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 (2008) One thousand years before the modern age, a vast empire rose to power under the rule of a tyrannical king.... |
Amiga (1993) The six characters under your control in this visually exotic RPG have been genetically engineered so as to be resistant... |
Macintosh (2010) and Windows (2010) In the early 23rd century, humanity, in search of alternative energy sources, has stumbled upon technology to create tiny particle-sized... |
PlayStation (1996) A group of high-school students decide to play a ritual-like game called "Persona". Unexpectedly, they are knocked unconscious and have... |
PlayStation (2000) Maya Amano is a young journalist who lives and works in the modern-day Japanese city Sumaru. A series of mysterious... |
PlayStation (1999) A few years after the events described in Persona, a curse has befallen Sumaru City, a town in modern-day Japan.... |
PSP (2011) This collector's edition is exclusive to Europe and also the only edition available in the region. It contains:
Persona 2:... |
PlayStation 2 (2007) Persona 3 FES (Append Edition) is a slightly different version of Persona 3 FES. Unlike the standalone version, the Append... |
PS Vita (2012) This is an updated version of the RPG/Social Sim Persona 4 now remastered for the Vita. Persona 4 Golden has... |
Browser (2009) In Phage Wars 2, the player is a lab tech whose goal is to create the most powerful virus ever.... |
DOS (1987), Commodore 64 (1985), Atari ST (1986), Apple II (1985), Amiga (1987), Atari 8-bit (1987), PC-88 (1986), PC-98 (1986), MSX (1988), Sharp X1 (1987) and FM-7 (1986) The island of Gelnor has been taken over by The Black Knights, who demand sacrifices and homage as they travel... |
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MSX (1991), PC-88 (1990), PC-98 (1990) and Sharp X68000 (1991) After the evil Nikademus was defeated, the land of Scandor enjoyed a time period of peace, which lasted twenty years.... |
PC-98 (1990) Trouble is in the kingdom of Stellar. The lovely princess has disappeared, and the king sends his best men to... |
PC-98 (1992) Years have passed since the great hero Liann Fremdes defeated the evil Bosedorf and brought peace to the kingdom of... |
PC-98 (1994) and FM Towns (1994) Amaranth III directly continues the story of the second game. The knight Lyann Fremdes and his lovely companion, the elf... |
SEGA Master System (1987), Genesis (1994) and Wii (2009) Algol is a star system that consists of three planets: the green Palma, the arid Motavia, and the icy Dezolis.... |
Game Boy Advance (2002) and SEGA Saturn (1998) This compilation includes the following games:
Phantasy Star
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
The Saturn version... |
Game Gear (1992) Long ago, the evil Cablon ravaged the Copto planet, a light year away of the Algol system. When he was... |
Genesis (1989), Wii (2008), Xbox 360 (2009), iPhone (2010) and Windows (2012) A millennium has passed since Alis defeated the ultimate evil in the first Phantasy Star. The planet Motavia of the... |
Genesis (1990), Wii (2008) and Windows (2012) Long time ago, a great war between Orakio and Laya devastated the planet. A thousand years later, a young Orakian... |
Genesis (1993), Wii (2008) and Windows (2012) The Algol star system is in troubled times. Many thousands of years ago, it was a peaceful world. Three planets... |
Nintendo DS (2009) Phantasy Star Ø (pronounced Zero) is a Japanese-style RPG that borrows elements from Phantasy Star Online and Phantasy Star Universe.... |
Windows (2001) and Dreamcast (2000) Welcome to the first worldwide console RPG!Features:
Up to 1,000 players per server.
Real time combat with many weapons from... |
