In an effort to divert some discussion away from "Which game/console is best", I would like to ask people: What makes a good RPG?
In my opinion, a good RPG has to have at least good gameplay. I don't just mean "OMG, different type of turn-based battle", I also mean all the stuff in between. Sure, a game can have an amazing battle system, but without any sort of substance in between (say, shooting minigames in Zelda, or even some skills that don't involve battle ) I will quickly find the game to be boring.
Of course, other parts are important, like graphics and storyline, but for me gameplay is most important.
P.S. If you're going to reply saying, i think (insert word here) is important, at least explain why.
Personally, I don't think a lack of a storyline would absolutely ruin an RPG, but a storyline makes the game much more enjoyable as a whole. Same thing with graphics, there doesn't have to be much, but enough to keep me interested.
Another thing I think makes an RPG good is the sheer customization opportunities it has. Final Fantasy Tactics is an amazing game almost entirely because of the almost limitless ways you can make a party. I think the reason this adds to the quality of a game is because it allows for a much greater degree of playing style.
Razaki, there doesn't necessarily have to be a plot to be a roleplaying game. Concept, for an example: You are a farmer. Make as much money as possible. You would be playing the role of "farmer", and there is no storyline. That said, storylines make games much more engaging... nothing like setting some event-related goals.
i think a good RPG is good graphics...flashy fighting...good music...and a great online storyline where you can do missions and stuff with other people to gain money weapons etc
All I need to say is "Mass Effect" The game has everything! Customize your equipment, armour, guns, face, you name it. The story is amazing and the graphics are also good except for the occasional pop-in.
If you want a great experience and you have an Xbox 360 try Mass Effect. I think it's out for PC now as well.
I love the FF series, there huge. Have you played 1,2, or 4 for Game boy advance sp? They are just better graphic versions of the really old ones. That means they were able to make that awesome of games, in just the beggining of the series. FF rocks!
Personally, I think quality is in the eye of the beholder. My prefences would include, good music, at least decent graphics, customizable characters with depth, a variety of skills and spells, secret and bonus characters/ areas/ ect., and a good emotional appeal. Yup yup.
I think that from hearing from you guys that you should try to play Fable for xbox or Fable 2 when it comes out for the xbox 360. In fable its just like dgw said in the store you need to fight more to buy what you want. Like emiolo said yo can chose your own desiny in this game. You can be good or bad and you can see like if your bad u stink and have horns on your head. If your good you have like a halo around your head. In fable its always open area battles, but mostly on bosses its closed so you wont run away if its too hard. If you decide to be good and you do that but then you decide you want to be bad you can change any time you want by your actions.You also unlock different emotions and actions by your desiny like if your bad you can stick up the finger at people "lol". In my opinion Fable is the meaning of RPG games. You guys should try it if you have a xbox the old one or you can also play it on the new one the xbox 360.
I believe that what makes a great RPG game is as follows: 1.) Customization is my greatest love of RPGs. Complete Customization of Appearance, Eye color, Hair color/length, facial and body structure, skills, abilities, perks/bonuses, etc.
2.)Experience Disbursement, the game should have a good and customizable way to spread skill points, such as a Training system or talent trees, this is key for me, because it gives the game SO much replay value if you can have a completely different character and experience every time you play.
3.) Weapons/Armor - there always has to be a good variety of loot to be equipped and augmented/customized. Always good to have the weapons/armor level oriented, so you aren't level 5 with some huge glowing battleaxe. Also there doesn't have to be TOO much loot, to make it easy. That brings me to my next point.
4.) Difficulty - The game has to pose some sort of a challenge either throughout, or later on in the game. No one wants to play a game where you can kill anything and everything right a way, that is the point of an RPG to me. BUILD up your CHARACTER the way that you want them to be, and then kill the enemies as you level up. Do not fight anything that you do not think you can handle, and if you decide to, then be prepared for a long and enduring fight with something that can ultimately end your player character's virtual life.
5.) Story - The game has to have some driving story that will keep the gamers interested.
6.) Dialogue - depending on the type of game, the dialogue system should be top shape with good voice actors/actresses. Sometimes an annoying voice can ruin the game for players.
7.) Graphics/NPC's - The graphics are not the most important, but it is fun to have a pleasing game that does not lag all of the time, or have constant pop up. Also NPC's need to look and act different, you cant have 1,000 npcs that look, act, and sound exactly the same, it kind of dulls the game down.
8.)Bugs - Bugs are going to be in every single games, but the less bugs the more fun. In my opinion.
9.) Controls/Camera - I have noticed with a TON of games the controls and camera angles killed the game for me. I am mainly a PC gamer, and when the camera swings and flips around when your trying to kill your enemies, it gets kind of annoying. Also if you can barely control the actions of your character, and things seem to not flow then the controls are most likely flawed.
10.) Environment/Characters - I love my games to have noticable environments and characters. So people will look back after playing the game and say, "So and so was a beautiful level, I would love to live there." or "That Baron Bumdum was a real jerk and If I could have I would have cut his head off and ate his brain!!!" Stuff like that.
Overall what I think makes a GREAT RPG would have to be Complete Customization of your character and all together your experience. You want to be able to make the character yours, and forge your own story throughout the game. Re playability is key, if your RPG is good enough, people will play it over and over and have a differing experience every time. Hopefully they will want sequels and prequels and triligies etc.
I like characters who are likable and not completely generic. They also have to have a likable name, unlike the names from FF13 and such like those. Graphics have to be fairly decent and mildly realistic. "Super Powered" characters are kind of lame, basic black magics, weapon skills, healing spells, are fine.... Over-powered just makes things lame. My favorite RPG is Demon Souls. If you don't have patience, and get frustrated easily, don't play it.... lol
I have been closely watching and waiting for Diablo 3, as well as Guild Wars 2. I enjoyed the previous installments of both games so I am looking forward to them.
