Console Style RPGs v.s. CRPGs

by Carl Batchelor 

Since that first day I played Ultima Exodus, I have been hooked on Role Playing games. I keep buying new computers and upgrading the ones I have only because I hunger for RPGs so badly that I will buy any necessary hardware just to play them.

However, one thing I have noticed through the years, especially now, is how much better "console" RPGs are better then CRPGS (computer rpgs).

I have gotten into heated discussions about this, and granted, there are truly remarkable CRPGs, like Daggerfall, Might and Magic, and the Ultima series. But can any of them beat the raw adrenaline producing impact of Lunar:EB, Final Fantasy III, Genso Suikoden, or Phantasy Star? I do not believe so....

CRPGs are geared toward an audience that no longer exists. Back in the past--the early Eighties, to be exact--I was satisfied with the old gold box D&D games. Their turn based combat and large areas to explore gave me everything I wanted. Only, however, because the RPG genre was still new and not yet taken seriously by most companies. Gamers wanted stats, they wanted walking numbers on their screen, they wanted THac0, they wanted Armor Class, they wanted charisma and dexterity points, they wanted to drool over and watch these stats as they played a glorified game of pen and paper D&D.

Basically, games were split into two groups. You had the hard core, D&D type RPGs on your PC, and the silly little action games for Nintendo and Atari users.

Once Square released Final Fantasy, things began to change. Games like Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy found their own little following and became an alternative form of RPG; an RPG based on plot and combat instead of stats and numbers.

With the runaway success of Square's Final Fantasy games, and both Square AND Working Designs making games for the PC, I begin to wonder if my dream (and many others' dream, I'm sure) of console RPGs on the PC will become a reality.

Will companies now make RPGs that resemble Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star, and Dragon Warrior? Instead of games like Betrayal at Antara and Dragon Dice? (Not to pick on specific games.)

I believe this is the way RPGs will evolve. I read an article which previewed an upcoming Windows95 RPG that was VERY similiar to Phantasy Star, even mirroring its combat system. (Editor's Note: I believe this game is called Septerra Core.) I think that computer RPG-ers are fed up with the current selection of RPGs. They want something plot-based, something with heavy combat and character development, something that doesnt rely on graphics and stats to wow them.

This is a message for all the game companies that are still stuck making "old school" RPGs. We want Console-style RPGs for our PC ... it's long overdue. This recent trend started by Square and Working Designs is refreshing to see. Let's hope other companies get the message and follow their lead.