Lancet Jades
06-10-2004, 02:32 AM
Various major componenets that make up most any video game have special parameters which make the game an RPG:
Battle and Equipment System: A system that utilizes various attributes and abilities to create an intricate battle system. Much more complex than other games, it often requires manipulation of a system of strengths and weaknesses to defeat many foes. Another aspect is a system of equipment, used to alter statistical parameters such as Strength, Defense, Speed, etc and/or provide various abilities which are used to create an intricate battle system through which numerous strategies can be implemented against enemies. "Leveling up" your characters in some way is also a key element of RPGs, compared to the adventure-genre (although as time goes on, the distinction grows more and more blurred). More often than not, this is the kep distinction that makes a game an RPG.
Story: An involved storyline. There isnt really any set template or parameters that need to be followed, although usually, RPGs are noted as having much more complex stories than other game types.
As for various sub-genres, let's look at the basics of each, as well as popular examples of each. (Note: Some RPGs can be listed in multiple categories)
Mainline RPGs: The basic RPG. It has characters going around looking for the antagonist. Battle takes place in a seperate window. Commands are entered, and then the character attacks. This is the basic form of the console RPG, but not the only form.
Examples: Final Fantasy 1 to 10, Breath of Fire 1 to 4, Grandia 1 and 2, Tales of Destiny 1 and 2, Star Ocean 2 and 3
Action RPGs: Unlike mainline RPGs, action RPGs mainly have a different battle system. Instead of turn-based warfare, actions and attacks are carried out in an enviroment which the character is free to move about in. The transition into battle is merely enemies appearing and your character taking out their weapon. Also, the range of equipment and abilities is usually less than that of mainline RPGs. Story and characters show no real change, as the key difference is the battle system.
Examples: Kingdom Hearts, Mana series, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Aria of Sorrow
'Monster raising' RPGs: In these RPGs, a single person raises a team of battlers, usually monsters of some sort. The protagonist doesnt actually do any fighting, but rather has his team battle for him. The battle system incorpoerates the entire team into it one way or another. As for equipment, it is usually very limited, mainly to items. Weapons and armor are usually not included, at least not in great number. Storylines usually involve the protagonist striving to become the best "monster raiser" in the world, but ends up also involving a quest to stop some bad guys. The story is usually bland compared to other RPG types.
Examples: Pokemon, Jade Cocoon series, Digimon 3, Monster Rancher series
Dungeon Crawlers: Actually, this is more of a subtype of the other types. Emphasis is on battling through dungeons and collecting items and abilities. This is often times at the cost of storyline and character development quality, though not always. Dungeon crawlers can either be similar to mainline or action RPGs in terms of some elements. Although it can be argued that strategy RPGs have the "dungeon crawling" element, their battle system is what sets them apart. Whether a game is a mainline/action RPG, or a dungeon crawler, is more up to personal opinion than anything else, although lackluster storyline quality and a much greater emphasis on dungeons usually indicates them.
Examples (Mainline-type): Grandia Xtreme, Breath of Fire 5
Examples (Action-type): FF Crystal Chronicles, .hack series, Dark Cloud series
Strategy RPGs: Strategy RPGs usually involve a large party, or even army, of characters, and when entering a battle, you pick a few of the troops to actually participate. Although they can be similar to dungeon crawlers in that the emphasis is on battles, they are usually much more difficult, and have a larger assortment of items, as well as skill and job system. The storyline is usually much more deep and involved, with dozens of well developed characters and plot twists.
Examples: FF Tactics, Tactics Ogre, Disgaea, Fire Emblem, La Pucelle, Phantom Brave
MMORPG (Mass Multiplayer Online RPG): A MMORPG is an RPG played online with thousands of other players. Characters are usually created from several different elements, and profession is chosen. The player embarks upon the world, completing quests here and there, and building up their character's levels and abilities. A key difference from other types of RPGs is the lack of a large central story.
Examples: FF11, Everquest, Neverwinter Nights, Ragnarok Online, Runescape
Simulation RPGs: Different from most RPGs, simulation RPGs simulate something, while retaining RPG characteristics, such as an inventory, building up a character, etc.
Examples: Harvest Moon series
Battle and Equipment System: A system that utilizes various attributes and abilities to create an intricate battle system. Much more complex than other games, it often requires manipulation of a system of strengths and weaknesses to defeat many foes. Another aspect is a system of equipment, used to alter statistical parameters such as Strength, Defense, Speed, etc and/or provide various abilities which are used to create an intricate battle system through which numerous strategies can be implemented against enemies. "Leveling up" your characters in some way is also a key element of RPGs, compared to the adventure-genre (although as time goes on, the distinction grows more and more blurred). More often than not, this is the kep distinction that makes a game an RPG.
Story: An involved storyline. There isnt really any set template or parameters that need to be followed, although usually, RPGs are noted as having much more complex stories than other game types.
As for various sub-genres, let's look at the basics of each, as well as popular examples of each. (Note: Some RPGs can be listed in multiple categories)
Mainline RPGs: The basic RPG. It has characters going around looking for the antagonist. Battle takes place in a seperate window. Commands are entered, and then the character attacks. This is the basic form of the console RPG, but not the only form.
Examples: Final Fantasy 1 to 10, Breath of Fire 1 to 4, Grandia 1 and 2, Tales of Destiny 1 and 2, Star Ocean 2 and 3
Action RPGs: Unlike mainline RPGs, action RPGs mainly have a different battle system. Instead of turn-based warfare, actions and attacks are carried out in an enviroment which the character is free to move about in. The transition into battle is merely enemies appearing and your character taking out their weapon. Also, the range of equipment and abilities is usually less than that of mainline RPGs. Story and characters show no real change, as the key difference is the battle system.
Examples: Kingdom Hearts, Mana series, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Aria of Sorrow
'Monster raising' RPGs: In these RPGs, a single person raises a team of battlers, usually monsters of some sort. The protagonist doesnt actually do any fighting, but rather has his team battle for him. The battle system incorpoerates the entire team into it one way or another. As for equipment, it is usually very limited, mainly to items. Weapons and armor are usually not included, at least not in great number. Storylines usually involve the protagonist striving to become the best "monster raiser" in the world, but ends up also involving a quest to stop some bad guys. The story is usually bland compared to other RPG types.
Examples: Pokemon, Jade Cocoon series, Digimon 3, Monster Rancher series
Dungeon Crawlers: Actually, this is more of a subtype of the other types. Emphasis is on battling through dungeons and collecting items and abilities. This is often times at the cost of storyline and character development quality, though not always. Dungeon crawlers can either be similar to mainline or action RPGs in terms of some elements. Although it can be argued that strategy RPGs have the "dungeon crawling" element, their battle system is what sets them apart. Whether a game is a mainline/action RPG, or a dungeon crawler, is more up to personal opinion than anything else, although lackluster storyline quality and a much greater emphasis on dungeons usually indicates them.
Examples (Mainline-type): Grandia Xtreme, Breath of Fire 5
Examples (Action-type): FF Crystal Chronicles, .hack series, Dark Cloud series
Strategy RPGs: Strategy RPGs usually involve a large party, or even army, of characters, and when entering a battle, you pick a few of the troops to actually participate. Although they can be similar to dungeon crawlers in that the emphasis is on battles, they are usually much more difficult, and have a larger assortment of items, as well as skill and job system. The storyline is usually much more deep and involved, with dozens of well developed characters and plot twists.
Examples: FF Tactics, Tactics Ogre, Disgaea, Fire Emblem, La Pucelle, Phantom Brave
MMORPG (Mass Multiplayer Online RPG): A MMORPG is an RPG played online with thousands of other players. Characters are usually created from several different elements, and profession is chosen. The player embarks upon the world, completing quests here and there, and building up their character's levels and abilities. A key difference from other types of RPGs is the lack of a large central story.
Examples: FF11, Everquest, Neverwinter Nights, Ragnarok Online, Runescape
Simulation RPGs: Different from most RPGs, simulation RPGs simulate something, while retaining RPG characteristics, such as an inventory, building up a character, etc.
Examples: Harvest Moon series