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Every once in a while it's just nice to play something fresh. That's why I like RPG hybrid games, mixtures of RPGs and other genres. Sometimes I just like to get away from the tired dungeons-and-dragons, boy-saves-the-world RPG. Thankfully, there are a good number of hybrids that have been released recently and more are on the way. Hybrid RPG games like Chocobo Tales, Super Paper Mario, and Puzzle Quest certainly refresh gamers tired of the old RPG formula.
Random encounters and turn-based battles might just be getting old. Some hardcore RPG fans may never want those genre elements to change, but casual gamers expect a bit more action in the age of games like Gears of War and Metal Gear Solid 4. Though many RPGs will stick with the formula, others are experimenting with it in attempts to create something greater, or just different. Results vary.
Super Paper Mario is an example of a great hybrid RPG. Not only is it an RPG, but it is also an old-school Mario platformer. The way the game mixes elements of the two makes everything far more interesting than if it been a pure RPG or a pure platforming game, the latter being a genre that has dramatically declined in popularity since the turn of the century. You fight enemies in real-time, just like you would in any platformer, but you may also pull up menus for items and such. Also, there's a lot of text and story in the game, much to the chagrin of some gamers that just want to play the game. In spite of that small issue, the end result is an amazing game that's a lot of fun to play; "fun" being the most important aspect of a game, something that ambitious developers often forget. That's a hybrid for you.
I could go on and on, giving several examples of great hybrid RPGs. Sadly, there are some sorry hybrids as well, like Dirge of Cerberus, that tries to mix RPG and shooter, but is unsuccessful with either. So, there are risks when attempting to combine genre elements. But, for the most part, they usually end up in success.
I believe the fun from RPG hybrids comes from leveling up, story, and exploration when they are utilized in unusual places. Like Puzzle Quest. The puzzle game is addictive, but made even more so because of the fact that the character can level up, even after losing a match, use magic, obtain gold to buy weapons and armor, and there's a story behind it all. These elements make the game much more enjoyable, and perhaps enriching, than if it had been a pure puzzle game. In fact, had it been purely a puzzle game, it would not get half the attention nor sell as well as it is. It would quickly be written off as a Bejeweled rip-off, and I wouldn't even be writing about it.
And so, leveling up, and a host of other RPG elements, makes a game that much more interesting. Doing the same thing over and over just isn't as fun if there's no real reward. Fighting the same enemies over and over gets old, unless the character gets stronger and learns new abilities along the way. This fact, along with great story and longevity, could very well be why RPGs are so popular. So when that element is mixed with the trappings of another genre, the results are, usually, astounding.
I'm excited about some upcoming RPG hybrids. Mass Effect, a RPG and tactical shooter looks like it will be a good candidate for Game of the Year, and Bioshock, both RPG and FPS, looks to re-invent the FPS genre, adding a better foundation and something other than mindlessly killing everything on-screen. Perhaps these two titles will lead the way to a revolution in RPGs, focusing on elements that make the games more fun, not more complex.
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