Forums → Games → RPG's with Shooter elements... and Shooters with RPG elements

Nice item, worth discussing. But why are CoD (a fps without RPG) and Oblivion (a rpg without shooter) in it?

And what about Mass Effect 1 and 2. I know it is no FPS.
I think Mass Effect 1 is more of the rpg side if this figure and Mass Effect 2 is more of the Shooter side (i replace shooter with fps in my mind, sorry for that).

Nice item, worth discussing. But why are CoD (a fps without RPG) and Oblivion (a rpg without shooter) in it?

those are the extremes, and apparently The Darkness

but Fallout FTW!

also i'd add fallout 1, 2, and tactics on the extreme RPG, maybe even past oblivion

I don't know how long this has gone on for, but the oldest example I can think of is a very slight adaptation of RPG elements in a 2006 game called The Darkness.

This is a very interesting topic to discuss. It's exciting to see the evolution of games and inovative ideas that game developers and creators are implementing. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject:

Technically Oblivion has a slight fps aspect to it. You can shoot magic as well as shoot arrows. Same with previous Elder Scrolls games such as Morrowind. So I wouldn't categorize it as a fully 100% RPG game with no fps aspect at all. A game that would be 100% RPG for example would be something like Final Fantasy X or other similar FF game.

Persoanlly I like game that are on the far end of the spectrum. Oblivion, Fallout(s) & COD. I've played lots of the ones you listed above in the middle of the spectrum and though they were ok but they didnt hold my attention. (Borderland & Bioshock)

This is definatly a good trend in my opinion. I think that shooters with rpg elements (such as rage) are a lot better, and you get more out of them then normal shooters with no options than to trun through the level shooting enemies. Hopefully this trend will continue throughout video games in a very positive way.

I agree. I hate shooters where all you do is grind through the levels killing endless enemies without a point. Such as COD. I have never played through the single player of a COD game. The multiplayer has some sort of RPG element as you can level up and earn new weapons. Personally I play more or less to increase my kill/death ratio though.

Nice chart, and many free fps games online these days have rpg elements in them, which is a nice touch, shooter games need more to offer. I would have to say that CoD has some rpg elements in the game, but mostly just the stat system.

-AK47

Fantastic feedback, now for some explanations on the placements.

Oblivion was the first RPG I thought of that has little/no shooting in the 1st person. I play a Swordsman most of the time in Oblivion anyway, so I totally forgot about the arrow aspect of the game (heheh... sorry to all the marksman rogues out there). What I was trying to get with Oblivion was the farthest-"left" game in terms of RPG-FPS. I guess a better game would be Fable, the guns in the game never go into 1st person, though a VATS-esque system was implemented in later games, the shooting was never really about how skillful you were with a gun, just how powerful your gun was and how good you are with one, as basic RPG formula dictates.

Fallout 3 & New Vegas are, despite first appearances, RPG's with Shooter elements. In a game like Borderlands, if you're a good shooter, you'll hit all the time with your gun. In Fallout 3, if you put enough points into the Small/Big Guns skill, you'll hit all the time. One is based off numbers, one on personal skill. New Vegas added a more in-depth crafting system that, as an adoring Oblivion-Alchemist, I loved, but the Iron Sights is one of the core aspects of the First-Person Shooter, putting New Vegas more right than its predecessor.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is an odd one definitely. With a game that has an achievement requiring you killing NO ONE save bosses, it's a definite choice-based RPG. However, the fact that you CAN go through the game playing it like Borderlands pushes it farther right than New Vegas, due to its corridor encounters and even MORE focus on bullets hitting because of skill, not because of numbers (mostly).

Borderlands is a good mix. There's Diablo-esque loot, a 3-tree World of Warcraft-esque talent tree, AND shooting based off of skill. Sure there's a little shaking at first, but if the crosshair's over the enemy, they're getting shot, unlike how the bullets decide to go to Wendy's even if you're aiming DIRECTLY AT THE ENEMY in Fallout 3. It's a near-equal mix, with Iron Sights and an open world to settle the balance.

Bioshock is, again, another odd one. as one so close to the middle, it's not a traditional RPG, but the shooter elements shine like gold. The shooting is solid, you can (finally) carry more than two guns, and upgrade your character with a variety of plasmids and gene tonics to change your playstyle to your own specifications. It lacks XP and leveling though, and while the "Mana bar" does push it left, all the shooting elements keep it on the far-right.

RAGE is a game I haven't played yet, but have heard quite a bit about. It may/may not move left on the MY personal list, but since its a game developed by id, the father of the FPS, I just assumed it would be farther right. I'll play soon and update the chart accordingly.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's campaign is, yes, traditional shooter fare. However, tell me where you've heard of this before. Gaining XP based off of kills, leveling up, acquiring new weapons, editing your arsenal to how you want to approach a conflict, and changing about your passive abilities for your character. I just described two games. The recent RPG-Indie hit Bastion, and the 3rd 2007 FPS Juggernaut, the Call of Duty 4 Multiplayer. I probably just blew your mind. That's right CoD Multiplayer fanboys, you're in love with an RPG.

I've already mentioned The Darkness, but I forgot to put a far-right extreme FPS from this generation, as this is the generation that seems to be really embracing the FPS-RPG mix. The first one I can think of is Halo: Reach, but even that's a little left due to the leveling-up for cosmetics system. I'm guessing the best we have right now is... hm. I'm a little stumped now. GOT IT! (I was sitting for a full two minutes thinking) Half Life 2: Episode 2.

Yea... the third episode in a game from last generation...

It seems as if the FPS is really embracing the RPG, but seriously, if there's a game from this generation of games that's a true-blue FPS from the far-right, please make notice of it! (I think that new game "Hard Reset" is, but I'm not sure)

Oh, and I'm sorry about only staying within this generation of games, I only recently started really getting into Games, and I'm a bit fuzzy on stuff before 2004. Sorry, but I try my best 8^D

-Chillz

It's actually quite an interesting subject. I leanred in a psycology class that RPG aspects in games, such as leveling up, make players feel happy & excited when they accomplish such things. This is partially what makes RPGs so popular and enjoyable to play. It only makes sense that game developpers would add RPG aspects into their games as it will make them more popular and enjoyable.

It seems as if the FPS is really embracing the RPG, but seriously, if there's a game from this generation of games that's a true-blue FPS from the far-right, please make notice of it! (I think that new game "Hard Reset" is, but I'm not sure)

It's actually quite an interesting subject. I leanred in a psycology class that RPG aspects in games, such as leveling up, make players feel happy & excited when they accomplish such things. This is partially what makes RPGs so popular and enjoyable to play. It only makes sense that game developpers would add RPG aspects into their games as it will make them more popular and enjoyable.

It's actually quite an interesting subject. I leanred in a psycology class that RPG aspects in games, such as leveling up, make players feel happy & excited when they accomplish such things. This is partially what makes RPGs so popular and enjoyable to play. It only makes sense that game developpers would add RPG aspects into their games as it will make them more popular and enjoyable.

I personaly just hack rpg's so i don't have to do long leveling and it's more enjoyable.

I personaly hate some rpg's cause if youplay in multiplayer and you just got the game while other people had it for a year, you're going to get your *** kicked.

the whole point of RPG's, fail

the reason for: Balancing Systems, anywho don't complain because they are more seasoned then you...

It just is quite annoying to never win for quite a while and then finaly after selling your life to the game, you're level 2.