jasonnc80 said:

I understand what you mean. I've played Baldur's Gate many many moons ago and know the differences in style. I'm definitely not a RPG junkie like some but I have played RPG's from every system since the NES. I just wouldn't really classify Oblivion in the same style as say Zelda. The character stat/skill and level progression is much more in tune to classic RPG fashion than Zelda. Sure the combat is more action oriented than a turn based JRPG but other than that I'd say the differences to traditional RPG's aren't that great. I'd say it's closer to an action-RPG then an adventure game.

I agree, I wouldn't classify Zelda and Oblivion into the exact same category. I was just using Zelda for a bit of an analogy.

A level-up system is an RPG element that is getting itself hooked into more and more games from FPS to Adventure these days so I don't believe it's quite the "Look! An RPG!" flag it used to be. I've played side-scrolling beat'em ups with level-up systems for example.

In the end, it's just my opinion so make of it what you will. I'm not about to tell you that my opinion is right and yours is wrong though. That's why I said that some of the titles people were listing above were interesting as in not what I'd consider a traditional RPG.

I agree with what you're saying. The line between RPG's and other genre's seems to be getting blurred more and more and I definitely see where you're coming from.

Definition of RPG = Role Playing Game

An RPG means a game that creates a story driven interactive world. Every game that is story driven and needs you to interact with the characters in that world in order to progress is an RPG. I think it is very possible to have a RPG that is soulely story driven, no action whatsoever. But ofcourse they need action.

But that's when the problem begins, the battlesystems! Turn-based, strategy, level-systems, menus, 1st person, 3rd person, realtime action, massive online multiplayer, amount of freedom... you get the idea.

If someone can come up with a better definition of RPG I would like to hear.

The general lack of Skies of Arcadia in these lists....disturbs me greatly.

Shenmue 1/2
Final Fantasy 6
Diablo 2
EVO: Search for Eden
Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past

I cant believe I havent posted on this thread.

Kingdom hearts 2
Kingdom hearts chains of memories
kingdom hearts
kingdom hearts birth by sleep
Final fantasy CC VII

leo-j is KH:BbS on of your favourites without being released yet? Same goes for CC:FFVII and don't tell me you know Japanese...

Anyway, On topic...

Final Fantasy IX
Kingdom Hearts 2
Final Fantasy X
Brave Story
Pokemon

Because if ranged combat was a little more effective it would be a First Person Shooter set in a fantasy world?

Then again i do classify games by their gameplay.  And gameplay only.

Is the action on a gird?  Then it's a strategy game. 

Is it menu based combat, RPG.

Is it an action RPG?  We used to call that an "Adventure" game. 

Adding expierence and levels doesn't make a game an RPG to me.  It seems everyone wants to classify an RPG as "A game where your character gets better as the game goes on" now a days.

I take it no one has played "Betrayal at Krondor".

Skies of Arcadia
System Shock (it was RPG of the year by some publications, so don't give me the "it's an FPS" line)
Betrayal at Krondor
Chrono Trigger
Planescape: Torment

I classify the Elder Scrolls games as RPGs, you take control of an avatar which you level over time and follow a role in a fantasy setting.
I would personally classify them as sandbox RPGs.

Also Kasz, Baldurs gate didnt have menu based combat yet that is probably the most recognised western RPG there is. Also arent adventure games the non-action RPGs? Like Myst and stuff.