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| The RPG: A Fading Genre or Rising Star?; Debate it here | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 1 2005, 10:18 PM (138 Views) | |
| Tails2258 | Jan 1 2005, 10:18 PM Post #1 |
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Lv.67 Peace Keeper
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Welcome to a gaming-related debate that will have opinions soaring! The topic is RPGs (next wekk, FPS, lol), and our goal is to analyze the genre and determine whether it's uphill or downhill from here. Are RPGs one of the greatest genres? Are RPGs improving? What exactly do you concider an RPG? Spill your guts on this one, 'fellas... Below are two quotes that suggest RPGs just may be a fading genre...
If you agree, post and explan in further detail, why don't ya? If you disgaree, perhaps you see the opposite... perhaps the RPG will survive, and become more prosperous than ever. Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Xenogears, and other titles may be enough to lead the genre into the next generation of gaming. Perhaps we'll see improved character-building, more complex story lines, or longer gameplay? Think RPGs are a rising star? Post and prove it. ------------------------------------------------ Alright, now for my opinion... or more of it, rather. Let me first clarify this... I don't classify games like Metroid, Zelda, and Harvest Moon as RPGs. Some say Zelda is an RPG, because he's a elvish guy who wields a sword, collects items, and conquers evil. But it's still not an RPG. In Metroid, Samus explores the locales with various weapon upgrades and is bound to complete a particular task. But it's still not an RPG. Harvest Moon has people-interactivity, use of various items and tools, and playing the role of a farmer. But it's still not an RPG. To me, an RPG must have all these elements: Character-building system, item collection, and strategic battles. Many people claim games like PSO and Megaman Legends are RPGs, or Action-RPGs, rather... but I say they're just action games (unless played online, PSO is a MMORPG). That's just my perspective. With that clarified, let me say... RPGs are generally boring, and I see a genre that may face lackluster quality as the future progresses if changes aren't made. For one thing, I'm seeing too much of the same things... the same story of good verses evil, a random individual who is the "chosen one", and must save the world from some supernatural being of evil. You also wield out-of-date weapons, collecting potions, wearing ye-olde slacks, and running through miles and miles of boring dialogue along the way. Oh, and you randomly fight monsters and such, but don't worry, the wait to attack while ou strategize to perform simply one command, then you retreat back with your teammates and a nicely assembled line and let the baddies whip you. Waiting your turn... it's as fun as it sounds!!! (sarcasm!) If these stories don't improve, and if we don't see more variety, it's all going to be the same old stuff. Square Enix can't live off an empire of used ideas forever. And in an age where FPS and free-roaming action games are growing popular, RPGs are left to bite the dust... with its only devoted supporters being FF fanboys and gamers native to Japan. Here's what needs to be done if I wish to become pleased by this genre. Let's vastly improve the story lines so they're always making us want to endure painful turn-based battle sequences just to learn more of the story. Let's fix up the battle sequences to allow more innovation and hands-on controls, where you actually feel like your a participant. Let's expand the character-building system in new ways that will affect the game in various ways. If not, eh... well the genre will grow into the borefest that I claim it is now. |
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| Lesolithe | Jan 1 2005, 10:38 PM Post #2 |
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Lv.4 Brigand
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Indeed; the genre is dying. But, still, I won't say that it's death is iminent. RPGs have always been defined by their deep story's and strategic battles... but, to be frank, the title RPG doesn't seem to be a correct assessment of the genre. RPGs need to be divided into several seperate genres, in my opinion, but such a thing is inconievable today; We have grown with RPGs, and the title will not soon be forgotten. And, thus, a true RPG must be made. Something that so redefines RPGs, that no other genre could be compared. Something that makes the fans of pen&paper RPGs, the origins of the genre, jump and say "Now this is a real RPG!" I, for one, think that branching storylines are a huge step in the right direction. But, right now, it seems the branches are so few, and so limited. Players should play a direct role in the branching of the storylines; anything they do can lead to a seperate outcome. Perhaps, then, a game similar to true RPGs should be set up? An MMORPG where a DM hosts a game, and as the other players play, he sets up obstacles and other things for the players to overcome? An option, one that might be successful, but we would still be missing one key component; the storyline. Tails hit it right on the head; they're becoming too similar. What ever happened to personal conflicts? Since when do all conflicts happen between rebels and empires? And why the hell did those Star Wars movies do so well? I, for one, will never know. What I do know, though, is that the stories need to change. If they don't, I can see the corruption that is occuring within the RPG genre becoming terminal. |
| Yeah, we all know the image in avatar is a fake PS3 logo. Nobody needs to tell me. >.> | |
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| GeneralSlash | Jan 1 2005, 10:39 PM Post #3 |
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Lv.18 Brawler
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PSO is an rpg, if your putting it in the perspective of the elements u consider an RPG, becuase it has those things. I agree with sum of the things u say, but not all, i myself actually *shock* ENJOY READING *shock* so the endless dialouge is cool, and id rather have lots of dialouge then bad voice acting like alot of games..but i do enjoy rpgs far more if they have humor, so mario rpgs are very kool. It would b nice if there was a few more of them with unique stlyes, like a food rpg! that would be awsome, you can train different forms of food, or sumthing.. and it would be awsome if nintendo decided to make an rpg with all the nintendo characters having kirby, samus, link, mario, and all the others joined together would be awsome.. |
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| lugnut360 | Jan 2 2005, 12:04 PM Post #4 |
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Lv. sqrt(-1) Noobicus
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I don't think RPG's are dieing out. They are just coming out in few numbers because I guess it takes longer to create a good RPG then a good FPS or other game. But when some RPG's come out, like KOTOR and Fable, they were sold pretty quick. I really think the KOTOR RPG's are going to do well and maybe Fable if they add some more stuff. Maybe the RPG's on PS2 and GC are boring but I like the ones on xbox. Xenosaga seems good too. And isn't FF a RPG? I thought that FF was the most raved RPG for PS2! I guess you guys played too many RPG's that its boring you to death. Maybe they will make a FPS RPG. That would be awesome. (I think Metal Gear Solid is somewhat like that). I think that if the game developers make more futuristic or present day RPG's they will be better. Cause im kind of bored of the Medieval setting RPG's, which are the most common. I think turn battles are lame (which is common in most RPG's) so RPG's will be more exciting if they make it so you personally move the character to attack. |
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| TheBlinkFan | Jan 2 2005, 01:12 PM Post #5 |
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Lv.9 Bowman
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Rpgs - My favourite genre, has been since the release of pokemon. To answer such a tough question you have to back to the routes of rpgs themselves, the great classics like pokemon and jade cocoon. These started Rpgs in my opinion, started Rpgs. Final fantasy games were never noticed for those of my generation until released on PS2. Rpgs nowadays are evolving into a new genre, like the sims, fable and harvest moon. Morrowind is the game that started this off, free roaming. Rpgs are not about leveling up anymore, or getting the best party members. There are classics like these, Kotor 1 + 2 (Number 2 isn't out yet in uk) which still have good gameplay and storylines... In my opinion, The evoulotion of Rpgs is only a good thing, than being spoon fed the storyline you have to find it out yourself, much more of a challenge than a platform, or resident evil (even if u only get 1 bullet in the whole game)... |
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| Zohar | Jan 3 2005, 04:43 PM Post #6 |
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Lv.8 Archer
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There are different types of RPGs: the true and the casual. If you think RPGs are dying, look at this generation's true RPG games. Suikoden III, FFX, Xenosaga I, PSO I-III, Baten Kaitos, and many other true RPGs (not gonna name them, you know them). You know them and you love them. One weak year in the RPG world means nothing when the next will >mAkE uP< for failures. I mean, in the following months, you will get Suikoden IV, Xenosaga II, FFXII, the new Zelda if you consider it an RPG...and others. Even the DS and PSP are pumping out new, original RPGs soon. In conclusion, yes, 2004 made me sad (as an RPG freak) but we will have our day sooner than you realize. RPGs are not dying out. The failures can be fixed if Lug's comment is realized. RPGs should really be more modern-to-science fiction than anything now. Fantasy is being overused and is becoming generic now; look at all the LOTR spinoff ripoff hoohah. The evolution of RPGs is not a core RPG. Like...basically the evolution is making ___/RPGs or ____/____/RPGs or ____/____/RPGs even. Look at the Sims or Morrowind or R&C for example. R&C is a Action/Platform/RPG for God's sake. Most are not a problem but some are so casual and they make false claims...>.> Fable... |
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| TheBlinkFan | Jan 3 2005, 06:16 PM Post #7 |
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Lv.9 Bowman
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Zohar Do Not Insult Fable... Fable is the best Rpg out, In my game you will be lucky to find another alive civillian ever...I have Big dirty red horns and eyes, and im still married to the mayor of the biggest city I prefer it too your story based 'Jap Crap' Rpgs.... |
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| Tails2258 | Jan 3 2005, 09:39 PM Post #8 |
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Lv.67 Peace Keeper
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I denied games like PSO, Harvest Moon, and Zelda as RPGs simply to place an emphasis on my argument against traditional, or turn-based RPGs. I do agree, however, that the RPG genre has w ide spectrum, with both your strategic turn-based "traditional" RPGs, and your hands-on real-time "Action" RPGs. I'll take back denying PSO and other such games of their RPG-ness, because deep down... there's a little RPG in all of us. Excellent point. Bah, I dislike Medieval style... I want to see RPGs that bend our imagine by taking advantage of futuristic settings in a futuristic world. Heh, Morrowind... I hated that game, but yes... it set the stage for free-roaming RPGs. And Pokemon, one of the few turn-based RPGs I didn't dislike, set the stage for releasing multiple versions of a game, which is now just a big pain in the ass, lol. But honestly, in Final Fantasy I through XII, and all those strategic ones in between impress you with the engaging story line, and the turn-based battles don't grow stale to you, that's great. You've got plenty of great titles to experience. But to me, turn-based RPGs simply aren't fun. "Action" RPGs, on the other hand (or as I prefer to call them, Real-time RPGs), are simply awesome. You take the engaging stories, character building, and item collecting from traditional RPGs and add more hands-on combat. This way it can be mixed with puzzles and such, as well as elements from platform games as well. This is why RPGs like Fable, PSO, Zelda, FF: CC, Sudeki, MegaMan Legends, etc. are so great. Mario's RPGs turn out well, because so much work goes into the story to add humor, so I generally can stand the repetitive turn-based battles. Making RPGs like LOTR and MegaMan X are kinda cheap though... admit it... o_o |
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| Lesolithe | Jan 3 2005, 09:40 PM Post #9 |
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Lv.4 Brigand
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I agree; Fable is probably the closest anyone has ever been to a "true" RPG. But it was lacking in so many areas... I loved it, but a lot of what Molyneux promised was missing. Though it was quite fun, it felt too simple in the areas that matter; battle and storyline..... however, I'm not reviewing Fable, so I'm going to end my analysis with that statement. As for your statement, Zohar, the combinations may be evolutions of the RPG genre... but they are not a direct descendant. The future of RPGs will not come in the form of such hybrids; if it will, then RPGs death will only accelerate. RPGs are simply what they are; a game in which you take a role in affecting the story. The evolution of how such a role is taken, and how the game is affected by that role, will be the evolution of the RPG. And as for your statement on 'jap crap', Blink, I believe it all depends on the style of RPG you prefer... but Japanese RPGs defined the genre with "Dragon Quest". Hell, I'd be hard pressed to find an RPG that isn't influenced by that game. Point in case, RPGs that Japan has been pumping out recently may not be top notch, but they have already made their lasting impression on the genre; to denounce all of them would be foolish. Not meaning to give you a hard time, man; I get kind of carried away on this stuff, sometimes.
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| Yeah, we all know the image in avatar is a fake PS3 logo. Nobody needs to tell me. >.> | |
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