|
Recent polls, editorials, and message board discussions have sparked debate about what is the most important aspect of an RPG. The two competing areas have been battle system and story. Some claim that story is the most important aspect, as RPGs are all about telling a story and entertaining the player. Others state that stories in RPGs take a back seat to gameplay, as most time is spent with the battle system. That argument is then countered by the fact that without a story, an RPG would not have the heart that makes it special. This point is then bounced back by battle system advocates stating that most stories in RPGs are clichéd and pathetic. The debate could and will go on and on, but ultimately this whole issue is futile. Every aspect matters.
Story and gameplay are both equally important aspects to an RPG. Very many RPG plots may be trite and uninspired, that much is true, but the lack of a decent story easily takes away from the overall quality of the RPG. Can other aspects like the battle system save an RPG with a pathetic story from mediocrity? It is possible that the gameplay could be so great that the lack of plot is overshadowed, but how does that help RPGs differentiate themselves from other genres? On the other end, can an impressive story save a game with horrid gameplay? It can carry some of the weight, but in the end makes the game seem more like a book where the only interactivity comes in the form of thorns on the pages.
So yes, an RPG can survive without either story or gameplay, but the end result is usually not very impressive. For the greatest experience, an RPG needs both even though most of the time one will outweigh the other. While it is true that RPGs will not have stories on par with most quality literature, that comparison is not fair. Books are stories. They contain no physical interaction other than turning the pages, no visual presentation other than font and occasionally some featured artwork, and no music. Just because books have better stories than RPGs does not discount the fact that RPGs have stories. Some might simply involve the player being given free reign of an open world while others may follow a linear path of a youth trying to save the world from a wicked evil. It would also be unfair to discount those RPGs that do truly try something unique with their plots, and I'm not referring to replacing the angst-filled teen with an angst-filled adult. The World Ends With You is a wonderful, recent example of a game that takes even the most clichéd characters and places them in a setting that makes the character interaction interesting. It is true that many recent RPGs have been plagued with recycled plots, but it doesn't take away from the fact that many RPGamers enjoy the feeling of immersion that this genre gives them, making story a key aspect.
The talk of story being of importance should not take away from gameplay. The two truly must walk hand in hand. Without gameplay being a solid aspect, players might as well be watching a movie or reading a book on the screen. Even the greatest cast of characters are nothing if all that you do with them is move around an open area with nothing to do. The "G" in RPG does stand for "game" and as such should be entertaining not just from a story point of view, but in terms of interaction. Graphical presentation along with music and sound play a role in giving the story and battle system an atmosphere. These are not as critical to a game's overall quality, but can help one stand apart from the rest.
Originality is also a very important factor. It's impossible and ridiculous to attempt to judge an RPG against every other RPG in existence, but there is still something to be said about originality. If a game is a clear rip-off of another title or if an RPG takes aspects of other games and improves on them in every way, originality becomes a big factor. A game that is a direct copy and paste of another game, especially one within the same series or a recent release, does nothing as far as originality goes. A game that improves on many past failings should be credited, at least somewhat, for its originality. A game that is unlike anything else that a gamer has ever played will easily stick with that gamer, for better or worse.
In closing, it's important to state how every area of an RPG is important in its own way. Some, such as story and battle system, are more important than others, but they all play their part. Without each area, an RPG just wouldn't be an RPG.
|
RSS feed
iTunes