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

[garrett123]

My group of gaming friends and I always called it an "action RPG", and I never really thought twice about it. Really, any game where you use a character you are "playing the roll" of that character, so wouldnt that make ALL games Roll playing games? This thread makes my head hurt . I think I'm gonna continue to just call LoZ an awesome game and not get too picky about its classification.

I agree, its an action rpg. this post was created becuase I listed this as an action rpg, and everyone started saying that an rpg you can improve your character, but in this your character is the same, not including weapons. I beleive action rpgs, and turn base rpgs, and plain rpgs are different types of rpgs. just like need for speed, mario kart, and boat racing/space ship racing games are different racing games. ok bring on the comments.

[Erik_Twice]

Anyways, those threads tend to be a semantic exercise since everone is capable of knowing if a logical proposition A equals to A. Debates like "Are games art?" aren't never so, for no definition of "art" (or "game" for that matter) is ever given but assumed, which leads to bullshit discussions.

Really, everyone can know if something is X as long as you define X!

So, what does constitute a roleplaying game? I would say that a roleplaying game is a game where you can roleplay or act out as a certain person, by definition of the word. Zelda and FF contain no roleplay so it's use would be a misomer.


Stricly speaking D&D and GURPS are roleplaying systems that can be used for both roleplaying and things that aren't roleplaying like wargaming at a reduced scale or dungeon crawling in the gygaxian style.

[elmagicochrisg]

Here watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sglKS-Hf ... e=g-user-u

That guy is highly entertaining!...

Much better than CGR...

[BurningDoom]

Here watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sglKS-Hf ... e=g-user-u

That guy is highly entertaining!...

Much better than CGR...

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

But in relation to the subject at hand, he only focuses on JRPGs and the early games that influenced JRPGs. There's still action-RPGs and Strategy-RPG subgenres that weren't covered there. Zelda could fall under action-RPG, at least in some aspects of the game such as it's character upgrades, explorable world, and fantasy elements.

[dunpeal2064]

By most of these definitions, Metroid would also be an rpg

There is a huge difference between an action rpg like Star Ocean or Tales of, and an action game like Legend of Zelda.

Action rpgs have combat systems... Zelda is hack n slash.

The question should be, "Is Secret of Mana really an rpg?"

Then there is some good discussion to be had.

[Breetai]

Its Adventure. This thread is awful. Thankyou for acting like an Idiot.

Welcome to Racketboy.

I present to you this verse from the Bible:

Why do you look at the spot of dust in your brother's eye? But you do not see a big stick in your own eye!

By most of these definitions, Metroid would also be an rpg

There is a huge difference between an action rpg like Star Ocean or Tales of, and an action game like Legend of Zelda.

Action rpgs have combat systems... Zelda is hack n slash.

That's exactly it. If you define Zelda games are RPG games at all, then the qualifications uses also apply to things like Metroid games, Devil May Cry type games, etc. Are those RPGs? The only difference is the view point and a greater focus on interactive story over cut-scenes.

[3DSStrider]

Action Adventure.
Seriously, people calling Zelda an RPG is my berserk button.

[elmagicochrisg]

Think Zelda and read this:

Role-playing game

[Jmustang1968]

Think Zelda and read this:

Role-playing game

It would be more appropriate to read this:

Role-playing video game

and:
Action role-playing game

[3DSStrider]

By my standards, no.
I define an RPG as a game that places an emphasis on leveling up player controlled characters to increase statistics that make said characters more useful, customising equipment (armor, weapons, magic, etc.), and strategic use of items and skills during battle.
Zelda, as you can see dosen't fully relize these requirements. Thus, to me, it does not qualify as an RPG.