What makes an RPG an RPG?

[staticneuron]

I have always thought of games like zelda and shadow of the colossus "Epic" games. It' is obvious that RPG's do not just define games in which you play a role. I have started to think of it as a game which focuses on numbers and level progressions. The sheer fact that you can find weapons or increase life doesn't really seperate a title from an action game.

I would like to say the most defining aspect is the weight the story of most RPG's has on your characters and progression. Not only just to serve as emotional burdens but to also affect the gameplay. I choose to see these games, Such as the final fantasies, elder scrolls and WoW's, to have an inescable link to strong number system and storyline. To excel at these games all it really takes is an understanding of numbers and math, which will always keep you on the winning edge.