The State of RPGs
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Every disc you pop into your console or PC seems to allow you to customize your character's attributes, or give you a skill tree to climb down. Take a game like Borderlands for instance, it is a classic first-person shooter with elements scattered throughout that allow you to customize clothing colors, or choose from a large list of quests that you can tackle at your own whim. There are also 61 character levels (thanks to DLC) that you can work through, and each level rewards you with a stat point to use in growing your skill tree.
Take another game like Modern Warfare 2, very easily the most played game these days, which has these same elements scattered throughout the entire multiplayer experience. Kill your enemies, get points, level-up, and get more weapons and useful perks. Your rank is noted by an emblem along with level number so you can compare yourself against your friends and enemies.
Still not convinced? How about Farmville; a simple game about planting crops and growing a farm is littered with enough RPG elements to make you think you were playing a Square-Enix game. Once again, you plant your crops, harvest your crops, get experience, and gain levels. Gaining more levels opens up more items for purchase.
So what does this say about RPGs? Are they becoming watered down? The Japanese RPGs that were so popular in the mainstream world have appeared to be falling to the way side to make room for the elaborate worlds of Western RPGs. Games like Fallout 3, Mass Effect 2, and Dragon Age: Origins are taking the place of Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and the popular titles from the 90's. On top of it all, the elements that make these games unique are being stolen and used in other genres.
