Kotaku: Skyward Sword is a RPG

[Valwin]

I don't know how in the world we missed this in the massive torrent of news, but it's definitely something we need to talk about: Kotaku is saying that Skyward Sword is much more of an RPG than the other recent series entries. But while that discussion is interesting and something I'm going to address after the jump, what I really want to draw attention to is one of the reasons why they say this is.

Apparently there's a certain class of item you can find during the game that really makes this point hit home. Now, if you know me at all by now, you'll know that I like to make my readers work for their info, so if you want to know what's up, read the quote for details.


Most of it's just discussion of how things we already know about are RPG-like, like the shattering shields, item upgrades, and so on, but one particular point caught my eye:

I also found another Fi menu option called "Rumors". I asked the Nintendo people if they could comment on it, which is an inside joke (loyal Kotaku readers will get it). What Rumors would Fi tell me about, I wondered? I clicked the option for her to speak. She started talking about a rumor that "medals" will give you beneficial effects as long as you're carrying them. Oh my. Effects? I can equip special items that bolster certain qualities of my hero or his gear? That's pure RPG right there. I couldn't find any medals, mind you. I didn't even have the one she described, which was a so-called potion medal that extends the duration of potion effects.​

Two things to note here:

• Fi's "rumors" seem to be a much more helpful version of Navi/Tatl/King of Red Lions/Ezlo/Midna's hints, in that they clue you in on game features you may not have noticed otherwise. It sounds like these hints won't just be limited to what you have to do next - they'll also point you towards things like the item upgrades, repairing your shield, as well as...
• The "medals," which seem like the "rings" of Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages ("good ol' Fujibayashi," one of us said in the staff chat when discussing this news). Equip one, and it'll have various effects - the one listed here boosts the effects of potions, I imagine others will bolster your defense or offense, increase your firing speed, let you run faster. The possibilities are endless, really.
• NEW! - Fi will also analyze the items you're currently carrying based on the area you're in. Their suitability for the current region and the balance of the contents of your pouch are both reported to you as percentages. Combine this with recent info about an item bank in the Bazaar and it looks like you'll have to swap out equipment based on your destination once you get a certain number of items.

I'll be honest - this news makes my barely-an-hour old article on how growth in Skyward Sword is expanding beyond just Heart Containers seem like a joke. Not only will we upgrade our equipment, but we'll also upgrade our character?

Everything we've been learning lately really is starting to sound as though Zelda is taking more steps back towards the action RPG realm it pioneered back in the 80s. We're seeing a renewed focus on building up your character through optional equipment rather than just linear progress - something I think we can thank Mr. Fujibayashi and his love of the original The Legend of Zelda for - and we're seeing not only comebacks of these elements but major expansions of them. Is this the "back to basics" approach Aonuma spoke about at E3 2010? It certainly seems so.

Source: http://www.zeldainformer.com/2011/10/kotaku-skyward-sword-is-an-rpg.html

wow nice what you guys think ? can we call Zelda a Action RPG yet ? :3

 

[Guild McCommunist]

I really wouldn't consider it a RPG unless it has like leveling and skills and stuff. By the standards in this, you may as well call God of War, Devil May Cry, Darksiders, etc RPGs.

It's more of an action-adventure with good item mechanics.

 

[machomuu]

Two things:
1. I don't see how this is news. Again, this is just someone's view on something and that's it, no announcement, nothing truly new.
2. I don't see anywhere where it says it's an RPG. The article just said that it is getting closer to the realms of an RPG.

 

[Scott-105]

I think it'd be cool if there was more choices for swords and some have special effects. I'd love if you could level up too. But then, it wouldn't be like the other games...

On second thought, I like how it is now better. This medal thing sounds interesting.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Two things:
1. I don't see how this is news. Again, this is just someone's view on something and that's it, no announcement, nothing truly new.
2. I don't see anywhere where it says it's an RPG.

There's some new content in there and we let plenty of "opinion news" fly in the USN. There were plenty of threads about people who had pretty rough words for the 3DS and Vita, for instance, but they weren't exactly "news".

EDIT: Also, read the underlined segment in the main article. I didn't even underline that, Valwin did.

 

[HaniKazmi]

Does it have levelling? If not, it's not a rpg.

 

[Valwin]

Two things:
1. I don't see how this is news. Again, this is just someone's view on something and that's it, no announcement, nothing truly new.
2. I don't see anywhere where it says it's an RPG.

1. yes is new cuz is one of the most awaited games this year
2 Everything we've been learning lately really is starting to sound as though Zelda is taking more steps back towards the action RPG realm i

 

[machomuu]

Valwin, just because it's "one of the most awaited games of the year" means nothing in terms of news, but Guild makes a good argument.

Two things:
1. I don't see how this is news. Again, this is just someone's view on something and that's it, no announcement, nothing truly new.
2. I don't see anywhere where it says it's an RPG.

There's some new content in there and we let plenty of "opinion news" fly in the USN. There were plenty of threads about people who had pretty rough words for the 3DS and Vita, for instance, but they weren't exactly "news".

EDIT: Also, read the underlined segment in the main article. I didn't even underline that, Valwin did.

I think they're suggesting that it may be getting closer to being an ARPG, but aren't really declaring it as one.

 

[gokujr1000]

At least the Zelda Games are going down a different path right?...

 

[machomuu]

At least the Zelda Games are going down a different path right?...

But is that a good thing?

 

[Valwin]

At least the Zelda Games are going down a different path right?...

But is that a good thing?

Was Not Zelda 2 rpg like or the first one

 

[Guild McCommunist]

At least the Zelda Games are going down a different path right?...

But is that a good thing?

Yes.

I feel like Zelda's starting to become outclassed by its own clones. It's basically been the same game since Ocarina of Time, minus some reskins and some random editions (HOLY SHIT A TALKING BOAT). Really though, it needs to evolve from more than it has been so it can compete with games that are honestly getting more advanced than it.

 

[insidexdeath]

No leveling=No RPG.

 

[gokujr1000]

No leveling=No RPG.

It's a Role Playing Game. Just because we don't know if you level or not in Skyward Sword, probably won't have a leveling system, doesn't just suddenly not Make it a Role Playing game. Leveling IS a major part to RPG's but it doesn't make one.

 

[machomuu]

At least the Zelda Games are going down a different path right?...

But is that a good thing?

Was Not Zelda 2 rpg like or the first one

Yes, Zelda 2 was an RPG.

At least the Zelda Games are going down a different path right?...

But is that a good thing?

Yes.

I feel like Zelda's starting to become outclassed by its own clones. It's basically been the same game since Ocarina of Time, minus some reskins and some random editions (HOLY SHIT A TALKING BOAT). Really though, it needs to evolve from more than it has been so it can compete with games that are honestly getting more advanced than it.

Really? I don't think any of the titles are reskins. I think all of them feel as different as the creators wanted them to be, making large or small gaps in difference and innovation when necessary. This really doesn't seem like too different of a jump from OoT to WW, which considering the vast amount of changes and added content warrants for much more of a reskin.

 

[Valwin]

No leveling=No RPG.

but what if the items level up armor sheld sword ect ?

 

[machomuu]

Leveling = RPG, No Leveling Doesn't always = No RPG.

Though depending on the type of leveling, the first part isn't always true, either.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

No leveling=No RPG.

It's a Role Playing Game. Just because we don't know if you level or not in Skyward Sword, probably won't have a leveling system, doesn't just suddenly not Make it a Role Playing game. Leveling IS a major part to RPG's but it doesn't make one.

I hope you realize that RPGs and role playing games are basically completely different. RPG just somehow became an abbreviation for the whole genre. Technically every game is a role playing game minus strategy games where you're some omnipotent being pulling the strings of the characters. Most every other game features you playing the role of someone in the game. Hence role playing. Hell, Halo is a RPG if you look for role playing. You play the role of Master Chief. You're in his shoes too so that's a plus one to it.

RPGs are usually defined by leveling, gaining experience that improves your stats the more you fight and such. I wouldn't say Zelda is a RPG by those standards.

Why people even fight for the whole "IT'S A RPG" thing is beyond me. Who cares what it is, it's not like we're calling it a FPS. It's an action-adventure game, hardly a genre people consider "bad".

 

[HaniKazmi]

What exactly would be the definition of a rpg?

If it simply means a levelling system, then Zelda isn't one, but everyone has the own definition

 

[machomuu]

What exactly would be the definition of a rpg?

If it simply means a levelling system, then Zelda isn't one, but everyone has the own definition

I don't think there's an official definition, but I'll look one up that seems most accurate. That said, that doesn't mean it = the absolute truth.

Despite being on Wikipedia, this will be the best one you'll find. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_video_game