So, I've gotten into the habit of writing out random thoughts recently, probably to improve my handwriting. One of the ideas that popped into my head is a way of classifying games in the 'miscellaneous' genre of gaming, the RPG.
As I see it, most RPG elements can be classified into two types; Combat and Narrative oriented.
Combat-Oriented elements revolve around the combat gameplay of an RPG, including things like
- Leveling
- Skill tree
- A HP/MP system
- Inventory/gear management
- Loot tables
Narrative-Oriented elements, on the other hand, concern the narrative progression of the RPG, possibly including things such as;
- Branching story lines/conversations
- Detailed contextual information
- Well-Characterised NPC's (Or just a whole lot of them, as long as they're important)
- Party dialogue
- Story emphasis
As such, most RPG's can be classified into two archtypes, depending on which system(s) they employ;
Passive RPG's; Action games with combat-oriented RPG elements, like Diablo and Zelda
Active RPG's; Games combining both narrative and combat oriented elements usually with narrative given priority, like Oblivion and Dragon Age: Origins
So, discussion;
Do you have any systems you use to classify game genre's that are, in your opinion, overcrowded?
Does it at all bother you that games such as Torchlight and Mass Effect are penned under the same label?
Are there any games that you feel have been classified in the wrong section of gaming?
As I see it, most RPG elements can be classified into two types; Combat and Narrative oriented.
Combat-Oriented elements revolve around the combat gameplay of an RPG, including things like
- Leveling
- Skill tree
- A HP/MP system
- Inventory/gear management
- Loot tables
Narrative-Oriented elements, on the other hand, concern the narrative progression of the RPG, possibly including things such as;
- Branching story lines/conversations
- Detailed contextual information
- Well-Characterised NPC's (Or just a whole lot of them, as long as they're important)
- Party dialogue
- Story emphasis
As such, most RPG's can be classified into two archtypes, depending on which system(s) they employ;
Passive RPG's; Action games with combat-oriented RPG elements, like Diablo and Zelda
Active RPG's; Games combining both narrative and combat oriented elements usually with narrative given priority, like Oblivion and Dragon Age: Origins
So, discussion;
Do you have any systems you use to classify game genre's that are, in your opinion, overcrowded?
Does it at all bother you that games such as Torchlight and Mass Effect are penned under the same label?
Are there any games that you feel have been classified in the wrong section of gaming?
