In a way that there is no role to be played or a shoe to be filled. Story wise.

Do you feel like you are controlling a person in Dark Souls ? It's just that avatar with no personality. Sure, some RPG let you choose how to respond or what to say... from a predetermined choices. So much for a not fixed story path.

Character creation sacrifice all story and character development so you can insert your created character into the game. It's very hollow.

Combat looks a bit too chaotic, but I'm still very hyped.

That's a very bad generalization, I think. Like in Bioshock, or Half Life, your avatar in Dark Souls is a puppet of fate. Still, small traits of personality can be found, especially when interacting with Solaire or the Onion Knight. They're both fond of chatting with you. You can also choose to attack then, thus make your character an agressive one.

You can also express yourself through gestures.

In Bioware games, your avatar has indeed predetermined choices, but that doesn't mean anything. You can be a straight up asshole in Dragon Age: Origins, or you can be a gentle knight; and people interacts with you regarding your attitude.

That's not true.

One by one.

Yes, That's one way of role playing. Still, predetermined choices for a predetermined stories, You never created any of those "personalities". Without mentioning how unfocused, conflict and nonsensical those choices make the character to be, most of time. No matter the choices.

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That's why I said "character that you attach to". Have you ever wondered why RPGs try to offer the most complex and deepest story ? Role playing is an element of a good story in games, which is all about interaction. Its measurement is not clear and subjective though. RPG is also " to take the role of other character" not only " make a character of your own" and that, sir, requires good writing and emotion involved. I assure you this is the rarest form of role playing in the industry. And, in theory, it can be included in any game

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Nope, YOU are insane xD, XIII ,which you refered to, offers different set of roles for every character, you can be commando, ravager, Sentinel, Medic ,Synergist, Saboteur, forgot about that little detail ? furthermore, you can never level up all of those during your ordinary playthrough you need to choose. And Why choose only one example. How about X's massive sphere grid ? X-2's and LR job system ? cherry picking ?

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All the other unfruitful sentences in the end, These are all elements of RPG, that are usually used in other genres. I have no idea why anyone one would think otherwise. especially evolving battle system.

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And I think you have a narrow vision of what an RPG is. :)

It looks fine, just setting expectations accordingly and will get around to it some time after release.

I've never played one that doesn't fit.

RPG is sort of a loaded term these days. The genre has mostly merged with every other genre in order to enrich the game play. The only kind of games that are not really roleplaying are mechanic based puzzlers.

-Leveling point based systems
-Taking on a role of either created or pre-determined characters
-story driven to some extent
-micromanaging
-Some kind of center gameplay/fighting mechanic

a lot of games have these traits so the lines between what is an RPG and what isn't is admittedly blurred. Nevertheless, FFXV is an Action JRPG