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Our genre definition

Written in 2020

So, what is a console RPG?

Honestly, I can't tell. What, all of these pages full of text and then there's no answer? The reason is: There is no ISO definition of what exactly the criteria for an RPG and which games are entitled to call themselves RPGs.

Okay, so what is a computer RPG for rpg-o-mania?

Ah, now we are talking. Just kidding, this is what we define as a computer RPG.

"RPGs is a genre whose games are historically based on tabletop RPGs. Vital criteria for this genre are nowadays:

The game can be played on a computer, game console, game handheld or other electronic device with a screen
Progression with experience points and status values that increase with given experience
Menu based combat or combat mechanics that do not rely on direct button inputs
Intense storylines
Vast lands, areas or dungeons to explore
The game includes characters that can be individually created and built or whose skills and abilities can be adapted to the player's liking
The game includes the ability to talk to and interact with NPCs or other story relevant characters
Game outside of battles does not only consist of browsing menus

Not every game we call an RPG does necessarily have to include all of the aforementioned aspects. Usually, two or three of them fulfilled are sufficient for us to qualify a game as an RPG."

There could be some games that fulfill rpg-o-mania's rules without being RPGs at all, but in the end, like said, we did not define a law here. And also, we usually do not differentiate between Japanese, western, action, tactical RPGs or other subgenres. If it's been named in an article here or there, then it's just because some games or series usually are attributed to a certain genre.

The first computer games that were inspired by those games were Akalabeth (a direct predecessor to Ultima) and Wizardry. Those games had turn based combat, a world in a fantasy setting to explore and dungeons presented in a three-dimensional first-person view.

And of course, we at rpg-o-mania also sometimes review or cover games that are not RPGs. I really hope you had a good time reading this little report.

If you totally do not agree with our statement or definition, please let us know in the contacts page!

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