Is Legend of Zelda an RPG?

[NorthernChaosGod]

Considering all Zeldas are part of a multiversal tree - that does not make sense by the way, even with Link's reincarnation - he has character development as there is much to tell about his character.

It totally makes sense if you read the official timeline.

[Jiro]

The timeline is still smurfing insane but it gives you a decent context.

[Laddy]

Zelda has little in relation to the pen-and-paper games the genre is based on and was not formed from the elements found in those games.

Therefore, it's not an RPG.

[Pumpkin]

The Zelda games I've played I would classify as an Action/Adventure game

[KentaRawr!]

I wouldn't really take story elements as being indicative as to whether or not a game's an RPG, or that you play a role. There are lots of games that have both of those that are never classified as being RPGs (like most Point and Click adventures.) The same goes for things like inventory management and the acquisition of items, skills, and health. There are lots of games which have all of those that we typically don't call RPGs. Metal Gear Solid, for example, has the player's inventory capacity and maximum health increase after every boss fight. The first four Metal Gear games (MG1, MG2, MGS, MGGB) play a lot like Zelda but with stealth, but we tend not to call it an RPG.

What we'd call RPG elements pervade many other genres, so I totally agree with the earlier statement that RPGs are a spectrum and not a dichotomy.

[Greatermaximus]

This.

http://home.eyesonff.com/general-gam...ml#post3370931

[black orb]

>>> Zelda 2 was an RPG right?..