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{{workUseful Notes}}
A role-playing game (RPG and sometimes roleplaying game) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development. Actions taken within many games succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines.
 
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Despite this variety of forms, some game forms such as trading card games and wargames that are related to role-playing games may not be included. Role-playing activity may sometimes be present in such games, but it is not the primary focus. The term is also sometimes used to describe roleplay simulation games and exercises used in teaching, training, and academic research.
 
'''Subgenres:'''
Sub Genres:
 
* [[Tabletop RPG]]: A tabletop role-playing game, pen-and-paper role-playing game, or table-talk role-playing game is a form of role-playing game (RPG) in which the participants describe their characters' actions through speech. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization,[1] and the actions succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines. Within the rules, players have the freedom to improvise; their choices shape the direction and outcome of the game.
 
* [[Console RPG|Console RPGs]]s often focus on cinematic narratives and memorable characters, usually (but not always) with more linear gameplay and less direct customization than Computer RPGs; Console RPGs typically feel like visual novels, movies or anime. Until recently, most such games came from Japan, and are thus nicknamed [[JRPG|JRPGs]]s. A good point of distinction is that Computer RPGs typically have some Character Customization, whereas an Console RPG will more likely have a preformed Player Character, who might have some customization applied to their abilities but always looks the same. Console RPGs tend to use a turn based or pseudo turn based system where the player individually inputs actions for every character in the team each turn. Good examples of this genre are the ''[[Final Fantasy]], [[Dragon Quest]]'', and ''[[Pokémon]]'' franchises.
 
* [[Computer RPG|Computer RPGs]]s often focus on greater character customization and free-roaming exploration. The main character in this genre tend to have little predefined personality, allowing the player to decide the personality and characterization of the main character via interactive dialogue. Computer RPGs tend to bear a great resemblance to Tabletop RPGs. Examples of this genre include the ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' series, ''[[Mass Effect]]'', and ''[[The Elder Scrolls]]'' series.
 
* [[Action RPG|Action RPGs]]s use the combat interface of an Action Game (usually Fighting Game or Third Person Shooter combat), incorporating the experience and item systems of a traditional RPG. Action RPGs often overlap or are related to games with RPG Elements, as Action RPGs are essentially an in-between, or RPGs with Shooter Elements. As such, distinguishing between Action RPGs and games that simply have RPG Elements is hard, but typically Action RPGs have all skills be viable options for winning the game, whereas games with RPG Elements focus more extensively on action. The best example of this genre is the original Deus Ex.
 
* [[Tactical RPG]]: What seperatesseparates the Tactical RPG subgenre from other RPGs is that they tend to greatly resemble [[Strategy GamesGame]]s, but with RPG Elements.▼
 
* [[Strategy RPG|Strategy RPGs]]s closely resemble Real Time Strategy or [[Tabletop RPG|Tabletop RPGs]]s. The distinction separates games that are on a grid system with standard Console RPG characters (with abilities, more attack options, and so on) and games that are on a grid system but characters are more properly units (they typically have only base attacks, may not have equipment, and so on). A good comparison would be ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'' to the ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' series.▼
▲* [[Tactical RPG]]: What seperates the Tactical RPG subgenre from other RPGs is that they tend to greatly resemble Strategy Games, but with RPG Elements.
 
* [[Roguelike|Roguelikes]]s take their name from the early 1980s ASCII graphics game Rogue. They are defined by the combination of randomly generated worlds and permanent death, meaning that every time time your character dies you have to start completely over in a different set of levels. The focus also tends to be much more on very complex [[Nintendo Hard]] gameplay than story.▼
▲* [[Strategy RPG|Strategy RPGs]] closely resemble Real Time Strategy or [[Tabletop RPG|Tabletop RPGs]]. The distinction separates games that are on a grid system with standard Console RPG characters (with abilities, more attack options, and so on) and games that are on a grid system but characters are more properly units (they typically have only base attacks, may not have equipment, and so on). A good comparison would be Final Fantasy Tactics to the Fire Emblem series.
 
* [[Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game|Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games]]s (MMORPGs) can be any of the above genres, though they gravitate around a fusion of Action and Computer RPGs (as the [[Trope Maker]] ''[[Ultima Online]]'' arose out of a Computer RPG series). They also have their own distinct elements, mainly focusing around large boss battles known as "raids" and [[Player Versus Player]] interactions, as well as more tedious grinding such as fetching [[Twenty Bear Asses]].▼
▲* [[Roguelike|Roguelikes]] take their name from the early 1980s ASCII graphics game Rogue. They are defined by the combination of randomly generated worlds and permanent death, meaning that every time time your character dies you have to start completely over in a different set of levels. The focus also tends to be much more on very complex Nintendo Hard gameplay than story.
 
▲* [[Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game|Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games]] can be any of the above genres, though they gravitate around a fusion of Action and Computer RPGs (as the Trope Maker Ultima Online arose out of a Computer RPG series). They also have their own distinct elements, mainly focusing around large boss battles known as "raids" and Player Versus Player interactions, as well as more tedious grinding such as fetching [[Twenty Bear Asses]].
 
=== Tropes that are commonly found in Role Playing Games: ===
 
{{tropelist}}
* [[Actually Four Mooks]] <br />An enemy appears as a single sprite, but turns out to be a whole party of baddies in actual combat.
* [[Adam Smith Hates Your Guts]] <br />The farther you get in a game, the more expensive stuff will be.
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* [[Parabolic Power Curve]] <br />A situation where, as your character gains levels, they begin getting less effective in certain tasks.
* [[Party in My Pocket]] <br />Only the main character is shown walking around; other party members will appear when needed, or even walk out of his body.
* [[Perpetually Static]] <br />Rules in an [[Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game|MMORPG]] that prevents the game from being changed unduly by the players.
* [[Player Party]] <br />A set of characters whom you control together throughout the game.
* [[Player Personality Quiz]] <br />A quiz during character creation that determines your alignment or statistics.
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* [[Welcome to Corneria]] <br />[[NPC|NPCs]] keep saying the same thing over and over again.
* [[You All Look Familiar]] <br />There are only a few NPC models; you'll see it repeated over and over again.
* [[Zip Mode]] <br />A subtype known as Dash Mode is extremely popular: holding a button will make the party run. May increase the chance of [[Random Encounter|Random Encounters]]s
 
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Roleplaying Games]]
[[Category:PagesGame needing more categoriesTropes]]
[[Category:Video Game Genres]]
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