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I always ask people what is it about RPGs that we like?
Usually it is the stories that the RPG explains, or the ability to room around/become part of a world you normal could not. Maybe its the unique characters that you can admire or mold. Everyone has there reasons so I would like to find out.

My reason is I love RPG weapons there so cool. That and the ability to be able to become part of that world with your character.

The story that was told and the gameplay combined with the fact of "taking on a role". That was what attracted me in the first place to amongst other genres - the Roleplaying genre, and also for example the adventure genre, which unfortunally is all but dead compared to how it was in the 90's.
I didn't care (or do) much for weapons, statistics powergaming/min-maxing etc on the contrary - it is fully the story and gameplay aspect, like reading a good book or watching a good movie - but it is or at least was more interactive instead of passive. Naturally leveling up and becomming more powerfull is part of any roleplaying game, but it should never be the driving force.

Lately though - I find myself drifting more away from the tradionally "CRPG" genre, because I find it in decay and decline (which can be seen by my many rants towards current games around this board ).

Ah Xandax, it makes me fell old gamer when I look the new breed of RPG's around.

I still remember that the best part of it was playing fallout and fallout 2 just because I could do many things I wish with a bad computer (it required only a pentium and needed almost no video card, it was awesome) and just some hard drive space. Deep story, lots of colorfull quotes (press shift while seeing the credits if you're older than 21).

Well, what made me an RPG player. Once I was a NES player. I had many adventure games, but none RPG games, but I loved the way you could increase your powers in the Megaman games. So, one day I went to a friends house and he had the primitive zelda there. No big deal. I bought a Sega Genesis; kept playing Sonic till I picked up on the local game store the Sword of Vermilion. I havent gone far in the game (at that time my english was poorer than it is), but the genre picked up my interest. A friend of mine had a SNES with the SNES Zelda and THAT was SUCH a story. I had some skill (not large) in english and my friend had none, so we'd spend weekends playing it. My english improved. Weeks after we've not finished but quited playing zelda (after the ice castle from the badlands it got very hard) we started playing Chrono Trigger. I LOVE the game. We finished it after. I started playing RPG's and I didnt know it. But my computer had only 1st person shooters at that time (Doom, doom2, Duke Nukem and stuff) so I've forgotten the genre for a while. Then, on my 17 years old birthday a friend of mine bought me Baldur's Gate.

My world had changed that day First person shooters never would put me out of RPG's again. Deep story (I had no internet, it took me months to figure out all by myself and finish the game. For example, my first party had absolutely no power to finish Sarevok, I thought. Bah, great mistake - two months later I found it was easier to finish with that party) and rather good graphics. I was amazed! From there I've been playing RPG after RPG, buying the old ones, donwloading the Freewares, checking out the forums till I stumbled here, on GB (after I got broadband at work. Nothing better than to be paid to check the gaming world ).

So, what makes us RPG players? The will to evolve, the need to acquire power, the magic that we miss so much in the real world and the story.

I highly agree with you on that one. RPGs allow us to become part of a world where not. I would have love to have been a Knight or Samurai back in those days. Now I can be one and team up with a mage to back me up or the other way around. And yes Zelda is a great series.

I'm just an escapist...

I've always been drawn to the Fantasy genre, and believe that RPGs are the only way to 'port' a good book onto the PC. I suppose that the story factor plays the most important role for me.

RPGs are also more customizable than other game formats, which gives them a helluva lot more replay value.

...And besides, where would we be without our 'Demonic Mega-Ultra-Humongous-Greatsword of Meteoric Destruction?'...

I'm interested in the RPG characters, story, and gameplay. In my opinion, you need all three done well so that people will play your game more than once. A good game is one that you will replay once. A great game is one you'll play over and over again because it is so much better than what you have experienced before.

It's all about the stories and characters for me. Playing an RPG is a way of becoming involved in a grand epic adventure. It is the only genre of games I've played that does this effectively. I enjoy the challenges and tactics involved, but those things are of secondary importance to me.

For me, it's also the story, but especially freedom. I especially like RPG games where I can really choose what to do and what not to do. Good example, Fallout 1 and 2. Ofcourse, at somepoint there always comes the urge to "get next level just to be more powerfull" but that hasn't been the driving force to me.
Also, RPG's are usually very replayable. How many times you would play FPS games through? Not many times, I think. But RPG's have that thing that makes you play it again and again and again, just to see "what if I had done this differently".

So, replayability, story, freedom, and in some way also the urge to gain power

Boss

What i find 2 make a good RPG is the way you can do almost anything from choosing your destany to changing your clothes. the worlds are also huge and you can free roam most of them. Fable was a bit of a dissapointment though. they said that they were gonna have more things but with all these expectations comes a cost! they were also saving some of these things for the future trilogy so stop your complaining!!!!!!!
ne ways this was a good idea posting this yes i am done........................................................now!

What I enjoy about RPGs is the element of customisation, I'm a very anal person and there's nothing I hate most than the feeling of not being in control of my own character.

The wonderful feeling I get from RPGs is the ability to push my character in any direction I want; whether it to specialise in multiple areas or excel a few. The feeling that I'm in control of my own destiny is something I appreciate.

What about the music???
I dont know about you but the music is a big issue for me.
I dont know why but when I play an RPG and the music is great and makes the experience of the world come to life it just brings a tear to my eye.

It is rare when they can have actual music tracks that bring out the enormity of games any more. Some games, such recent ones as KotOR and Warcraft, have been able to incoporate musical themes into the game that actual brings the game above others of now similar classes.

I have to admit that sometimes lately music in games does not come up to my expectations. I nkow that some popel comapre the music to graphics, anbd that they are leading RPGs to a more action base thrill type of game, but not for me.

Any game where they take the care to have music that is grand and makes sense for the game has my repect. however, they tend to lose my respect almost immendiately after, in some cases.

What interests me about RPGs is creating a cvharcter and molding him/her to your tastes. To make choices in the path he will take through the most momentous moments of his life. To lead him/her on a path of greatness that effects so many people. Yet you are the one controlling how he will act feel, respond, and what he can do. What he will do...

I also like those games that allow a somewhat open playing to the games. Sure, the ending may take place, in which you can do no more, but the ability to ake so many different paths and do so many different things is what draws me in.

Also it gives me that little bit of fantasy life that helps me mantain my (in)sanity.

I guess the story takes a part of my interest in it too... something that has been waning in sequels lately, but I hope will return to its former glory. More plot filled games... thats always worth getting, and what a true RPG is, IMO.

I would like to ask if you guys dont mind putting in RPGs that you have/want to play/played and like and why. Also any recommendations on a RPG that you think anyone may like.Any hated RPGs?

I think my buddy, Toku, said it best:

"I like Dungeons and Dragons because of the idea that you can be the common person in an uncommon world."

Now, we were just talking D&D but I think it's universal for all well-done RPG's. There is always that idea of being the unlikely hero, being thrust into a situtation in which you have to take the reigns, and save the world. I believe that's what appeals to so many people.

It really is more than just being the strongest, or a good story. It's the idea of being something you aren't.

[QUOTE=Aegis]It really is more than just being the strongest, or a good story. It's the idea of being something you aren't.[/QUOTE]

Or something you wish you could be, in a place you wish were real.

I would just like to welcome our newest Moderator.....Hill-Shartar...

Thank you slade, but lets keep this thread on track, please. Theres already a thread on this in [url="http://www.gamebanshee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66576"]SYM.[/url]

So far, it seems that the majority of people here have loved RPGs for a variety of reasons. Most have been around the ability to mold and to shape characters in a fantasy game that they made... so that they can channel what they wish was real into that.

Any other opinions?

Since where talking about RPG's, I hope not get off topic,but do graphics play a role in weither or not to play...I asked because I know someone that was playing Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and they liked it...so I told them to try FF Tactics for the original Playstation...he tried it and stopped because the graphics we not as good as in FFT Advanced, I however like FFT the original then the new, I personally dont care for graphics as a matter of fact most games that I love are old and not as nice looking....

I for one, do not really notice if the graphics are good, if it is trash wrapped up in pretty paper.

However, I do find that good graphics do complement the game, if it is a good one. When you have played through and are awarded in that game by a beautiful vista, it is worth it.

Perhaps what leads us more in PnP, such as Dungeons and Dragons, is when a person goes into detail about where they are. A sprawling metropolis, a shaded willow glade, and beautiful cliff on the edge of the sea, always play into one of those games. It enhances the experience.

for me its being able to do the things u cant in real life.