What makes an RPG? Apparently, not much. Let's get something strait. I personally liked Borderlands, but it is definitely not an RPG. Let's have a look at the reasons why it is and isn't an RPG.
Why it is an RPG:
1-Leveling: While leveling systems are found in more games than just RPGs, it is a critical element for an RPG to have. Outside of RPGs, leveling systems are mainly used in multiplayer.
2-Loot: All RPG games give you the ability to loot enemy corpses. I can't think of any games that aren't RPGs where you loot enemies bodies (ammo doesn't count).
3-Talent Trees: Borderlands includes a World of Warcraft-like talent system. Every level you gain, you get a talent point to spend in one of three talent trees.
4-Quests: There are quests in Borderlands, although they are mostly go-here-and-kill-that kind of quests. Sometimes, for a bit of fun, you'll get a kill-the-big-and-especially-mean-looking-thing-and-bring-me-it's-item quest.
Why it is not an RPG:
1-Zero Character Customization: You pick one of four premade characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and talents. Modern Warfare 2 has that. Can you edit their skills or appearance? Well, you can change their name and armor color.
2-It's not my character, so it's not me: In an RPG, you should be able to create your own character, and this point kind of goes along with my first. When I play a good RPG, I should be immersed in the storyline and feel like what happens is up to, like I'm in the game, and Borderlands doesn't give me that feeling. This brings me to my next point:
3-Choices: An RPG should give you choices, in action and in word. Your choices should affect the characters and the world around you. It should provoke a lot of thought in decision making. Which benefits me most? How will it effect the story. You won't see any of this in Borderlands.
4-Lack of a compelling story- I need to want to see how the story progresses. There is almost no story in Borderlands and the little bit there is is generic and dull.
I'd like to end this review by giving it two different scores: an overall score, and an RPG score.
Game Score: 7/10- I give the game a 7 out of 10 because it is by no means a bad game, but it isn't unique or inventive either. It's not a must have, but it's worth buying if you want a new game to play.
RPG Score: 4/10- While it has some RPG elements, Borderlands is missing the most critical element of a role-playing game: immersion. What I mean is I should feel like I am my character, like I have an impact on the world and the characters around me. I should feel in control of what happens next. Borderlands is not an RPG. It's an RPG-ish shooter. So if you want a decent shooter game and have all the must have games, you won't regret buying Borderlands, but you will certainly lose interest in favor of other games, especially if you're like me and your true love is a good RPG.
Thanks for taking the time to read my first game review. Any constructive criticism is appreciated, so please leave your comments below.
Why it is an RPG:
1-Leveling: While leveling systems are found in more games than just RPGs, it is a critical element for an RPG to have. Outside of RPGs, leveling systems are mainly used in multiplayer.
2-Loot: All RPG games give you the ability to loot enemy corpses. I can't think of any games that aren't RPGs where you loot enemies bodies (ammo doesn't count).
3-Talent Trees: Borderlands includes a World of Warcraft-like talent system. Every level you gain, you get a talent point to spend in one of three talent trees.
4-Quests: There are quests in Borderlands, although they are mostly go-here-and-kill-that kind of quests. Sometimes, for a bit of fun, you'll get a kill-the-big-and-especially-mean-looking-thing-and-bring-me-it's-item quest.
Why it is not an RPG:
1-Zero Character Customization: You pick one of four premade characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and talents. Modern Warfare 2 has that. Can you edit their skills or appearance? Well, you can change their name and armor color.
2-It's not my character, so it's not me: In an RPG, you should be able to create your own character, and this point kind of goes along with my first. When I play a good RPG, I should be immersed in the storyline and feel like what happens is up to, like I'm in the game, and Borderlands doesn't give me that feeling. This brings me to my next point:
3-Choices: An RPG should give you choices, in action and in word. Your choices should affect the characters and the world around you. It should provoke a lot of thought in decision making. Which benefits me most? How will it effect the story. You won't see any of this in Borderlands.
4-Lack of a compelling story- I need to want to see how the story progresses. There is almost no story in Borderlands and the little bit there is is generic and dull.
I'd like to end this review by giving it two different scores: an overall score, and an RPG score.
Game Score: 7/10- I give the game a 7 out of 10 because it is by no means a bad game, but it isn't unique or inventive either. It's not a must have, but it's worth buying if you want a new game to play.
RPG Score: 4/10- While it has some RPG elements, Borderlands is missing the most critical element of a role-playing game: immersion. What I mean is I should feel like I am my character, like I have an impact on the world and the characters around me. I should feel in control of what happens next. Borderlands is not an RPG. It's an RPG-ish shooter. So if you want a decent shooter game and have all the must have games, you won't regret buying Borderlands, but you will certainly lose interest in favor of other games, especially if you're like me and your true love is a good RPG.
Thanks for taking the time to read my first game review. Any constructive criticism is appreciated, so please leave your comments below.
