Is Zelda an RPG or an Adventure Game?

[Vincent Valentine]

Adventure game. I would classify a genuine RPG as a game that relies on numerical calculations, strategy and level ehancment to govern it's basic battle system. Buying items and upgrading some equipment in your inventory hardly makes a game an RPG, at least not in my view.

*votes for the first option*

Pure adventure games, such as the Gabriel Knight series, Leisure Suit Larry, King's Quest series (not MOE), are quite rare, if not totally unexistent these days. (Actually, I think the last official PURE adventure game was Gabriel Knight 3).

If you want to be fussy, those kind of games are technically referred to as Point & Click games. A basic "Adventure" game is one where you lead your character around your enviroment, completing whatever tasks the game sets forth for you. Essentially what all the Zelda games have been, right from their conception.