Which is better in an RPG?

[Erdrick Holmes]

Personally I think gameplay matters most in an RPG. RPGs, like all games ever made, are designed to be played for fun. Put too much story in an RPG and you might wind up with having to watch long pointless boing cutscenes. I like my RPGs to have plenty of dungeons, lots of places to explore, a large world to romp around in, tons of things to do, lots of spells and skills to learn, etc etc etc. All the story an RPG really needs is 'There's a bad guy, go kill him to save the world' STORY END! I don't care about the relationship the characters have with eachother, I don't care about what Chatty McNonplayable is afraid of, I don't care who wants to stick who's hoo-hoo dilly in whoever's cha cha, I don't care about who wants to do what with his life after the big bad boss is defeated, I just don't care.

[NeoCracker]

I say story. While I won't keep playing an RPG if its gameplay sucks, decent gameplay is enough if its a good story.

[Flying Mullet]

Personally I think gameplay matters most in an RPG. RPGs, like all games ever made, are designed to be played for fun. Put too much story in an RPG and you might wind up with having to watch long pointless boing cutscenes. I like my RPGs to have plenty of dungeons, lots of places to explore, a large world to romp around in, tons of things to do, lots of spells and skills to learn, etc etc etc. All the story an RPG really needs is 'There's a bad guy, go kill him to save the world' STORY END! I don't care about the relationship the characters have with eachother, I don't care about what Chatty McNonplayable is afraid of, I don't care who wants to stick who's hoo-hoo dilly in whoever's cha cha, I don't care about who wants to do what with his life after the big bad boss is defeated, I just don't care.

My thoughts exactly.

[Roto13]

Gameplay is more important in almost any game. There are a few exceptions, such as Metal Gear Solid or Killer 7, but unless the story is a wonderful work of art like in those two, it's not important. (I know those examples aren't RPGs. :P)

[forgotten_fantasy]

Story is more important

[JKTrix]

Depends how it is set up. Most of the Final Fantasies and other traditional turn based games have incredibly dull gameplay, but they are remembered for their stories. Some other games may have a decent story, but have much more engaging gameplay--a recent example is Grandia 3.

'Video Games' are meant to have interesting gameplay, but RPGs and Adventure games like the Dreamfall series have always been an exception.

More and more games have been breaking from the traditional 'RPG' genre, like the 'action-RPG', and even more games are including 'RPG elements'. The 'ADD generation' of gamers need more than selecting commands from a menu in order to enjoy a game.

So, for an RPG in the traditional sense, Story is most important. If it has lame and uninspired Menu-based battles but a pretty interesting story, I can deal with it. If both the story and gameplay are equally lame, it's a drop in the bin.

On the other hand, if it is actually fun to play--regardless of the story--I would play it.

[Dreddz]

Gameplay is the answer for every genre.

[ljkkjlcm9]

well the original FF didn't have much story, the original Dragon Warrior didn't have much story...

I think gameplay is more important, because there are some games that I'll keep playing for hours doing nothing to do with the story, just because it's a fun game. FFV, I love the jobs and mastering them to get new abilities. It's my favorite part of the game, by far. FFVI however, is more for the story, but without that tons of characters with different abilities adding to the gameplay, I doubt it'd be as popular as it is.

THE JACKEL

[Bunny]

Story will not save a game that has horrendous gameplay. If the gameplay is extremely lacking, you will not give the game enough of a chance to see most of the story.

Gameplay wins.

[Ender]

The only thing I can't deal with is when a game has neither good gameplay or good story. I can deal with a shoddy story if the gameplay is challenging and appeals to my tastes--I'm a sucker for collecting and stat-building for example, and also love experimenting to find the most efficient way of accomplishing the same goals. And I can deal with pedestrian gameplay if the story is colorful and engaging.

[Peter_20]

I think gameplay matters the most, but a too ridiculous storyline can actually make an RPG pretty boring.

"Let's travel all the way back home with my super-duper wheelchair!
It won't last for too long up here."

This game has great gameplay?
Who cares?

[Craig]

The only thing I can't deal with is when a game has neither good gameplay or good story.

So, what you're saying is that you don't like games that have absolutley nothing going for them?

That's um, quite an interesting viewpoint.

[Peter_20]

The only thing I can't deal with is when a game has neither good gameplay or good story.

So, what you're saying is that you don't like games that have absolutley nothing going for them?

That's um, quite an interesting viewpoint.

A game with sucky gameplay and a sucky story could still have a legendary soundtrack, wonderful characters and great graphics.

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

Traditionally in RPGs, gameplay takes second fiddle to storyline, and I feel that this is how it should be.

Good gameplay is important, but RPGs are known for not having the most entertaining gameplay around. The story is what makes the games compelling and makes people want to play them (at least in theory). My standards for RPGs are generally a bit skewed because outside of the Tales of series, I generally expect a storyline to supersede gameplay in importance.

I'm not saying that gameplay isn't important, and its easily possible to have an RPG with a system that's too crappy to struggle through, but generally I'm far more forgiving with RPGs because the story is what is suppose to make the game. I tend to regard really fun gameplay as a plus in an RPG, not necessarily something requisite to enjoy the game.

And for the record, I enjoy long cutscenes so long as they aid in the telling of the plot. Because, you know, that's why I play RPGs. Plot.

[Ender]

The only thing I can't deal with is when a game has neither good gameplay or good story.

So, what you're saying is that you don't like games that have absolutley nothing going for them?

That's um, quite an interesting viewpoint.

A game with sucky gameplay and a sucky story could still have a legendary soundtrack and wonderful characters.

And don't forget the graphics!!!