Role-Playing (RPG)
Description
Role-playing video games are descendants of pen-and-paper RPGs. In those games character development is the main driving gameplay mechanic. Typically one or more characters are created and shaped by the player, then embark on a series of encounters that increase the inventory, wealth, or combat statistics of said character(s).A role-playing game is not just any game in which the player "plays a role", i.e. controls a character and participates in exploration and narrative. Rather, the defining characteristic of role-playing games is player-dependent character growth. A role-playing game can be seen as such when player-controlled characters become stronger ("levels up") because of the player's actions (usually depending on experience points received for vanquishing enemies), rather than being upgraded automatically as dictated by the storyline. The degree of the player's involvement in shaping the characters may vary considerably: some RPGs offer vast customization possibilities, while others tend to simplify and even nearly automatize the process.
Traditional RPGs have turn-based combat and a fantasy setting (Wizardry series, Ultima series, Roguelikes, etc.). Later, other settings were introduced, and many RPGs - such as Diablo - began favoring action-based combat. In these games, Action is used as a modifier to the RPG genre.
By the late 1980's, the genre has been distinctly split into two main sub-genres: Western and Japanese (sometimes called console-style) RPG. Western RPGs typically favored free exploration and player-made decisions, while Japanese RPGs focused on following a linear story line. Japanese RPGs also tended to retain simple turn-based combat mechanics, and in many cases also random enemy encounters.
In many early Western RPGs the player was given the option to create an entire party of characters (usually up to six). Ultima games introduced the possibility of recruiting initially non-playable characters (NPCs) with their own personalities from the game world into the party. Beginning with Phantasy Star, Japanese RPGs followed this template and even elevated it to their cornerstone mechanic.
Late 1990's saw a "RPG revival" in the West. Fallout greatly expanded the usage of non-combat statistics and moral decisions during gameplay, while Baldur's Gate popularized real-time party-based combat.
 Game Title |
 Windows (2007) A young elf is missing and nobody remembers her existence, except for her best friend, Ean. He decides to solve... |
 Windows (2009) Gates of Night is the second installment in the Aveyond 3: Orb of Magic series and the fourth game overall.... |
 Windows (2009) Lord of Twilight is the first installment in the Aveyond 3: Orb of Magic series and the third game overall.... |
 Windows (2011) Darkthrop Prophecy is the fourth installment in the Aveyond 3: Orb of Magic series and the sixth game overall. It... |
 Windows (2010) The Lost Orb is the third installment in the Aveyond 3: Orb of Magic series and the fifth game overall.... |
 Nintendo DS (2008) Away: Shuffle Dungeon is an RPG dungeon exploring game mixed with puzzle solving. The player takes control of a young... |
 Xbox 360 (2009) A Wizard's Odyssey is a wizardry RPG in which the player assumes the role of a wizard who must stop... |
 Game Gear (1991) The legendary Golden Axe has been stolen by an army of evil warriors. The king called a young warrior to... |
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 PlayStation (1997) and Game Boy Color (2000) The huge Monster Tower stands near the village Monsbaiya. It is populated by vicious monsters, and few dare enter it.... |
 TurboGrafx CD (1992) In the distant future, human beings invented space warps, which allowed space travel to long distances. On board the space... |
 Windows (2011), Xbox 360 (2011), Macintosh (2011) and PlayStation 3 (2011) After the events of previous two Deathspank games and getting his hands on all six thongs of virtue, Deathspank wears... |
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SNES (1996) The game is set in the end of Edo period in Japan (1600-1868). Japan, controlled by the feudal rulers (shoguns)... |
 Windows (1999) Baldurian's Bibliothek is an unofficial Add-On for Baldur's Gate.This expansion adds new secret artifacts and new characters with individual combat... |
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 Windows (1999) Baldur's Gate Chapters I & II is exactly that - the first two chapters of the full game. It's more... |
 PlayStation 2 (2001), Xbox (2002) and GameCube (2002) Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance casts the player as one of three basic characters: an elf sorceress, a human archer, or... |
 Game Boy Advance (2004) This version of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance follows the same story and has many gameplay similarities to the console release,... |
 PlayStation 2 (2004) and Xbox (2004) The threat of the Onyx Tower has passed for now, but mere moments pass before a new threat to the... |
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 Windows (1998) Baldur's Gate Gold is a special edition of the original game of the same name.Essentially, it is a collector's edition.... |
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 Windows (2000) This collector's edition of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn includes a pack of trading cards with characters from the... |
MobyRank
Top games by as rated by the press:
- 99 Chrono Trigger
- 94 Mass Effect 2
- 94 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- 93 Vagrant Story
- 93 Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss
- 93 Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
- 93 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- 93 Panzer Dragoon Saga
- 93 Mass Effect 2
- 93 Final Fantasy VII
Games must have at least a MobyRank of 80 to be considered.
MobyScore
Top games by as rated by our users:
- 3.67 Angry Birds Epic (2014)
- 3.67 Angry Birds Epic (2014)
- 4.03 Anvil of Dawn (2013)
- 5.00 Avadon: The Black Fortress (2011)
- 5.00 Black Isle Compilation (2002)
- 5.00 Black Isle Compilation Part Two (2004)
- 5.00 Borderlands 2 (Deluxe Vault Hunter's Collectors Edition) (2012)
- 4.79 Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep (2013)
- 3.70 Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition (2010)
- 4.06 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (2012)
Games must have at least 1 votes and a MobyScore of 4.0 to be considered.
Basic Genres
Role-Playing (RPG) is part of Basic Genres. This group of genres contain:
