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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.

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  • 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!
    the undertaker gonzo | 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

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