RPG is a video game genre where the player takes control of one or more characters on whose behalf they will make choices throughout the game. But what are the hallmarks of this genre? Here they are:
- The ability to create a hero or even multiple heroes – typically, this genre provides the ability to fine-tune a character in terms of appearance and skills fairly. The player will have to decide on, for example, the gender of the character, his starting abilities, etc.
- The ability to develop characters’ characteristics – to make them stronger and more resilient in the course of the game, thereby opening up new, more complex game areas and progressing through the story.
- The ability to choose the answer lines in dialogues with NPCs.
Of course, these are only some of the features but the most basic ones. They can also vary. For example, in some RPGs, you will play as a pre-created character with his character. In some, you cannot customize him to the exact pixel because you will be presented with ready-made presets, of which you can choose the hero’s appearance (usually found in old-school RPGs).
RPG subgenres
RPG differs not only in terms of the approach to the character’s backstory, his level-upping, customization, etc., and they also vary quite a bit in sub-genres. Here are the four main ones:
- Narrative PRGs – the main emphasis in such games is on the story and dialogues; the rest of the game mechanics are built around them. In these titles, you have to talk with other characters a lot, but that doesn’t mean that these games are boring and have no action.
- Dungeon crawlers – this subgenre is the exact opposite of the previous one. Here a lot of the game is devoted to combating mechanics. The plot and dialogues in dungeon crawlers are relatively modest and are only for diversifying the gameplay.
- Sandbox RPGs – the story is only a tiny part of these games. You may think sandboxes are no different from dungeon crawlers, but it is not. In this subgenre, the main emphasis is on giving the player maximum freedom of action. Games in the sandbox genre usually have a seamless open world with many locations where players can freely move around. Interestingly, you can generally pass the storyline in little time.
- JRPG is a rather specific subgenre that originated in Japan, as you can tell from the name. Like many classic RPGs, this sub-genre adheres to generally accepted rules but implements them using its approach. A distinctive feature of JRPG is the emphasis on a complex, rich, but linear story. Also, almost every JRPG game has a two-level map: a tactical one and a strategic one. Simply put, the first one is used most of the time – you use it to move your character around the location, find various loot, fight enemies, etc. As for strategy, it is used to carry your party through, for example, sites – from one city to another, from one cave to another, etc.
The above are just the most fundamental aspects of the genre it is built on. For more information on RPGs, you can go to GoldenEye Vault. There you will discover a variety of news articles, from which you can find out which titles are trending right now and what exciting games you can play, and also many user guides.
