Zelda isnt an rpg? (Its a dungeon crawler isnt it?)

[dunpeal2064]

All ARPGs, all notably similar... all nothing like Zelda.

Then you have played far too little Action-RPGs. I'll name a few popular action-RPG games off the top of my head, which are all quite different: King's Field, Diablo, Jade Empire, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Tales of Symphonia, Crystalis.

I consider Diablo a dungeon crawler more than an action rpg, but I can see the comparison.

So, while all of those games are pretty different, I would say they still al have much more in common with each other, and with the games I mentioned, than a basic hack n slash.

I STILL do not see why the addition of RPG is necessary to describe Zelda. It has no combat depth, at all. All of the action rpgs mentioned, with the exception of "Zelda Clones", have in depth character development and combat systems.

Again, IF you consider Zelda an rpg based on character development and combat style, then you also consider Metroid and Devil May Cry action RPGS, two games that also have little no nothing in common with all the arpgs you mentioned, and the ones I mentioned. Now Elder Scrolls and Metroid are in the same genre. All of the games you mentioned ARE action rpgs, and whether I have played them or not (I have played most of them, shit, I named tales of), I know that they also have little in common with Zelda.

Obviously I am just repeating myself at this point, in a fairly pointless arguement. Call it what you like, I personally prefer to keep games that have common traits in their main gameplay elements in the same genre, since you know, thats what genres are for in the first place.

Also: The only reason games like Golvellius, Crystalis, Alundra, etc are not called action games is because they just got dubbed "Zelda clones", almost entirely due to their choice in perspective. I have not played a lot of Crystalis, but I played through Golvellius and Alundra entirely, and neither of those are action rpgs in my books either. Those are action games, as all I do is mash a, and solve the occasional puzzle.

Considering the HARDEST part of Zelda or Alundra is the puzzle solving, How are they not also puzzle games? So, now Zelda is action/adventure/rpg/puzzle. Sweet.

silly thread indeed, and it went far too long. I am glad General Norris popped in or there would have been no real genuine discussion.

[nightrnr]

I've just been offering my viewpoints on the matter. It's perfectly fine with me if other people see it differently... just as long as both sides are acknowledged.

Anyways, it's hard to fight tradition. Waltz onto most of the major RPG videogame review sites and Zelda is right there with everything else.
To me, Zelda isn't an RPG, strictly speaking (ARPG changes the meaning, as I see it). But it comes with the territory and that must be acknowledged (or prepare to be annoyed if you don't).

But no one needs to be annoyed. We just need to be aware of the differing opinions.

Considering the HARDEST part of Zelda or Alundra is the puzzle solving, How are they not also puzzle games? So, now Zelda is action/adventure/rpg/puzzle. Sweet.

I disagree, I still think Zelda provides some challenge. I still die in the games and you can bet a person new to the series will. It becomes easier to a veteran, I suppose, but don't think it's a cakewalk for everyone.

[Gamerforlife]

Ignores all posts and looks at poll results

It feels good to be right

[Jmustang1968]

Ignores all posts and looks at poll results

It feels good to be right

I don't think many are taking that poll seriously.

[Erik_Twice]

Nah, it's just bullshit. At the end of the day, it's just a misomer and there's not a widely accepted noun to define the genre encompassing Dragon Quest and Diablo so it's calling it that or using a more specific phrase for it like "Dungeon Crawler" or "spreadsheet quest"

In reality, people say something is an RPG because you "level up". And being frank, leveling up is exactly the same thing as having powerups from time to time. So it's bullshit over bullshit.

Whatever. Let's just get along, accept that the whole discussion is meaningless and perhaps let's try to use more specific terms for the games and everything will be allright in this world.

[dunpeal2064]

I don't mean to come off as annoyed, its just a video game discussion.

However, when the OP (and others)wont respond to the opinions he/they disagrees with, and conveniently ignores what I thought were some solid points, then he/they obviously wants to only hear people who share his/thier opinion.

Metroid and DMC are STILL action rpgs by the standards set by many here, and the only counter point I've seen is "Link gets several Shields" (2, maybe 3? Lol) and Samus doesn't (suits don't count?)


Not annoyed, just done talking to myself

[Menegrothx]

the only counter point I've seen is "Link gets several Shields" (2, maybe 3? Lol)

Im sure some one already made this point but by that logic MW is a RPG too.
You level up in Colladoody to get new guns and weapon mods. And you can also modify your character with different perks and killstreak rewards. You can even create different classes like "MG guy" and "sniper". So I guess Modern Warfare games are action RPGs too. There are even quests with rewards in Black ops, like kill 5 guys with a revolver within 15 minutes and as a reward you recieve money and XP.

[pepharytheworm]

Ignores all posts and looks at poll results

It feels good to be right

What are you talking about? If I add up the numbers 34 people think Zelda is some sort of rpg, where 33 people people think its not an rpg or a bad attempt at one.

[nightrnr]

I don't mean to come off as annoyed, its just a video game discussion.

However, when the OP (and others)wont respond to the opinions he/they disagrees with, and conveniently ignores what I thought were some solid points, then he/they obviously wants to only hear people who share his/thier opinion.

Metroid and DMC are STILL action rpgs by the standards set by many here, and the only counter point I've seen is "Link gets several Shields" (2, maybe 3? Lol) and Samus doesn't (suits don't count?)

Not annoyed, just done talking to myself

Alright, I admit that I'm lazy and don't feel like responding to every opinion.
But the thing is, I understand your opinions and I'm okay with them. I don't feel the need to debate and appreciate the perspective.

I agree that Metroid, as I've mentioned, is pretty similar to Zelda games in a lot of respects (free-range exploration, item collection/upgrades, etc.). Where it differs is all the shooting involved. It just feels like a different genre to me, if nothing else. But I might actually recommend it to a Zelda fan (if they somehow missed the series).
Case in point (or reverse point, as it were): my nephew struggles to get through Zelda Games (which he likes, just doen't stay with), but played the heck out of the 2D Metroids. I consider him more of an Action/Shmup gamer.

What games would you recommend to a Zelda fan?
and
What of those games are universally accepted ARPGs?

I imagine Secret of Mana would be on both lists.

That's my real dilemma, which games a Zelda fan would identify most with?
Is a Zelda fan more likely to be an ARPG gamer?
or is it the other way
Are ARPG fans likely to be Zelda players?
I just need to know how we are classifying and recommending games nowadays, especially in this sub-genre. Should ARPGs be excluded?
When someone asks for enjoyable games similar to Zelda, what are the options? I know my picks (Secret of Mana, Soul Blazer, modern Castlevanias, Crystalis, Landstalker, Y's series, Elder Scrolls series (with a sandbox warning), BG:Dark Alliance 1&2,... the list goes on).

I'm not expecting much (or any) of an answer because I think opinions are too divided and subjective. Who really knows what anyone is going to like anyways.
I'm just throwing this out there.

[garrett123]

THIS THREAD WAS CREATED FOR NO REASON, ITS A....

DUNGEON CRAWLER.-zork zelda, any game thats like a rpg, with exploration,and character interaction, use this term, so its probally a action/adventure dungeon crawler. -or am i wrong


zelda is one of my favorite games, and I think its an action rpg.

games I play becuase I like legend of zelda: a link to the past are

-illusions of gaia
-minish cap
-the twisted tales of spike mcfang

games I want becuase I like legend of zelda a link to the past

-secret of mana
-soul blazer
-secret of evermore

and also lets see if a defintion from different sources

occasionally called Legend of Zelda or Zelda, is a high fantasy action-adventure video game series created by Japanese game designers-wikapedia

nintendo.com doesnt have generes but categories
many of the descriptions include explore, puzzle, dungeons, quest.

zelda 1 adventure
zelda 2 action/advenuture
link to the past adventure
ocarina of time adventure
twighlight princess action/adventure