120

RPG : An Analysis

StarJet | April 07, 2008 | Blog | Misc 
Jason Cook, an editor of ThatVideoGameBlog has done a quite interesting analysis on RPG games as a genre. It's like a major review for all RPG games. Though what it says wouldn't apply to all RPG games, it still is a good read.
Role-playing games are most closely related to books in the video game world. As a result, graphics are of little consequence in the genre. Go back and play FFVII and tell me it’s not a compelling game. Do the graphics look dated? Of course they do. But does it matter in the least? No way. A good story could be paired with graphics from 1987 and the game would still shine.

Without a story, the RPG means nothing. As a RPG players, we understand there will be a good amount of reading/controller setting down in order to let the story unfold. What make this practice go from unbearable to engrossing, is the story. I would say no genre relies on a single element of games more than RPGs do on stories – they’re that important.

Although the genre has been bogged down by the “save the world from an ancient evil” storyline over the years, it’s the liberties and augmentations writers take that make stories memorable. Almost every Final Fantasy has the same story – but deviations and twists make them unique in their own way. Most movies are this way too. There is almost no original plot out there anymore, but there is still a lot writers can do with old ones.

News Story attached to:
11 comments | go to source (www.thatvideogameblog.com) | Add to favorites! favourite this article | send to friend | add alt source
Images about this story:
rpg_an_analysis rpg_an_analysis
rpg_an_analysis rpg_an_analysis rpg_an_analysis
Register as a member to subscribe comments.

Comments with -10 or lower "thumbs" are removed from display.

  • 2 thumbs!
    Archangel | April 08, 2008
    Ahh RPGs, how I love you. If anything, it seems the RPGs with the most dated graphics are some of the best. ie: FFIV, FFVII, Breath Of Fire, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, etc.
    • 0 thumbs!
      Final Blade | April 08, 2008
      But they are also the best, so that tells you something.
  • 0 thumbs!
    chautemoc | April 08, 2008
    Without rpgs my life would be approximately 10x less awesome.
    Sweet post.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Euphoric | April 08, 2008
    RPGs are the greatest genre of game ever created. They are what gaming is all about, escape and experiencing something different.

    And the comment about FFXII is so true. The graphics don't even matter because with RPG's it's about the story and how you experience the story.
    • 0 thumbs!
      StarJet | April 08, 2008
      quote
      FFXII
      You mean FFVII? Coz FFXII doesn't have crap graphics.
      And anyway, yeah, the graphics is actually not a problem for a good RPG.
      • -1 thumbs!
        Final Blade | April 08, 2008
        Even still FF12 was horrible. Good graphics or not, it needs a good story and it clearly didn't have it.
        • 0 thumbs!
          StarJet | April 08, 2008
          I've only seen screens of FF12.
        • 0 thumbs!
          Chris7689 | April 09, 2008
          i actually thought the story was pretty good. i put alot of hours in that game and all in all i was pleased with it. true enough that it wasnt mind blowing and got confusing in parts but i liekd it. i definitly wouldnt say horrible. aside from the story i really liekd the gameplay.
  • 0 thumbs!
    tallteen86 | April 08, 2008
    I saw the FPS article too. This guy is pretty spot-on with this RPG article.

    Yep, Story > Length > Music > Graphics.

    Well, actually, I could sacrifice some length, for better music or graphics. But yeah, a 20 hour RPG would just seem too damned short....Unless it is full of replay value.

    Much of my fave music is either from RPGs, or animes...

    As far as repetitive stories go, yeah, Squeenix is pretty much the king of that. But they do a good job with their RPG (Particularly FF) games. Yeah, sure, for the most part the plotlines are the same, they are fairly enjoyable, and their games have top notch music and graphics. That is the reason they're popular with RPG fans.

    Well, that, and the fact everyone anticipates the sequels to the popular game franchises >_>
  • 0 thumbs!
    theundertakergonzo | April 08, 2008
    How i love RPGS, the guy gives them a pretty much good assumption and i can't agree with him. RPGS have to be in my favourite games i mean they never get boring and there hours upon hours of pure fun. There nothing more then awesome.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Final Blade | April 08, 2008
    LMAO at the thumbs down crew on my post. I guess they don't like those games

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.

Submit Newshelp

Top Contributors

This Month
Gothic Girl 2405 pts
chautemoc 1355 pts
Deathsythe 1081 pts
Tyranitar24 1069 pts
Akira_EX 847 pts
Silver Mir.. 830 pts
Cruxis Mana 297 pts
Krunal 259 pts
Final Blade 251 pts
tallteen86 239 pts
All-Time
Gothic Girl 16664 pts
Krunal 12070 pts
Linkin Par.. 9940 pts
Final Blade 8857 pts
xsynergyx 8079 pts
Silver Mir.. 8016 pts
mistermostyn 7868 pts
chautemoc 7807 pts
ITANI 6350 pts
Akira_EX 6027 pts

Stats

Today
Published News: 1
Comments: 13
Points Given: 24
Users Registered: 0
This Month
Published News: 530
Comments: 4983
Points Given: 9415
Users Registered: 34
All Time
Published News: 10209
Comments: 69357
Points Given: 164264
Users Registered: 509

Conventions / Trade Shows

(0.1616/d/aeon)