A Word on Genres

by Tabris 

Obviously, most people would classify RPGs into two genres: Science Fiction or Fantasy. However, there's a bit more to it than that, and I thought I might take a bit of your time in ranting about it for my own entertainment and possibly, your enlightenment, if you so desire.

First, onto the basics. Now, I know some people's ideas are set in stone, but nonetheless, I would like to clarfiy exactly -what- the difference is between Science Fiction and Fantasy. Though some think that 'Fantasy' simply means 'in the past' and Science Fiction means 'in the future', the reality is not nearly so simplistic. Allow me to explain.

'Science Fiction' implies, to put it simply, Fiction about Science. In essence, for a story (an RPG, for the sake of this column) to be Science Fiction, it must have a plot or major plot element that is based largely on some real-life scientific concept.

For a perfect example of a 'Science Fiction' RPG, take Parasite Eve. The big plot element, that being mitochondria, is a very real concept, they -do- create energy seemingly on their own, and there's nothing fictional about it. The fiction is the story element about the mitochondria revolting and causing general mayhem...but I digress.

Now, Fantasy. Think about the word for a minute. 'Fantasy' implies something that does -not- exist, at least not in the physical plane of reality, and a 'Fantasy' story usually involves magic, sorcery, fae creatures, spirituality, or other metaphysical concepts which fall very much out of the jurisdiction of science...or to put it in other terms, stuff that you can't see and touch.

Taking all of this into consideration, wouldn't it be reasonable to classify Final Fantasy VII as a true Fantasy story and not Science Fiction? There's no rule that says Fantasy has to take place in a medieval-type world with castles and knights and such, and it is quite possible to set a Fantasy tale in a thorougly modern or futuristic world (Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross, to some extent, did this as well). And the story of FFVII is based on concepts of the transcendant soul, spiritual power, magic, elemental creatures, and other such things, with scientific concepts being a comparatively minor plot element.

Final Fantasy VIII does this as well, at least, to a point. Both concepts of magic/metaphysics and science seem to be merely side items. If you were to ask me, I'd classify this one as more of an action/drama/romance.

Which brings me to my other point. Not all RPG's are Fantasy or Sci-Fi. Granted, -most- are, but there are a select few that are neither. Final Fantasy VIII, as mentioned above, is one of those.

Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross are what I like to call the bastard children of both genres (This is not to speak against them, I enjoyed both very much), though Chrono Cross, when I played it, struck me as more of an Allegory, in that so very much of it was symbolism. The world it takes place in seems more-or-less modern, give or take a couple hundred years. It had a very romantic/introspective sort of feel to it. (Romantic as in the style of literature, not moonlit nights, wine, roses, knights in shining armor, and little heart-shaped chocolates.)

Final Fantasy Tactics, with a setting not too different from mid-2nd-millenia Europe. I suppose you could change a few names, shift around the map, and sweep a few bits under the carpet and you'd have historical fiction.

And finally Xenogears, the ubertheologicalfantasyscifiallgoricalromanticactionmysterydramaintrospection. Yes, -that- is what it is. Maybe a little more.

I think I went off on something of a tangent there, but anyway, the bottom line is, there's more to Genres than meets the eye, and that Fantasy and Sci-Fi are not concordant in any way, but in fact quite different (Try explaining that to a bookstore owner, though.)

I hope you found this at least somewhat educational.

Tabris