Description of an RPG game?

How would one describe an RPG game? For example, I played a game called Daemonica, and I am wondering if this is an RPG game?
Margie

I did a little research and Daemonica seems to be described as an adventure game or a murder mystery.

A role playing game typically focuses on assuming the role of a character and developing that character by increasing skills, powers, etc., that often involve specific quest to acquire such skills. It can include aspects of adventure, action and strategy but development of your character is central. (Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong since I'm a shooter, not an RPG'er!).

Craig, you're right. Character development is central to an RPG.

Most RPG's allow you to create your own character, and as the game progresses -- usually though a series of quests that involve wits and/or combat -- the character gains experience and becomes stronger and more skilled.

There is always a story line that runs through the game. Most of the time the story line is epic in nature, meaning that your character works his or her way through minor quests nd battles towards the final, cataclysmic battle that will decide the fate of the world.

Characters in the game usually are mages, fighters, healers, thieves, or some combination or version of the above.

Some RPG's allow you to have other people adventuring with you, while in others your character fights alone.

RPG's are fun!

Thanks for the information. Just curious, do RPG's involve a lot of fighting?
Margie

Most do. There are a few (they are far in between though) that does not involve much fighting, if you play your cards right. For example, I think that in Planescape: Torment you only had to resort to combat six times or so during the entire game...in such games it all depends on how you create your characters. Many games allow you to talk your way out of some situations rather than fighting. Depends on what type of character you would like to play.

And that is what is so good about RPGs. You can re-live the same storyline in different ways, try out new options and see the results. I think I sometimes live myself into the role of my PC (Player Character) too much, though.

What kind of fighting it is depends entirely on the game. Some action-RPGs rely on frenetic mouse-clicking, other are determined by set of rules and others are a mix of both. I personally prefer having a set of rules to go on, since I never liked having to win combat by killing my mouse.

Sometimes the other aspects of a game outweighs this, though. Take Morrowind, for example...an amazing game, very interesting storyline, lots to explore, nice atmosphere...but horrible combat system. I would even say that that is the worst part of the entire game system. Still you will fight through 75% of the game, and it is still enjoyable. It's a thin line the developers wander sometimes.

Maybe I rambled on a bit there (sorry about that!), but to summarize; yes, most RPGs involve lots of fighting but usually there are (player-determined) options to avoid fighting in certain parts of the games.

Margiesam, if you liked Daemonica (with its RPG elements) you might like to try some other games that are what could be called RPG lites. They're really more adventure than RPG, but it gives you a little different type of game to play than straight adventure, and you can work up to RPGs if you think you might like them. There will still be some fighting, but not so much. Some of these would be The Fifth Disciple, Dragonriders of Pern, and if you're able to play older games, The Quest for Glory series is good.

Thanks Drizzt and Nickie. I am not ready to play a highly intensive fighting RPG game yet, however I will try the Fifth Disciple that you suggested Nickie. I don't mind fighting a little and I like the idea of role-playing, so I will see.
Thanks for the description and suggestions.

Margie

Great Margie! And we're always here if you have questions on the games. Hope you have fun!

An RPG is a game you play for days, weeks, months sometimes years

That's a bit of strange description...