I for one am fine with calling anything that falls into any of those categories RPGs, as long as there is some semblance of character development (levels, ability points that improve from use or experience, etc), and a storytelling component. Giving a game slight perks, or access to different weapons doesn't make it an RPG. It has to be a development of the character from the beginning as a 90lb weakling until the end when they become the Hulkamania. Modern Warfare 2 is NOT an RPG. Bioshock, honestly, is just on the edge. Mass Effect IS an RPG.
Now, you can apply additional labels if you want, but what defines an RPG, to me (and that's the crux of the problem, but I digress), is incremental character improvement. It's the one thread that ties them all together. Without that, you're just playing an action game, a shooter, a puzzle game.
Now, you can apply additional labels if you want, but what defines an RPG, to me (and that's the crux of the problem, but I digress), is incremental character improvement. It's the one thread that ties them all together. Without that, you're just playing an action game, a shooter, a puzzle game.