How Do You Define "RPG"?

[Wolf Kanno]

This is a difficult question and sadly I don't have the time to do a complete breakdown analysis but basically I would say Tabletop is the original form of RPG and a RPG is any game that has heavy elements attributed to it. Zelda is an RPG but its an "Action RPG" with a stronger emphasis on platforming and wild combat than stats (see Cz post for my reasoning) IV is a "JRPG" with heavy emphasis on story and use of predetermined characters. DQI and FFI are perfect examples of "Traditional RPGs" as they are designed closely to be like table top RPGs with heavy use of stats to determine factors in the games.

Western RPGs focus on choice and freedom while Eastern focus on stories. Both deal with empowering the character and making them, feel like someone else its just done in both cultures respective philosophies.Both have their faults, I feel western RPGs have a lack of immersion due to too much freedom and I quickly lose interest cause I see no point in doing the myriad of choices. They lack incentive to me cause even the main story is treated like an optional side quest. JRPGS have story and characters to act as an incentive but lack freedom of choice making the player feel more like observers rather than part of the experience. Not too mention that side quests have nothing more than statistical relevence most of the time and rarely impact the main story.

Bluntly, RPGs are games that allow the player to assume a role and feature a major influence of the source material (Table Top RPGS) within them. After that it breaks down into splintered niches.