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) The Spirit Engine II is the sequel to The Spirit Engine. Like its predecessor, it's a side-scrolling RPG with tactical... |
Windows (2003) The Spirit Engine follows 3 travelers (of your choosing) who run into each other by very uncommon means. Their goal... |
DOS (1991), Amiga (1991), Atari ST (1991) and Commodore 64 (1992) In a medieval fantasy world, strange drugs appear that create an addiction among the population. It appears that they are... |
Macintosh (2008) and Windows (2008) In Spore the player has to accompany a new race through five stages of its evolution.First there is the Cell... |
Windows (2008) and Macintosh (2008) Creepy & Cute Parts Pack is an items add-on to the original Spore game, similar to the Stuff expansions for... |
Macintosh (2009) and Windows (2009) Spore: Galactic Adventures is the first real add-on to Spore and focuses solely on the space phase of the game... |
Macintosh (2009) and Windows (2009) Spore Galactic Adventures Bundle includes:
Spore (main game)
Spore: Galactic Adventures (add-on) |
Wii (2009) Spore Hero is the first appearance of the Spore franchise on the Nintendo Wii platform. This title merges both simulation... |
Windows (2008) and Macintosh (2008) This compilation includes:
Spore (base game)
Spore: Creepy & Cute Parts Pack (content add-on) |
Nintendo DS (2005) The first Spyro game for the Nintendo DS brings rpg-lite features to the series. Spyro's friends have been sucked into... |
NES (1989) In 1855, Tom Sawyer and his friends are growing up in the town of St. Petersburg, Missouri in the United... |
Windows (2007) This limited edition is only available in Russia and it contains:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Game Manual
T-shirt with game... |
Windows (2009) Two weeks have gone by since the end of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. After the destruction of the brain-melter by... |
Windows (2010) The Collector's Edition includes:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
Overview-map of the target areas
Tech-tree poster
Five S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stickers |
Windows (2009) The Special Edition includes:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. flare match
Overview-map of the target areas
Two stitched patches
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.-bandana... |
Windows (2008) This is a Collection Edition of the game, which includes:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
Map of the Zone
Users guide
Story-book... |
Windows (2007) This edition is limited to 999 units and contains:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl game
Two stickers
T-shirt
Map of the... |
Windows (2008) S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is a stand-alone game to the original game of 2007. This game takes player back to the... |
Windows (2008) This Limited Collector's Edition includes:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
The book "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - Part III - Apocalypse" by... |
Windows (2009) The complete edition of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. contains all three previously published S.T.A.L.K.E.R.-games. The games within the compilation are:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of... |
Windows (2007) The Ukrainian town of Chernobyl was the site of a severe nuclear accident in 1986. In an alternate timeline, following... |
Windows (2007) This edition is limited to 17,777 units worldwide and contains:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Special packaging
Survival guide with detailed... |
TurboGrafx CD (1994) In the future, mankind has learned to navigate space ships. Human beings spread out to different planets of the Milky... |
Amiga (1988), Atari ST (1988) and DOS (1988) Star Command is a quite unknown sci-fi role-playing game by SSI, designed by Phantasie designer Winston Douglas Wood. It features... |
Browser (2010) Starfeld is a parody of space opera RPGs such as the Mass Effect series, especially their formulaic approach of conversations,... |
