Games That Are Technically RPGs But Feel Different

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Summary

  • The RPG genre is hard to define, but some givaways are the existance of choice-driven stats and an emphasis on story.
  • The rise in popularity of RPGs spawned games with RPG elements mixed with different playstyles.
  • Various games, like Dark Souls, XCOM, and Pokemon, showcase RPG elements differently.

It can be challenging to clearly define what makes a game fall under the “roleplaying” category, as there are many examples that incorporate some elements but not others, thus creating a blurred genre boundary. To keep things straightforward, we’ll consider RPGs as games featuring “progression based on player choices, with a focus on story development.

During character creation or as the game progresses, the decisions players make tend to define their character’s specialization, thereby limiting their character’s role to a particular field. The surge in interest for Role-Playing Games (RPGs), particularly action RPGs and skill trees, has resulted in a multitude of games that are technically classified as RPGs but may not play like traditional ones.

6. Dark Souls

Timing Based Action But With Plenty Of RPG in Its Bones

The essence of the game Dark Souls can be traced to the Wizardry series, which heavily emphasized the exploration aspect of the dungeon crawler genre and were among the first efforts to computerize tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. Similar to this less-known (particularly in the West) series, players select character classes, earn experience points (or souls), level up, and tailor their characters with equipment.

Dark Souls falls under the “action roleplaying” category, where player skill plays a significant role. Contrary to popular belief, often tagged as one of the toughest games ever made, Dark Souls becomes less challenging and even more manageable as players delve deeper into the game. This is particularly true if they’re consistently improving their character through grinding and strategic stat upgrades.

5. XCOM

Tactical Squad Action With Heavy RPG Undercurrents

Sometimes it’s argued that the actions and decisions made within video games, particularly RPGs, largely take place inside the player’s mind rather than on the screen. If this is accurate, then XCOM suits this description well, despite being designed primarily as a tactical, turn-based game. The players guide their team from an overhead viewpoint, investigating alien technology and improving their base. However, soldiers can advance in rank, specialize in specific roles, and acquire class-specific bonuses.

The high level of detail for each soldier not just visually, but also in terms of their background stories, allows players to develop a deep emotional bond with their squad. It’s quite common for fans to discuss the backstories of their favorite characters, often those who met a tragic end during active duty. While these characters are only ever seen on the battlefield, it’s worth noting that early Dungeons & Dragons characters were solely associated with the realm of dungeon exploration.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Problem Of Definitions

For certain gaming enthusiasts, an RPG refers to a type of game where players assume a character and act out their role. To others, it signifies having the ability to design a character and jointly write the narrative through dialogue options and actions (or lack thereof). Those who view the genre as the former will find The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt fitting within this category, but for those who don’t (who may have difficulty classifying traditional JRPGs), The Witcher 3 leans more toward the “action adventure” genre.

It’s possible that Geralt of Rivia’s well-developed personality leads some fans of open-world RPGs to debate whether The Witcher 3 should be considered a role-playing game, as the exceptional writing and immersive presentation leave little room for players to contribute their own imagination. Whether it feels like a traditional RPG or an action game disguised by stats and multiple paths depends on personal preference and interpretation.

3. Pokemon Red & Blue

More Than Just A Collection Adventure

As a dedicated fan, I’d like to clarify that while Pokemon might initially seem like a simple collection game, similar to collecting bugs, it is essentially a Role-Playing Game (RPG) at its core. In this world, players are not just gathering creatures, but managing their stats, engaging in strategic, turn-based battles, and making decisions that significantly impact the strength and weaknesses of their teams. Some gamers might balk at labeling it an RPG, perhaps due to the competitive nature of the battling, which feels more like a sport than traditional combat. However, there are numerous examples of sport-themed RPGs now, making Pokemon’s unique blend of genres even more appealing.

Moreover, Pokémon is unique in that it unfolds within a commonplace environment, albeit equipped with advanced technologies such as teleporting Pokémon and storage systems. Unlike many role-playing games (RPGs), which typically immerse players in grandiose fantasy or futuristic realms, Pokémon centers around the individual and personal quest to achieve Champion status, rather than combating impending doom or rescuing mystical kingdoms.

2. Assassin’s Creed: Origins

Climbing A Different Tree Of Knowledge

Back in the day when I was playing the original Assassin’s Creed games from the late 00s and early 10s, some might have raised an eyebrow at seeing Assassin’s Creed: Origins on a list. But after the series took a turn with its soft reboot, each new game introduced enough RPG aspects (like skill trees, gear upgrades, and a focus on dialogue and quests) to justify calling it a role-playing game.

Although numbers and progression played a more significant role, the parkour and action elements in Origins still seemed deeply ingrained in the series’ action-focused heritage. Since Origins is set before the formation of the Assassin Brotherhood, it was storytelling-wise logical that stealth and social stealth might be less emphasized if players opted to specialize in combat, either as a warrior or the seer’s versatile abilities.

1. Borderlands

On The Border Between Buildcraft Roleplay And Pew Pew Shooting

Despite numerous role-playing games featuring firearms that rely heavily on statistics, merging a first-person shooter with a statistically-based RPG might initially appear illogical. In reality, receiving gunshots to the head or vital organs wouldn’t result in decreased health points but would lead to immediate death instead.

It’s quite enjoyable to keep firing a gun repeatedly, especially when it causes numbers to pop up as enemies get hit instead of them instantly perishing. The sense of fulfillment from obtaining a more powerful weapon with progressively superior attributes is also noteworthy. In addition to enhancing abilities through stats, there are additional quests available and skill trees and character classes that restrict players to a specific gameplay style (or role).

It’s fun to keep shooting guns and see numbers appear when enemies get hit instead of them dying instantly. The thrill of getting better weapons with improved stats is cool too. There are also extra missions, as well as skill trees and character classes that limit you to one way of playing (or role).

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2025-01-28 06:34