Speaking of Zelda, is it an RPG?

[Vyk]

I wouldn't even consider Zelda an action game. But I am tempted to consider it an RPG. Which is weird because while thinking deeper, God of War plays about the same as a Zelda game. Upgrading weapons, items, and abilities as well as health and magic. But I'd never consider a God Of War game an RPG. Same with any of the other examples. So I can't consider Zelda an RPG. I think its just because its set in a fantasy world and has a really slow pace its more RPG'ish. But like I said, Its definitely not. And neither is it an action/adventure game, in my opinion. Its just an adventure game

[Depression Moon]

I think you're confused about your genres.

Video game genres - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I need to correct myself as it's a mix of two not three.

[Momiji]

How about this-- it's a game.

Not everything in the world needs a label or classification.

[Shiny]

In all games you play as a character; you don't play as yourself unless it's like the Sims or something. We don't call those games RPG's. This is no different. I agree with people saying it's an adventure game.

[Laddy]

Adventure Game!

[Slothy]

How about this-- it's a game.

Not everything in the world needs a label or classification.

It's human nature to label and classify things. It allows us to more easily organize, store and recall information.

And calling it a game is already giving it a label. Why not just call it nothing? Then we won't be giving it any classification.

[Momiji]

Okay, correction. Not everything needs to be categorized into pointlessly specific labels.

[Slothy]

Okay, correction. Not everything needs to be categorized into pointlessly specific labels.

How the hell else are you going to convey the general essence of a game in as few words as possible? If you say Final Fantasy is an RPG you have a good idea of what it's all about without even knowing anything else about it. If these labels were really pointless, people would never actually use them.

[Momiji]

"It's an RPG!"
"No it isn't! It's an Adventure game!"
"smurf you no it isn't, it's an Action-adventure game!"
*catfight*

[Sephex]

It's an action adventure game. Just because the dude carries a sword in a fantasy setting doesn't grant it the all mighty RPG classification. Though, Zelda II has RPG elements, I still say even calling that game a full blown RPG is a stretch.

[Rostum]

I would say action/adventure. Though it does have some role-playing elements in there.

I would not really classify it as pure adventure; that genre is saved for games like Zork, King's Quest, Secret of Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, the Myst series, etc.

Either way, it's not really that important and this debate could go on for awhile. Just enjoy the game instead.

[eestlinc]

It's an action adventure game. Just because the dude carries a sword in a fantasy setting doesn't grant it the all mighty RPG classification. Though, Zelda II has RPG elements, I still say even calling that game a full blown RPG is a stretch.

people used to use "RPG" as a pejorative term to describe games played by d&d nerd types, and in that sense almost any game with swords and fantasies and dragons and goblin-like-things is an RPG. But by that definition Fallout 3 is not an RPG, even though Fallout 3 is way more an RPG than any Zelda game I've ever played.

Is Diablo II an RPG?

[Skyblade]

Technically, every game could be considered an RPG as well if you include the "stat" raising stuff of heart tanks, upgrading weapons etc. That would qualify Ninja Gaiden as an RPG, because you upgrade weapons, increase health, and upgrade magic. But we all know Ninja Gaiden is not an RPG. Metroid could also be considered an RPG as you get different weapons, different armor, and in some games you can even choose to unequip certain upgrades.

This basically. Using the logic that finding heart containers and weapon upgrade makes Zelda an RPG would mean that the Mega Man games could be classified as RPG's as well. I don't think you'd find anyone who would agree with that claim.

Action/Adventure without a doubt.

So how would you define an RPG? Bolvar said it didn't contain stat boosting, so that disqualified it. I simply pointed out that it did. What do you think it needs? Huge plot involvement and character development? It has that (especially in the later versions). Sure, the plot may be almost the exact same overall plot for every game, but it is always there. There may also be recurring characters, but the games are getting more and more characters in general, and far more developement of their personalities. Do you need to be able to walk around town talking to NPCs, having an immersive game world even outside of combat? The games have that as well.

It's hard to cut a clear definition of RPG, especially since the genre is not actually mutually exclusive with the other genres the way most are. It is quite possible to have a shooting game that is also an RPG (like Mass Effect), even though there are plenty of other genres that cannot cross with each other nearly that easily. Since RPGs can cross over with practically any other genre, it can be hard to differentiate between what is a game from one genre that is also an RPG, and what is simply a game from the other genre with some RPG elements. But, for me, Zelda's characters, story, and character improvement systems have pushed it into the category of being an RPG. It might not be just an RPG, but it is an RPG nonetheless.

[Breine]

Action/Adventure gets my vote.

[Evastio]

I'd say no, because there's much more fighting action than character talking, random encounters (except for Zelda II), and other RPG elements.