Stat building elements do not make a game an RPG

[failout]

The game is also fairly free-roam, with a few important choices and consequences along the way.

What choices do you mean? I didn't notice anything.

You were no longer an invincible juggernaut with the sole purpose to kill, but a humble stalker with a gun, not unlike others around you.

I played it on the hardest difficulty using a mods that make the game more realistic, and I could take out entire military bases by myself without too much trouble.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

The game is also fairly free-roam, with a few important choices and consequences along the way.

What choices do you mean? I didn't notice anything.

Multiple endings. The monolith ones based on Reputation, as well well as the other two if you did an extra quest. Also, group relationships with Duty/Freedom.

You were no longer an invincible juggernaut with the sole purpose to kill, but a humble stalker with a gun, not unlike others around you.

I played it on the hardest difficulty using a mods that make the game more realistic, and I could take out entire military bases by myself without too much trouble.

Mods also add lots of items that make it lots easier. Get 8 artifacts with protection from everything, and soon enough you regenerate from getting shot (well, not really).

Also, not really the point. Compared to most other games in the genre, it's definitely heaps more realistic.

 

[Verd1234]

I admit that I was mistaken....

Here is something someone on GameFaqs told me about how the Japanese misinterpretated the early cRPG games...

The whole JRPG genre is based on a misunderstanding. Early computer 'role-playing' games simply took the numbers and statistics of tabletop role-playing games and made them the focal point of the game because at the time the technology wasn't there to provide a real role-playing experience. These early computer games made their way to Japan before the tabletop RPGs did, so early JRPG developers erroneously thought that the numbers and statistics were what role-playing games were about. Unfortunately that means that while WRPGs or CRPGs use games with actual role-playing as their basis and are evolving to have more and more role-playing, JRPGs use games with virtually no role-playing as their basis and are evolving to have less and less role-playing, and this has led to confusion about exactly what role-playing is.

Role-playing isn't simply taking a pre-made character and playing out a pre-made story, it is creating a character, making decisions for the character, and having an effect on the story. I'm not saying WRPGs provide this type of gameplay yet, but that is what they are moving towards.

Hmmm....I understand now...

LOL the poor Japanese misunderstood what Role-playing games were about....

(And yes, the guy has obviously never played the old Fallout games and is most likely basing his argument on Fable, Oblivion, etc)

 

[Ausdoerrt]

^ Well, regardless of what he played, I believe that his view of role-playing in CRPG as a goal not yet achieved is a correct one.

The Japanese also have a huge Visual Novel games culture. Interestingly enough, the hybrids between VN and JRPG are much, much more similar to WRPGs (although, usually with more text and a bit less freedom). Take games like Sengoku Rance or Seinarukana as an example.

 

[Arr0nax]

Alleluia !!!
wRPGs are "moving towards" this type of gameplay, where you can make decisions for the character, and having an effect on the story !

/sarcasm

 

[Ausdoerrt]

A few recent shitty games are not enough to establish a trend. It will take a lot more to actually effectively reverse that statement.

 

[Verd1234]

A few recent shitty games are not enough to establish a trend. It will take a lot more to actually effectively reverse that statement.

It's more than a "few shitty games"...

It's half a decade...and will be much more soon until some developer takes the old mantle of Black Isle and Troika...

We know Bethesda can't and Bioware won't and Obsidian doesn't care so....

This ain't good...

 

[The Dutch Ghost]

I know that feeling Verd1234.

After playing a load of half assed games these last couple of years I really would like to see some good games again, that includes Role Playing Games.

While doing the dishes I was thinking about the current state of RPGs and how pis poor it is.
Again with evil ancient old foozles that need to be destroyed and forgettable characters.

I don't mind defeating some greater evil being part of a plot, but not the focus.
How about more stories that are character development oriented, and not stories about how the main player character discovers that he or she is the chosen one prophesied to defeat the evil foozle overlord.

I liked that so much in Planescape Torment, I was really curious about why my character was immortal, what his past was, and who is out to kill him again and again.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

How about more stories that are character development oriented, and not stories about how the main player character discovers that he or she is the chosen one prophesied to defeat the evil foozle overlord.

Dragon Age tried, and see what happened?

Also, nothing wrong with an overlord if it's done right. Plenty of RPG classics have had one. It's that sort of cliche (along with "saving the world/community etc) that most RPGs have. PS:T is an exception to the rule.