Adventure vs. Action RPG

[Taisen]

When does an action rpg become an adventure or vica versa? Action rpg sounds like it was coined just to keep zelda an rpg. If zelda is not an rpg where does it belong? Where does the mana series belong? Is the dungeon rpg just a turn based adventure and not an rpg at all?

[Kane]

Mana is more stat based than Zelda... Zelda is very reminiscent of Tomb Raider (the 64 version anyway) in gameplay style.

[Betamax]

moved to game discussion

[kairi00]

To my understanding:

Action RPG = action games (hack n' slash, platforms, etc) coupled with RPG elements (HP, experience points, upgrade weapons/armors, etc). Zelda, LoM, SoM, and many others fall into this category.

Traditinal RPG = well you know what this is. Some have real time battles, others have turn based battles. A lot less emphasis on your gamepad skills compared to Action RPGs. FF, Ultima, Phantasy Star, etc etc falls into this category.

Adventure games = barely any RPG elements... no random battles, only predetermined enemies, no experience points/HPs (often times your character die of one mistake), a HUGE emphasis on puzzle, interaction, and exploration. Most of these are on the PC: Sierra's "Quest" series, Monkey Island series, and I personally would put Shenmue into this category.

[Demigod]

I would classify the Seiken Densetsu series as action-RPGs. It's based on stats but you can freely move your characters around. Parasite Eve series I would also put under the action-RPG class. Games like Zelda I do NOT consider to be RPGs. It's an adventure game to me. I think a lot of people define it as an RPG because it's of its medieval theme (sword and shields).

[Xeven]

is Heroes of Might and Magic an 'rpg' then?

[kairi00]

I'd put Heroes of Might and Magic under sRPG (strategy RPG), like FF Tactics, Shining Force, etc...

Here I am making up all these categories as I go along

[Xeven]

they sound very 'professional' though..

[kairi00]

Originally posted by Xeven
they sound very 'professional' though..

I aim to please.... I am a professional gamer, after all

[Xeven]

you ARE a lot of professional things... like professional hentai freak and stuff like that..

[kairi00]

Originally posted by Xeven
you ARE a lot of professional things... like professional hentai freak and stuff like that..

A wise man once told me, "Strive for excellence in everything you do".... well, look at where that got me now

[Xeven]

'My mom said i could be anything, so i became an ***hole' .. my shirt says..

kai: yeah, a professional gaming hentai batard freak..

Going back, since i've batardized this thread enuff.. , i think supermario 64 is almost an rpg .. just too much jumping i guess..

[Exodus]

what about all those 1st person RPGs like Might & Magic and Elder Scrolls? would those be in their own category, or a mix? traditional maybe?

[Strider]

i dont think either monkey island or heroes of might and magic are rpgs... monkey island is an adventure game, period, and heroes of might and magic is a turn based strategy... i consider soul reaver an action adventure rpg though so theres another category

[RhombusYSS]

Originally posted by kairi00
To my understanding:

Action RPG = action games (hack n' slash, platforms, etc) coupled with RPG elements (HP, experience points, upgrade weapons/armors, etc). Zelda, LoM, SoM, and many others fall into this category.

Does that make stuff like Castlevania SOTN and Super Metroid fall into the Action RPG genre? I dunno, I always considered them, I don't know, more like "freestyle platform" - basically a platform action, but with freedom to go back to previously explored areas etc.

[kairi00]

Originally posted by Exodus
what about all those 1st person RPGs like Might & Magic and Elder Scrolls? would those be in their own category, or a mix? traditional maybe?

As long as there are RPG elements in it (experience points leads to upgrade in HP, MP, skill points, and the purchase of armor, weapon, etc) it's considered an RPG, be it first person or whatever

[kairi00]

Originally posted by RhombusYSS


Does that make stuff like Castlevania SOTN and Super Metroid fall into the Action RPG genre? I dunno, I always considered them, I don't know, more like "freestyle platform" - basically a platform action, but with freedom to go back to previously explored areas etc.

I don't know about Castlevania SOTN, but based on what I know about the other Castleavania games and Super Metroid, they're just your typical freestyle platform. They don't qualify as RPG, because, well, you don't get ability upgrades through gaining experience points.

[Ryos]

There is no difference now. It mostly depends on the region and its perceptions. For example, Zelda 64 was considered an adventure game in Japan; in the USA, an action RPG. Go figure.

[fujita]

I think it's simpler to take it like this. The core of RPG = character development, buying and selling, interact with other NPC. Normal RPG is what you always saw. Action RPG created when an action game is combined with any elements of RPG, and the important one is character development. Some action RPG examples: Alundra - even though it doesn't have character level or experiences, the character do developed through the game, can commence trading and interact with other villagers. Unlike Tomb Raider which is is an action game, Lara didn't have an obvious character development, can't commence trading and didn't have the option to interact. So, I think you can figure the differences.

[RhombusYSS]

Ah, but in Castlevania SOTN, as you gain in level your stats increase, as does HP, MP and heart maximum. There are multiple armors and weapons which you can find and buy - and there are more items throughout the game that give you new abilities and spells.

Haha, I guess I'm arguing just for the sake of it though... I guess SOTN fits the actual definition of an action RPG, but I still view it as an action/adventure game