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You may all be hooked-to the latest Notable Election right now, but i'm sure there are still some of you out there who wouldn't mind taking 2 or 3 minutes to read what I have to say now would you? :)
Role Playing Games (RPG's for short) have fast become one of the most-loved gaming genres, right up there with First Person Shooters of the likes of GoldenEye, Half-Life and Halo.
Success of the long-running individual series' like Nintendo's 'The Legend of Zelda' and Square's 'Final Fantasy' (to name as only 2) have played a huge part in helping to turn this genre into the success it is today. Of course, there are, have been, and always will be many more equally great Role Playing Games to make this the case on a long-term basis, but these 2 stand-out from the rest as undoubtabely the most-succesfull of the lot.
What makes RPG's so great??
No-one can easily pin-point what makes them so much greater than all those Sport Sims, Real Time Strategies and Platforming greats, but whatever it is in that 'winning formula', it has worked out like a real treat.
But if you think you can pin-point all the plus points about the RPG Genre then by all means, go ahead and try it! I will wait all year if I have to....! :D
There are some elements of games that are required in order to make RPG's the success' they always seem to turn-out to be. Without these, an RPG just wouldn't be! So, with that in mind, how do you correctly define what an RPG is all about, with what is required to create a new 'Chart Topper'??
'Magic' seems to be something that crops up in just about every single RPG. Zelda has it, so does Final Fantasy, even LBA and the newly released Lost Kingdom.
But what about Shenmue?? Where's the magic in that?
From what I can see there is no 'obvious' magic like spells and the like, but there is the magic within that helps to bring this story-adventure to life.
So maybe magic spells and potions aren't all that neccesary despite what we may have at first expected.
'Items' are neccesity's to every hero in RPG's alone. But just because a game like Super Mario Bros. 3 envolves Item Collecting, does it really make that an RPG now?? No. Of course not. But without items, the heros would fail in numorous attempts to overcome their obstacles and venge-off the main bad guy to save the Princess.
Could Link have saved Hyrule without the Master Sword?? And what about Twinsen with his Magic Ball?? These are definitley required in order to make an RPG great, without a doubt. But they can also pop-up in other genres too.
'Interactivity' in my view, has to be one of the key factors in making these games so great. Shenmue is a great example, and the interactivity in this game not only vastly increased it's size, but made the game a lot 'closer to real-life' with the buying and working elements included.
Without being able to talk to the locals of Hyrule, Link may have never been able to find all that he was looking for. The friendly advice from others can prove vital in the biggest and most complex of Adventure games.
A BIG 'must include' sticker goes here. *SPLAT*
The 'Enviroments' themselves play a big part in the Adventure. If they are too small and have very little complexity and interactivity in them then the game will soon become short-lived and boring. Even the little things like being able to slash through the bushes in Zelda helps to add to the greatness of these games.
Heros need spaces to explore - and we're not just talking Car Parks here!
With bigger lands and lots to see and do, the game just seems to grow and grow.
A decent 'Storyline' is always required in-order to make any game succesfull. Even if it's the same old 'Save the Princess' thing all-over-again, as long as it's got plenty of action and adventure in it, it'll be a success.
Storylines in Zelda are always the same, and look where that series is today!
But if several adventures follow straight on from one-to-the-other then it's highly-possible that the series will start to die of dullness.
Shenmue is still only 2 games long - with a 3rd on the way. It seems that these games will follow-on from the last, and in order to keep the series great, I believe that we will be lucky to see more than 5 Shenmue games ever created.
These a few key points that must be taken into strong-consideration by the developers if they wish to keep an RPG series growing healthily and strong. I'm also pretty sure that there are one or two other points to, but these come ontop of the list as 'top priorities'. Without these key factors, you could not possibly have in your hands a 'True RPG', like Zelda, just like Final Fantasy.
These are the points that I feel best 'define' what RPG's are all about.
If you have anything else to add then by all means please do so.
Surely I can't have got them all....??
Role Playing Games (RPG's for short) have fast become one of the most-loved gaming genres, right up there with First Person Shooters of the likes of GoldenEye, Half-Life and Halo.
Success of the long-running individual series' like Nintendo's 'The Legend of Zelda' and Square's 'Final Fantasy' (to name as only 2) have played a huge part in helping to turn this genre into the success it is today. Of course, there are, have been, and always will be many more equally great Role Playing Games to make this the case on a long-term basis, but these 2 stand-out from the rest as undoubtabely the most-succesfull of the lot.
What makes RPG's so great??
No-one can easily pin-point what makes them so much greater than all those Sport Sims, Real Time Strategies and Platforming greats, but whatever it is in that 'winning formula', it has worked out like a real treat.
But if you think you can pin-point all the plus points about the RPG Genre then by all means, go ahead and try it! I will wait all year if I have to....! :D
There are some elements of games that are required in order to make RPG's the success' they always seem to turn-out to be. Without these, an RPG just wouldn't be! So, with that in mind, how do you correctly define what an RPG is all about, with what is required to create a new 'Chart Topper'??
'Magic' seems to be something that crops up in just about every single RPG. Zelda has it, so does Final Fantasy, even LBA and the newly released Lost Kingdom.
But what about Shenmue?? Where's the magic in that?
From what I can see there is no 'obvious' magic like spells and the like, but there is the magic within that helps to bring this story-adventure to life.
So maybe magic spells and potions aren't all that neccesary despite what we may have at first expected.
'Items' are neccesity's to every hero in RPG's alone. But just because a game like Super Mario Bros. 3 envolves Item Collecting, does it really make that an RPG now?? No. Of course not. But without items, the heros would fail in numorous attempts to overcome their obstacles and venge-off the main bad guy to save the Princess.
Could Link have saved Hyrule without the Master Sword?? And what about Twinsen with his Magic Ball?? These are definitley required in order to make an RPG great, without a doubt. But they can also pop-up in other genres too.
'Interactivity' in my view, has to be one of the key factors in making these games so great. Shenmue is a great example, and the interactivity in this game not only vastly increased it's size, but made the game a lot 'closer to real-life' with the buying and working elements included.
Without being able to talk to the locals of Hyrule, Link may have never been able to find all that he was looking for. The friendly advice from others can prove vital in the biggest and most complex of Adventure games.
A BIG 'must include' sticker goes here. *SPLAT*
The 'Enviroments' themselves play a big part in the Adventure. If they are too small and have very little complexity and interactivity in them then the game will soon become short-lived and boring. Even the little things like being able to slash through the bushes in Zelda helps to add to the greatness of these games.
Heros need spaces to explore - and we're not just talking Car Parks here!
With bigger lands and lots to see and do, the game just seems to grow and grow.
A decent 'Storyline' is always required in-order to make any game succesfull. Even if it's the same old 'Save the Princess' thing all-over-again, as long as it's got plenty of action and adventure in it, it'll be a success.
Storylines in Zelda are always the same, and look where that series is today!
But if several adventures follow straight on from one-to-the-other then it's highly-possible that the series will start to die of dullness.
Shenmue is still only 2 games long - with a 3rd on the way. It seems that these games will follow-on from the last, and in order to keep the series great, I believe that we will be lucky to see more than 5 Shenmue games ever created.
These a few key points that must be taken into strong-consideration by the developers if they wish to keep an RPG series growing healthily and strong. I'm also pretty sure that there are one or two other points to, but these come ontop of the list as 'top priorities'. Without these key factors, you could not possibly have in your hands a 'True RPG', like Zelda, just like Final Fantasy.
These are the points that I feel best 'define' what RPG's are all about.
If you have anything else to add then by all means please do so.
Surely I can't have got them all....??
Page:
You may all be hooked-to the latest Notable Election right now, but i'm sure there are still some of you out there who wouldn't mind taking 2 or 3 minutes to read what I have to say now would you? :)
Role Playing Games (RPG's for short) have fast become one of the most-loved gaming genres, right up there with First Person Shooters of the likes of GoldenEye, Half-Life and Halo.
Success of the long-running individual series' like Nintendo's 'The Legend of Zelda' and Square's 'Final Fantasy' (to name as only 2) have played a huge part in helping to turn this genre into the success it is today. Of course, there are, have been, and always will be many more equally great Role Playing Games to make this the case on a long-term basis, but these 2 stand-out from the rest as undoubtabely the most-succesfull of the lot.
What makes RPG's so great??
No-one can easily pin-point what makes them so much greater than all those Sport Sims, Real Time Strategies and Platforming greats, but whatever it is in that 'winning formula', it has worked out like a real treat.
But if you think you can pin-point all the plus points about the RPG Genre then by all means, go ahead and try it! I will wait all year if I have to....! :D
There are some elements of games that are required in order to make RPG's the success' they always seem to turn-out to be. Without these, an RPG just wouldn't be! So, with that in mind, how do you correctly define what an RPG is all about, with what is required to create a new 'Chart Topper'??
'Magic' seems to be something that crops up in just about every single RPG. Zelda has it, so does Final Fantasy, even LBA and the newly released Lost Kingdom.
But what about Shenmue?? Where's the magic in that?
From what I can see there is no 'obvious' magic like spells and the like, but there is the magic within that helps to bring this story-adventure to life.
So maybe magic spells and potions aren't all that neccesary despite what we may have at first expected.
'Items' are neccesity's to every hero in RPG's alone. But just because a game like Super Mario Bros. 3 envolves Item Collecting, does it really make that an RPG now?? No. Of course not. But without items, the heros would fail in numorous attempts to overcome their obstacles and venge-off the main bad guy to save the Princess.
Could Link have saved Hyrule without the Master Sword?? And what about Twinsen with his Magic Ball?? These are definitley required in order to make an RPG great, without a doubt. But they can also pop-up in other genres too.
'Interactivity' in my view, has to be one of the key factors in making these games so great. Shenmue is a great example, and the interactivity in this game not only vastly increased it's size, but made the game a lot 'closer to real-life' with the buying and working elements included.
Without being able to talk to the locals of Hyrule, Link may have never been able to find all that he was looking for. The friendly advice from others can prove vital in the biggest and most complex of Adventure games.
A BIG 'must include' sticker goes here. *SPLAT*
The 'Enviroments' themselves play a big part in the Adventure. If they are too small and have very little complexity and interactivity in them then the game will soon become short-lived and boring. Even the little things like being able to slash through the bushes in Zelda helps to add to the greatness of these games.
Heros need spaces to explore - and we're not just talking Car Parks here!
With bigger lands and lots to see and do, the game just seems to grow and grow.
A decent 'Storyline' is always required in-order to make any game succesfull. Even if it's the same old 'Save the Princess' thing all-over-again, as long as it's got plenty of action and adventure in it, it'll be a success.
Storylines in Zelda are always the same, and look where that series is today!
But if several adventures follow straight on from one-to-the-other then it's highly-possible that the series will start to die of dullness.
Shenmue is still only 2 games long - with a 3rd on the way. It seems that these games will follow-on from the last, and in order to keep the series great, I believe that we will be lucky to see more than 5 Shenmue games ever created.
These a few key points that must be taken into strong-consideration by the developers if they wish to keep an RPG series growing healthily and strong. I'm also pretty sure that there are one or two other points to, but these come ontop of the list as 'top priorities'. Without these key factors, you could not possibly have in your hands a 'True RPG', like Zelda, just like Final Fantasy.
These are the points that I feel best 'define' what RPG's are all about.
If you have anything else to add then by all means please do so.
Surely I can't have got them all....??
Role Playing Games (RPG's for short) have fast become one of the most-loved gaming genres, right up there with First Person Shooters of the likes of GoldenEye, Half-Life and Halo.
Success of the long-running individual series' like Nintendo's 'The Legend of Zelda' and Square's 'Final Fantasy' (to name as only 2) have played a huge part in helping to turn this genre into the success it is today. Of course, there are, have been, and always will be many more equally great Role Playing Games to make this the case on a long-term basis, but these 2 stand-out from the rest as undoubtabely the most-succesfull of the lot.
What makes RPG's so great??
No-one can easily pin-point what makes them so much greater than all those Sport Sims, Real Time Strategies and Platforming greats, but whatever it is in that 'winning formula', it has worked out like a real treat.
But if you think you can pin-point all the plus points about the RPG Genre then by all means, go ahead and try it! I will wait all year if I have to....! :D
There are some elements of games that are required in order to make RPG's the success' they always seem to turn-out to be. Without these, an RPG just wouldn't be! So, with that in mind, how do you correctly define what an RPG is all about, with what is required to create a new 'Chart Topper'??
'Magic' seems to be something that crops up in just about every single RPG. Zelda has it, so does Final Fantasy, even LBA and the newly released Lost Kingdom.
But what about Shenmue?? Where's the magic in that?
From what I can see there is no 'obvious' magic like spells and the like, but there is the magic within that helps to bring this story-adventure to life.
So maybe magic spells and potions aren't all that neccesary despite what we may have at first expected.
'Items' are neccesity's to every hero in RPG's alone. But just because a game like Super Mario Bros. 3 envolves Item Collecting, does it really make that an RPG now?? No. Of course not. But without items, the heros would fail in numorous attempts to overcome their obstacles and venge-off the main bad guy to save the Princess.
Could Link have saved Hyrule without the Master Sword?? And what about Twinsen with his Magic Ball?? These are definitley required in order to make an RPG great, without a doubt. But they can also pop-up in other genres too.
'Interactivity' in my view, has to be one of the key factors in making these games so great. Shenmue is a great example, and the interactivity in this game not only vastly increased it's size, but made the game a lot 'closer to real-life' with the buying and working elements included.
Without being able to talk to the locals of Hyrule, Link may have never been able to find all that he was looking for. The friendly advice from others can prove vital in the biggest and most complex of Adventure games.
A BIG 'must include' sticker goes here. *SPLAT*
The 'Enviroments' themselves play a big part in the Adventure. If they are too small and have very little complexity and interactivity in them then the game will soon become short-lived and boring. Even the little things like being able to slash through the bushes in Zelda helps to add to the greatness of these games.
Heros need spaces to explore - and we're not just talking Car Parks here!
With bigger lands and lots to see and do, the game just seems to grow and grow.
A decent 'Storyline' is always required in-order to make any game succesfull. Even if it's the same old 'Save the Princess' thing all-over-again, as long as it's got plenty of action and adventure in it, it'll be a success.
Storylines in Zelda are always the same, and look where that series is today!
But if several adventures follow straight on from one-to-the-other then it's highly-possible that the series will start to die of dullness.
Shenmue is still only 2 games long - with a 3rd on the way. It seems that these games will follow-on from the last, and in order to keep the series great, I believe that we will be lucky to see more than 5 Shenmue games ever created.
These a few key points that must be taken into strong-consideration by the developers if they wish to keep an RPG series growing healthily and strong. I'm also pretty sure that there are one or two other points to, but these come ontop of the list as 'top priorities'. Without these key factors, you could not possibly have in your hands a 'True RPG', like Zelda, just like Final Fantasy.
These are the points that I feel best 'define' what RPG's are all about.
If you have anything else to add then by all means please do so.
Surely I can't have got them all....??
RPGs also have stats in a lot of the time. Even Zelda has an ever expanding health bar (in the form of the hearts, where you can find whole heart containers or quarter haert containers). Also, most good RPGs have beards in. Beards on Dwarfs usually. But on wizards too. Beards are essential. And kobolds. And elves (Link was even thought ot be an elf boy at some point...) Oh, and goblin things obviously...
RPG's also tend to take continuity into account, which I've always been keen on. In other words, RPG games aren't always split into levels or missions... preferring to consist of one massive, in-depth level.
I like that in a game.
I like that in a game.
I suppose what defines an RPG for me is the evolution of the lead character. He/she starts off weak and evolves into a "great one".
Project Ego promises to take this kind of thing further, where the lead character will change depending on what actually happens to him as you play through the game.
If he spends a lot of time in the sun, he will acquire a sun tan. If he is injured in a fight, he will retain the scars of battle. If he kills another well-loved hero, he will be viewed as a villain. Etc.
Project Ego promises to take this kind of thing further, where the lead character will change depending on what actually happens to him as you play through the game.
If he spends a lot of time in the sun, he will acquire a sun tan. If he is injured in a fight, he will retain the scars of battle. If he kills another well-loved hero, he will be viewed as a villain. Etc.
That's what I like about them too, you can do almost anything, just about where and when you like. Especially in Shenmue - that game has to be one of my favourite RPG's ever as it's so close to real life as we know it!
I also like how a character evolves in the game too.
Just like in Zelda: OoT, when Link travels through time 7 years to become something more of a REAL Hero-like character.
There is so much, it's too hard to name all that defines the perfect RPG's.
I also like how a character evolves in the game too.
Just like in Zelda: OoT, when Link travels through time 7 years to become something more of a REAL Hero-like character.
There is so much, it's too hard to name all that defines the perfect RPG's.
Bear in mind that Zelda and Final Fantasy are very different games.
a) Zelda uses real time battles, yet FF has more strategical turn based ones.
b) Zelda contains puzzles. FF does not.
c) Zelda is slightly more linear than FF.
d) Zelda can fully explore his surroundings, like jump and climb and stuff. Final Fantasy has exploration, but a lot of the time it is more iteracting with the scnery.
e) FF has stronger storylines than Zelda games. Zelda has more fighting and exploring where as every second of FF is revolving around the story.
f) FF has more cut-scenes, lending them a more movie-like feel. Zelda is a lot less movie-like.
g) FF portrays a fantasy setting, yet also tries tom make it look real. Zelda doesn't try or want to look real.
Well, that's my view. Both are RPG's but follow very different paths in the genre.
a) Zelda uses real time battles, yet FF has more strategical turn based ones.
b) Zelda contains puzzles. FF does not.
c) Zelda is slightly more linear than FF.
d) Zelda can fully explore his surroundings, like jump and climb and stuff. Final Fantasy has exploration, but a lot of the time it is more iteracting with the scnery.
e) FF has stronger storylines than Zelda games. Zelda has more fighting and exploring where as every second of FF is revolving around the story.
f) FF has more cut-scenes, lending them a more movie-like feel. Zelda is a lot less movie-like.
g) FF portrays a fantasy setting, yet also tries tom make it look real. Zelda doesn't try or want to look real.
Well, that's my view. Both are RPG's but follow very different paths in the genre.
Pinpointing the success of RPG's:
They are great value for money, tey take ages to completeyet you never tire of them and they keep you gripped.
They are great value for money, tey take ages to completeyet you never tire of them and they keep you gripped.
Fantasy used to be a key element which defined RPGs, but with Shenmue I&II and the standard of modern graphics, perhaps this is changing?
I think we are seeing more and more RPG elements being integrated into action/adventures - maybe the two genres are merging?
I think we are seeing more and more RPG elements being integrated into action/adventures - maybe the two genres are merging?
RPG means Role Playing Game - where you take up the role of a character. If you look at it from this angle, Max Payne, Metal Gear, Mario, Toca Race Driver and even SSx Tricky where you pick your character and form friendships and rivalries; all of these are 'Role Playing Games'.
RPG means Role Playing Game - where you take up the role of a character. If you look at it from this angle, Max Payne, Metal Gear, Mario, Toca Race Driver and even SSx Tricky where you pick your character and form friendships and rivalries; all of these are 'Role Playing Games'.
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