How exactly do we define RPGs

Other Video Games
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How exactly do we differentiate between an RPG game and an action-adventure game? In RPG games we should be able to create our own character (example Skyrim) or select our own main character (example AC Odyssey).

In RPG games you create your own path, shape your own future, and these games always feature various endings. Basically you are your own character shaping your own future.

So I was wondering - Doesn’t that make games like Expedition 33 and even Witcher 3 (my favorite game) fall into the action-adventure genre rather than RPG?

Let’s see…

  1. Expedition 33 has only two endings.

  2. There are multiple characters, but we cannot choose their appearance or gender.

  3. The characters have their own personality; it does not depend on our choices.

Expedition 33 is an excellent game but is it really an RPG? If it is, why is Ghost of Tsushima classified as action adventure?

Many will say that being able to select abilities, upgrade your stats, and all that, makes it an RPG. But those are RPG elements; many non-RPG games can have them as well.

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You bring up a good point, even though I clicked this because I thought you were talking about rocket-propelled grenades (:grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:)

Roleplaying games used to be any game that let you influence the plot at all, instead of most games where you just watch and play along. Grand Theft Auto IV and others of its generation introduced the ability to kill or spare your targets, though often it would have no bearing on the game itself. Metal Gear Solid 1 altered the ending depending on your actions, but the difference was mostly cosmetic because both endings were kinda canon anyway.

The ability to choose dialogue options used to be a hallmark of RPGs, but action-adventure has taken that too.

Then came the ability to actually change an ending dramatically (Ending A, Ending B, Secret Ending) - which might’ve started around the time of GTA IV.
But I think an RPG game is one that gives you enough customization of the character and plot that the develops give the protagonist very little design because they’re a blank slate for the player. Often they don’t have a name (or they have a generic unisex moniker like in Skyrim or Fallout), their skillset is determined by a points system instead of a skill tree, and there’s usually a reputation system with each character. You killed Kenny’s entire family, -5 points :frowning:

tl;dr: It’s a rich blend of the two genres these days, but I choose to believe it’s whether the protagonist has a name :smile:

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