose existing as a term outside table top games. Because in video games that covers the vast majority.

Im opposed to being overly strict about it too but will generally concede to some games just have some or alot of RPG traits but not all. If being strict though I'd say a RPG needs stats leveling up equipment character classes some form of rng affecting gameplay like which stats level up and how much or if an attack/skill works and a blank slate character you get to make up, name class and if you wish back story.

That's why I generally don't care for calling RPG a genre of its own. Instead, describing games as being another genre with varying degrees of RPG elements (such as leveling up, character customization, stat management, party management, the ability to influence the story and the world...) seems to make a lot more sense, especially where those RPG elements have bled into so many different genres.

Same but I will call a game a RPG if the RPG elements seem to be the main focus or draw. Like elder scrolls. It's an action RPG but let's be real the action sucks compared to various other action games. Some people play it for the adventure and then people like me play it for the ability to come up with a role of our own making and living in the world presented to us. Few games get me excited to level up like a Bethesda rpg too.

I think that's a pretty reasonable way to approach it, if for no other reason than "action adventure with heavy RPG elements" is a bit of a mouthful. I'm still not inclined to personally think of games that way, but I respect your approach.