Why do you choose RPG...?

[MrEco]

I have this friend. Lets call him John Smith for now. He hates RPG's with a passion (Especially turn-based RPG's). I often get in long arguments with him about why I love RPG's so much while he sits there and cry's about how horrible his life is (Or something of that matter, I wouldn't know, I never listen to him). Today he asked me "What do RPG's have that other game genres don't? Nothing, that's what." I promptly punched him in the stomach. But that's not the point of this article. I'm basically asking you all a somewhat similar question (Please don't punch me in the stomach).

Why do you play RPG's? What is it about RPG's that in your mind makes them worth playing? And for those of you who consider RPG's to be your favourite genre (Like myself), what is it about RPG's that makes them superior in your mind?

To answer my own question:
I like RPG's best for three reasons. 1) RPG's almost always require more strategy than other genres. And therefor prove that I have a superior mind to people like John Smith. 2) RPG's always take place in the best and most unique settings. And even on the occasions that they do take place in a cliche area somehow it ends up feeling fresh and more exciting. 3) Leveling. Leveling a character in a video game is like a game that gives you constant rewards. As you play the game it's showing you proof that you have accomplished something. Also, in real life a 10 year old child will be horrible at cutting wood. But as he trains at cutting wood and gains experience in this skill he eventually would be able to cut down an entire tree. You see I love leveling not only because it's fun but it's realistic. In real life you get better at X the more times you attempt X. It's the same way in RPG's. The more times you try to use X weapon or kill Y monster you will get better at using X weapon to kill Y monster.

Now, It's your turn.

[Citizin]

I find RPG games to be quite dull although I enjoy action games with RPG elements thrown in such as leveling up weapons.

Your points one and two are highly subjective. It's really just a matter of preference and you should let your riend like or dislike what he wants to.

[MrPopo]

I don't think he's trying to convince his friend with this thread, he just wants to hear some opinions.

For me I really enjoy the combat/leveling systems of RPGs. I like to figure out how they work and what I can do to exploit the system.

[the7k]

Although I've fallen out of love with traditional RPGs, I still enjoy the SMT series and a few others. The big thing an RPG has to do to keep me playing is have interesting combat that requires tactical planning, and strong, well-thought-out stories that get me interested in the situation and characters.

Unfortunately, the only RPG this gen that has fulfilled both requirements would be Valkyria Chronicles, if that even counts as a turn-based RPG. (I consider Strategy RPGs to be a completely different monster.)

[AmishSamurai]

The original reason I chose RPGs was because my gateway video game was Pokemon, and other RPGs had similar enough elements for me to feel comfortable with. I've grown less interested in them as of late, mainly because of the sheer grinding involved in a lot of them (I'm looking at you, Nippon Ichi). The storyline is often a lot more developed than other genres (not always of course. Try telling that to Hideo Kojima), which is sometimes nice. I've started developing more of an interest in SRPGs and action RPGs.

EDIT: I think we've been on the same forum before 7k. I recognize the name and avatar.

[RCBH928]

I am trying to get into RPGs and understand what the big fuss is all about
now I like leveling up , it really shows progress. Damn do I like having hard time passing some enemies then come to kick the hell out of them with my newly acquired super duper sword or super kick.

What I do not get is I think what they call is a turn based RPG.
They say that its all in the story, yet they make fun of RPGs being all similar
with guys with big colorful hair styles, saving the earth every time from some big evil, and each of them has magic potions and powers. So how come the
story is the exciting part when they are all similar?

What gets me is the huge amounts of talking. Long texts of stuff that doesn't
seem interesting to read, lines are very similar to this:
"I do not know where X went. He must be in the forest. He has been working hard lately. I think I better get back to work"
How is this exciting?
I figured that maybe its like a movie you play, but in a movie you get sucked in and its very interesting. In the game you just always want to skip I guess that is a proof that this is not really exciting.

I also never heard that any RPG had best story. I think it was MGS and it is not an RPG. I am sure I heard other games had great stories but they are not RPGs.

So I am not sure. I asked around and they told me to play Mario all star to get started on the genre, so far so good, I like the short texts so it is a game not a boring novel, but I do not see it that exciting at all. One thing really confuses me is that repetition is something frowned at in gaming, while in RPG's its praised because you face same enemies many many many times over and over again.

[Pingfa]

I figured that maybe its like a movie you play, but in a movie you get sucked in and its very interesting.

I guess it's mostly just immersion. People like to believe in things. Cool characters and compelling stories make things more believable for imaginative people. The large worlds and copious dialogue make people feel they are on an important - and totally epic - journey.
Many people think Cloud is one cool, yet very caring character. People want Cloud to make it to the finish and get everything he wants. 'He's cool and totally deserves it. I'll help him.'

Then you have your folks who like to believe they are Cloud. 'I AM CLOUD, and I am a badass - and my mum does NOT tell me what to do.'

It's just the feeling of having gone on a long and epic journey; having accomplished something.
Having characters people can become attached to, as well as a worthy cause, compels people to complete their mission.

So, I suppose you could say they're like a movie you can participate in.

[RemyC]

RPG's almost always require more strategy than other genres.

I can't think of very many RPGS where after the first quarter of the game was done, I was powerful enough to just mash the "attack" button to get through 75% of my encounters.
Could someone present me a list of say...5 or 10 of the more brutally difficult RPG's?

As you play the game it's showing you proof that you have accomplished something.

Blowing down all your enemies in a FPS shows that you have accomplished something. Clearing out all the blocks in Tetris proves that you have accomplished something. Defeating a boss, and taking their power is proof that you have accomplished something in, Mega Man

You see I love leveling not only because it's fun but it's realistic. In real life you get better at X the more times you attempt X. It's the same way in RPG's

Its the same way in ANY game. You spend more time playing a certain game, and you'll get better at it.

I like the interesting level up systems that certain RPG's offer. Namely; the open concept of the Sphere grid in FFX, and the materia system in, FFVII.
I loved the battle-system in, Grandia II, they just made it WAY too easy to become a super power in that game.

[MrPopo]

RPG's almost always require more strategy than other genres.

I can't think of very many RPGS where after the first quarter of the game was done, I was powerful enough to just mash the "attack" button to get through 75% of my encounters.
Could someone present me a list of say...5 or 10 of the more brutally difficult RPG's?

Pretty much every Shin Megami Tensei game will rape you if you try to adopt a strategy of mashing attack. You have to conciously target weaknesses and protect your own, and it can still be tough.

[dlmvii]

RPG's almost always require more strategy than other genres.

I can't think of very many RPGS where after the first quarter of the game was done, I was powerful enough to just mash the "attack" button to get through 75% of my encounters.
Could someone present me a list of say...5 or 10 of the more brutally difficult RPG's?

[/quote]

The Shin Megami Tensei games come to mind as being particularly difficult...The Answer portion in Persona 3 especially (though this is less difficulty, and more total bullshit)