Japanese RPGs aren't RPGs

[Heran Bago]

You play the role of a generic quite badass sissy boy with "..." as 50% of the dialog.

However in this sense, every game like Mario and all is an RPG.


e: pretty much what Ace Gunman said.


TRPG > SRPGS >JRPG > MMORPG

 

[cenotaph]

Even then, the closest games without being MMORPGs don't allow you to properly role-play. They give you a set of options that most, but not all, people will be able to find a choice they agree with. Still, even those choices often make no real difference in the long run.

But what is "proper role-playing"? Is it having ultimate freedom to play whatever role you like?

No matter what it is, it's irrelevant. Being limited to a number of options is still role-playing as you're still the one in control of the narrative, compared to a scripted/linear game where you're strung along and can't role-play at all.

Perhaps you're looking for a Japanese dating sim, where you choose what to say.
I will pretend I didn't read that, for your sake.

QUOTE

You're wrong

If you want to voice dissent, that's fine. Dissent is good. However, I'd like to see posts that further the development of the thread rather than stuff like this which is just pointless clutter.

Edit: clarified my point.

 

[CockroachMan]

Well.. you are playing a role.. so you are role playing, but I agree with you in the lack of freedom of choice in these games..

Going a little off topic, I think that freedom of choice and story influence are some cool things that are not well explored in games.. Games that have different paths in the story always have very few decisions and paths to go.. or all of them end up in the same place.. Chrono Trigger (my favorite RPG of all time) had a lot of optional quests that influenced the ending, but the last enemy was always the same, and the first time you played the game was almost impossible to level up without doing almost all the quests. Phantasy Star 3 had also different paths and different endings, but they were all very similar and all based on just one simple decision.. everyone considers it to be the worst game in the series..

Anyway, today we have enough power and disc capacity to explore this kind of thing, I would love to see a GTA game where you could decide which gang to follow, or choose if you want to betray your boss or be faithful to him.. anyway, stuff that would change the course of the game.. that would be a lot better than the same PS2 game with shinier graphics.