Best RPG of the decade

[PotRoast]

I now declare this thread is no longer about the best RPG of the decade and now about which game is more of an RPG: Mass Effect 2 or Final Fantasy XIII (neither of which were eligible for Best RPG of the decade).

[Starmongoose]

Mass Effect 2 is more of an RPG. Its not a hard choice.

[Sagacious-T]

Also a much better game.

[OkamiGeisha]

Things used to be a lot simpler and bullshit-free when we were younger.

Right on.. That made me laugh!  Certainly I don't remember anyone in 1987 arguing over whether or not a game like Zelda was an RPG but we sure spent hours on the living room floor playing it. 

[MeshGearFox]

Right on.. That made me laugh!  Certainly I don't remember anyone in 1987 arguing over whether or not a game like Zelda was an RPG but we sure spent hours on the living room floor playing it. 

I wasn't even alive for the better part of 1987, let alone playing Zelda.

[Sagacious-T]

Right on.. That made me laugh!  Certainly I don't remember anyone in 1987 arguing over whether or not a game like Zelda was an RPG but we sure spent hours on the living room floor playing it. 

I wasn't even alive for the better part of 1987, let alone playing Zelda.

I had just broken up with my wife after she cheated on me with a Latino Midget. Oh how Zelda eased my pain. I have played many RPGs since then that have helped me forget.. forget.. forget..

*Glances over at my glass window and sees a reflection of myself*

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Alan_01987]

Isn't every video game technically an RPG? because you're playing a roles :P

For better or worse, "RPG" means " combat dice rolls " in computer game terms which means a combat is sort of tied to the idea of virtual dice rolls. If I choose to attack an enemy, an imaginary dice is rolled to determine whether my attack is successful and how much damage it inflicts. It's got nothing to do with whether or not the game lets you "play a role" or "avatar", despite what the letters stand for. Also, It’s important to consider the concept of hybrids like Mass Effect and FF13 . NPC/social interaction, exploration, Town simulation and non-linearity are elements that can enhance the gaming experience for you but that doesn’t define the genre.

[Parn]

For better or worse, "RPG" means " combat dice rolls " in computer game terms which means a combat is sort of tied to the idea of virtual dice rolls. If I choose to attack an enemy, an imaginary dice is rolled to determine whether my attack is successful and how much damage it inflicts.

My favorite RPG is Civilization IV.  Master of Orion 2 comes in a close second.

[Themadcow]

I associate RPG's with a kind of social stigma that you just can't apply to other gaming genres. If you're confused as to which is more the RPG - FF or ME then you just have to think "which one would make me seem more nerdy to the average man or woman in the street if they watched me play it for an hour?". No matter how generally accepted the RPG is, most non-RPG'ers would associate playing it with wearing a wizard's hat in private.

The technicalities - such as the ability to improve your character(s) through xp (or a deriative), ability to choose a specialist path, virtual dice rolls, adherance to fantasy or sci-fi characteristics... these are all secondary to the social stigma test.

[Eusis]

That might be within the gaming community, and not the more dedicated parts you'd see here or on other forums. The wide social stigma is that we're all playing murder simulators.

[Sagacious-T]

I bet if I showed a girl Mass Effect 2, even just the intro she'd be like "holy fuck"

If I showed her FF13 she'd probably beat the shit out of me and then put pictures on facebook.

[PotRoast]

I bet if I showed a girl Mass Effect 2, even just the intro she'd be like "holy fuck"

If I showed her FF13 she'd probably beat the shit out of me and then put pictures on facebook.

Do that and then get back to us with the results.

[Starmongoose]

I bet if I showed a girl Mass Effect 2, even just the intro she'd be like "holy fuck"

If I showed her FF13 she'd probably beat the shit out of me and then put pictures on facebook.

If you played FF13, you wouldn't mind the beating and humiliation - because you are quite clearly a masochist.

[MeshGearFox]

Has there ever been a good murder simulator? Do you need to hide the bodies and try not to leave fingerprints in GTA while watching your heartrate to ensure you don't panic and fuck things up? No, you don't, and that's why it sucks.

Additionally Doom is a game about killing satan and his demonic hordes. It's a perfectly goodly Christian game in that sense. I mean if look I know the Good Book doesn't make any mention of Mars, but I'm pretty sure if demons invaded it, The Pope himself would go there in a b..attlesui..t to f...uck some shit... up............. WAIT THAT NEEDS TO BE A GAME. NOW.

[Kevadu]

Additionally Doom is a game about killing satan and his demonic hordes. It's a perfectly goodly Christian game in that sense. I mean if look I know the Good Book doesn't make any mention of Mars, but I'm pretty sure if demons invaded it, The Pope himself would go there in a b..attlesui..t to f...uck some shit... up............. WAIT THAT NEEDS TO BE A GAME. NOW.

Mesh, for once I completely agree with you.