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Why We Hate RPGs

June 06, 2008 in Blog comments 34

The RPG genre has brought us some of the greatest games in video game history. Series such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest have shaped the genre into what it is today. But with the recent lack of originality, multiple spin-offs, and stale storylines, RPGs are just not as mystical as they once were. Theexplodingbarrel brings us their five reasons why they hate RPGs.

1. Turn-Based Combat

Turn-based combat was cool in 1987. Turn-based combat in 2008 is gut-wrenchingly boring. So lets get this straight, I have an Imp, a Wizard, and some pink blobby thing and we are all going to take turns either fighting, dodging, or spellcasting two lizard looking creatures. Combat consists of pressing a button and then watching pre-animated sequences of attack or magic until the evil lizards vaporize. Magic sequences can be fun to watch for the first few times, but then they become tedious necessities just to attack enemies. Want some more excitement? Some RPGs let players stack attacks so their is even less button pressing involved. Players literally watch one pre-animated sequence after another until someone is dead. Sounds thrilling doesn’t it?
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Most recently commented on by on Jun 10, 2008

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  • 0
    Final Blade Jun 7, 08
    I don't agree with Turn Based battle system on that list. It sounds like they rather play a MMO than a RPG.

    Text when was the last time RPG's had Text, in the Playstation days yes, but PS2 RPG's had voice overs if im correct so I don't get what they're talking about that.

    Nothing in the gaming world is original, rarely will you find a new game that has brought new stuff at the table that has never been done before.

    As a matter of fact I don't agree with any of the list. It seems they're ranting for the sake of ranting.
    • -1
      Existenz Jun 7, 08
      Turn based battle is bullshit, i mean just because its mystical and magical doesn't mean they should disobey the laws of a fight, no one in their right mind goes into a fight and says "you go first, hit me and then i'll hit you and we carry on until one of us is dead" RPG's that take on turn based fighting loses my interest because i know what a fight is and even if it is a human or a 6000ft monster the fight would always be the same and it wouldn't involve taking turns in an orderly fashion.
      • 0
        Miss Razz Jun 7, 08
        Since when were RPG battle systems going for realism though?
        • 0
          HisServant77 Jun 7, 08
          Hahaha, that would be a bit funny though to two people fighting like that in real life!

          Oh wait, I think I've seen it several times. A little comical, if done with some good one-liners in between.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Jun 7, 08
          Hahaha, that would be a bit funny though to two people fighting like that in real life!

          Oh wait, I think I've seen it several times. A little comical, if done with some good on-liners in between.
      • 0
        Final Blade Jun 8, 08
        Nikki since when was RPG's realistic in anyway? Thats right its not realistic hence why it has the shit in the game. If it was realistic in anyway RPG's would have been dead since the beginning.
  • 1
    Seeker X Jun 7, 08
    You could put a list of why to hate tons of other genres with reasons like these and you'd be right, of course you'd be disregarding the fans of the genre itself...not so likeable when someone does the same against your fav genre.

    Yes, I hate turn based gameplay, the constant sword fighting, and the such...not exactly gonna call them outright flaws just because I don't like it.
  • 0
    DusktoDawn Jun 7, 08
    Yessss!!

    Symphonia did not make those mistakes! ◎.◎
  • 3
    Bunnyburn Jun 7, 08
    There's nothing wrong with turn-based. There's nothing wrong with realtime either. It's all preference. Sure, since turn-based has been done so much, it seems boring unless a good twist is put in it. Turn-based isn't about reflexes and timing, it's about strategy and planning. Judging by the reasons suggested in this article, the writer has played maybe 2 TBRPGS ever.
  • 0
    MentallyUnstable Jun 7, 08
    I completely agree with Final Blade in that I don't agree with this list. FFXII wasn't turn-based, and although the prospect sounded promising, I completely missed it. Some things sort of make RPGs, and turn-based is one of those things(in my opinion). Real time is a gem, too.
  • 2
    Mario_1 Jun 7, 08
    Uh... There's nothing wrong with turn-based combat, unless it's that "Active Time Battle" crap. Real-time combat and turn-based combat are both potentially awesome, but in-between just sucks.

    I don't see this list making much sense.
  • 0
    Supernouva Jun 7, 08
    Well, I've played FFX about 5 times over, and I'd gladly play it again. It does get a little frustrating that the turn based system limits being able to attack and defend, but I got over it. Like someone mentioned above, it's all about strategy, and that's what I liked about the turn-based system, it made you plan ahead for a battle because anything could happen.
  • 1
    TurMoiL911 Jun 7, 08
    quote
    4. Killing Small Woodland Creatures (Slave to the Grind)
    What the hell ? I would go out of my way for a game like that.

    Is that wrong ?
  • 1
    Seproth Jun 7, 08
    WE don't... -_-

    Although I always thought turn based combat was a bit of a turnoff on buying rpg's. It was great... but it's time to move on. I think they were turn based for lack of a better option.

    Modern RPGs shouldn't be more turn based then KOTOR imo.
  • 0
    ali3n Jun 7, 08
    Number 5 is a pretty biased reason, they act as though every game from other genre is oozing with originality and interesting new ideas.
  • 0
    Gamesta100 Jun 7, 08
    Personally turn based RPG's are my favourite.
  • 0
    ryu750 Jun 7, 08
    Ive always called them STRATEGIC BASED RPGs not Turn based a lot of todays players hear turn based and don't even know what that means.
  • 1
    Zero and X Jun 7, 08
    How about telling us why we should care? I love rpgs and this article isnt gonna make me hate them suddenly.
  • 0
    Zeon I Jun 7, 08
    Killing small Woodland creatures is the main reason why I play RPGs. Endless dialouge can go to hell, though.
  • 0
    Deathsythe Jun 7, 08
    Poo on this article, RPGs kick ass. They can take you into another world, letting you escape your boring mundane life. Plus I have hardly found an RPG that wasn't of epic proportions.
  • 1
    Krunal Jun 7, 08
    Hate? I love RPG's, anyone that knows me knows that I'm a big RPG fan. I must say I disagree with every point that this article makes.
  • 0
    Kevin Jun 7, 08
    The Battle System in Tales of Symphonia was really good. That was also the only real RPG I got into.
  • 0
    Dance Floor Killah Jun 7, 08
    Eh, turn-based or realtime, I like them both. But I certainly don't hate RPGs.
  • -2
    kik36 Jun 8, 08
    They were talking about how great the voice acting in Oblivion is........obviously they don't have a frickin' clue wtf they are talking about.
    • 0
      Slumpy monkey Jun 8, 08
      WTF you on? The voice acting was AWESOME. Sure the voices were used over but the voices themselves were excelent. The emotion seems so real.
      • -1
        kik36 Jun 8, 08
        The emotions were real? The king was as emotional as a carboard box. Sorry but IMO when it comes down to any type of great voice acting, Oblivion dropped the ball HARD.
        • 0
          Seeker X Jun 8, 08
          Hahaha...Ok you're telling me that Patrick *bleep*ing Stewart does not know how to act at all. Next thing you'll tell me is that every other voice actor in the game was just as monotone as a '98 voice actor.
        • 0
          Zero and X Jun 9, 08
          Are you out of your mind!? Patrick Stewart is a fantastic actor, hes Captain Luke Picard from f'ing Star Trek you twat! I hate Star Trek but he made it at least enjoyable if he was on, thats how good he is.
        • -1
          Final Blade Jun 9, 08
          You obviously have no clue what your talking about. Have you even gave the slightly thought that maybe just maybe that was supposed to be how the king acted? No of course not, since you worry about the actor and not the script writing of the game.

          Patrick Stewart is a phenomenal actor.
        • -1
          kik36 Jun 9, 08
          Oh did I upset a few Picard fans?! Hey, I ain't slamming Patrick Stewart as an actor overall just his lame role in Oblivion. Sorry, but that game was dull. It's just an opinion ladies, no need to get upset.
        • -1
          Final Blade Jun 9, 08
          Again you fail to realize that maybe thats how the script meant for the king to act. It has nothing to do with Stewart.
  • 0
    DusktoDawn Jun 8, 08
    Only thing that I agree is the text...text....text.

    Why? I love to beat an rpg twice, and text can get boring..
  • 0
    yiyibowser Jun 9, 08
    I love RPG too but sometimes is to difficult and too realistic for me.
  • 0
    xegaldis Jun 10, 08
    some of that is actually pretty funny

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