Adventure vs. Action RPG

Taisen · March 22nd, 2002, 19:03

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** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:17

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

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**Betamax** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:24

moved to game discussion

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**kairi00** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:27

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.

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**Demigod** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:29

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).

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**Xeven** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:30

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

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**kairi00** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:32

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

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**Xeven** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:34

they sound very 'professional' though..

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**kairi00** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:45

Quote:

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

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

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**Xeven** · March 22nd, 2002, 19:59

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

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**kairi00** · March 22nd, 2002, 20:03

Quote:

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

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**Xeven** · March 22nd, 2002, 20:15

'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..

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Exodus · March 22nd, 2002, 20:30

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?

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Strider · March 22nd, 2002, 21:07

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

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RhombusYSS · March 22nd, 2002, 21:14

Quote:

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.

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**kairi00** · March 22nd, 2002, 21:47

Quote:

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

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**kairi00** · March 22nd, 2002, 21:48

Quote:

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.

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**Ryos** · March 22nd, 2002, 23:30

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.

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fujita · March 23rd, 2002, 01:35

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.

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RhombusYSS · March 23rd, 2002, 07:50

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

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Tsuyokereba ikiru, yowakereba shinu. Sorya kono jinsei no ichiban taisetsu na shinjitsu...jaa, soshite, ikura jinrui no inochi ga kouka ka misete kure!

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March 22nd, 2002, 19:03	#1
Taisen Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1,317	Adventure vs. Action RPG 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?

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March 22nd, 2002, 19:17	#2
Kane 邪魔ゎ指せない Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Gosport, England Posts: 26,303	Mana is more stat based than Zelda... Zelda is very reminiscent of Tomb Raider (the 64 version anyway) in gameplay style. __________________ >Site Live< Pop over to my site for help with setting up PSX emulators. Help for the Final Fantasies and other RPGs avalaible Celes: (Desktop) Phenom II X4, 4Gb DDR2, GeForce 8800 GTS 320Mb, 32Gb OCZ Vertex SSD, 500Gb RAID HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium Erika: (MCPC) Revo3610, Windows 7 Home Premium Kimiko: (Craptop) HP Mini 210

March 22nd, 2002, 19:24	#3
Betamax Resident Movie Critic Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland Posts: 9,506	moved to game discussion __________________ Superior marketing of an inferior product will always win over inferior marketing of a superior product.

March 22nd, 2002, 19:27	#4
kairi00 Puchiko-nyu! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 49° 11' N 123° 10' W Posts: 2,853	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. __________________ "Not every ejaculation deserves a name." --- George Carlin

March 22nd, 2002, 19:29	#5
Demigod これはバタスです Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,332	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). __________________ CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Mobo: Intel DX48BT2 Memory: 4096 MB PC10600 DDR3 Videocard: PNY Geforce 9800 GX2 Soundcard: On-board SigmaTel High Definition Audio Hard drive: 120 GB OCZ RevoDrive PCI-E SSD & 1 TB Hitachi Optical drive: LG GGW-H20L (2x BD-R DL) PSU: Nexus 1000 Watt PSU OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) Proud millionaire folder of the NGEmu folding team

March 22nd, 2002, 19:30	#6
Xeven A BIG BAD BATARD™ Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,568	is Heroes of Might and Magic an 'rpg' then? __________________

March 22nd, 2002, 19:32	#7
kairi00 Puchiko-nyu! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 49° 11' N 123° 10' W Posts: 2,853	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 __________________ "Not every ejaculation deserves a name." --- George Carlin

March 22nd, 2002, 19:34	#8
Xeven A BIG BAD BATARD™ Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,568	they sound very 'professional' though.. __________________

March 22nd, 2002, 19:59	#10
Xeven A BIG BAD BATARD™ Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,568	you ARE a lot of professional things... like professional hentai freak and stuff like that.. __________________

March 22nd, 2002, 20:15	#12
Xeven A BIG BAD BATARD™ Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,568	'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.. __________________

March 22nd, 2002, 20:30	#13
Exodus ...and now they do. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Null Posts: 20,000	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? __________________ No, I don't like anime, Street Fighter, Japanese music or download video game music. Yes, I know, I'm weird.

March 22nd, 2002, 21:07	#14
Strider Living Paradigm Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 10,223	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 __________________ My Deviant Art

March 22nd, 2002, 23:30	#18
Ryos Bearsona Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,307	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. __________________ Sanity is overrated.

March 23rd, 2002, 01:35	#19
fujita Tiger of Jiang Dong Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Inter Galactic & Dimensional Center Posts: 964	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. __________________ Elly taught us that sometimes sacrifices only lead to more suffering. Aribeth taught us that sometimes the public don't deserve protection. Jeane taught us how important to respect the privacy of others. SOR PROJECT : WHERE EVERYTHING IS REAL

March 23rd, 2002, 07:50	#20
RhombusYSS -=NJ Nets NBA Champs 2k2= Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 384	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 __________________ "Nuh hee ga hip-hop eul ah neu nyah?" Long live the NJ Nets!! Next target: Baron Davis and the Hornets Tsuyokereba ikiru, yowakereba shinu. Sorya kono jinsei no ichiban taisetsu na shinjitsu...jaa, soshite, ikura jinrui no inochi ga kouka ka misete kure! Windows XP Pro, Athlon 1.5 Ghz, 512 MB DDR RAM, ASUS 6800 Deluxe GeForce 32MB DDR, SB Audigy Gamer