I was thinking about this. Maybe my play of RPGs is severly limited but...

Why is it that there are very few current-era (ie, 1900s, 2000s) RPGs made? Whenever we see an RPG, we always see fantasy lands (Dragon Quest) or techno-era (Mass Effect) places, that always focus around going from town to town, with vast landscapes in the middle.

So that brings me to the question: how come oh-so very few RPGs have a central focus on one, or a small few number of towns? The sandbox genre (GTA) has explored the city concept in real-time action games, and has had incredible dividends on the concept, yet no one has ever made a Role Playing Game in the city. I don't understand it: it'd be so easy to make a hybrid GTA-esque ARPG that could wind up being really, really fun. Am I the only one that longs for a KOTOR in a small suburban city, driving cars rather than dragons, buying real food rather than fantasy potions?

And now, a tribute to the only game that ever came close to true city exploration (well, aside from Yakuza) in an RPG environment:

Because when people play RPG's we like to be thrown into a whole new world, also fantasy always makes sense with the kind of monster you fight.

If you want a game with incredible variety, try 'Terranigma' by Enix on the SNES, best game on Earth.

EDIT: On Terranigma you can develope every major city found on Earth. Full action based fantasy RPG at the same time, purely beautiful.

Already played Terranigma. Prefered it's predicessors Soul Blazer and IoG.

Illusions of Giah and Illusions of Time were nothing compared to the glory that is Terranigma, you're a mad man!

MAD MAN!!!!!! MAD MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have it already, its call the sims. ^_^

Okay I know not exactly an rpg but think about it.. You gain 1 lvl your now a super punk who can hit people with a hammer for +3 damage? Blah.

 QUOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW EarthBound is a great JRPG 

Man I love finding people who appreciate this rare gem as much as it should be.

I can see it now...


A Taxi Cab draws near!
Command?

Fight
Hail     <
Member
Run

No response.

Taxi Cab begins accelerating toward you.

Fight
Hail    
Member
Run     <

Your attempt to run has failed.

Taxi Cab hits you dealing 5714 points of damage.

Your entire party has fallen.

Retry?
Yes.
No.   <

Hmm, Vampire the Masquerade: Bllodlines is basically an urban RPG (a very good one at that). But the genre is severely lacking as you say!

I think Saints Row was pretty close to what you're talking about. You usually had some sort of party/gang with you most of the time. It was more of a Western RPG though. Where you could go just about any where and you had sidequests: Escort Service, Become a Pimp, etc...