The best RPG of all time? Not even an RPG to begin with.

[Shodan]

I played this through family share and it was alright, but why is it often called the best RPG of all time when it literally isn't even of an RPG to begin with?

The main story is completely linear and you're forced to go through all objectives in the designed order and do all of that in the designed way. There are some occasional simple and scripted choices which determine the simple and scripted outcomes at the end of the game, just like in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

You can't create a character and you can't make a build. There is only a leveling system with a skill tree which is also a thing in a game like Far Cry 3.

This is what gets called the best RPG of all time despite not even being one at all, yet Fallout 4 actually is one (in a simplified, casual way which is stupid, but at least it's something) and people still refuse to call it an RPG. Amazing logic.

Some of the best RPGs out there (or RPGs to begin with), as well actually awesome games that aren't hilariously overrated would be Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout: New Vegas, for example. Everyone who calls this the greatest RPG of all time should really consider playing something that resembles an RPG before making such stupid statements.

But then again, I wouldn't trust a company that markets their game as a complex RPG only to rebrand it into "an action-adventure story" right ahead of launch to know how to make an RPG or just any kind of a good game at all, since all this game has is a decent story and that one emotional scene, while Cyberpunk 2077 has absolutely nothing... when it actually works... unless you count the generic Ubisoft game feeling or all the false promises that it was built on, that is.

So, is anything with swords and a medieval / fantasy style setting automatically an RPG these days or what?

EDIT: As for the classic "ohhh stop gatekeeping the rpg term" miserable excuses, how about I you tell those who call it the greatest RPG of all time to stop throwing that term around and using it how it suits them?

[felixpoop]

Can't you see that you're in love with the game?

[Epathos]

he cant have them both, i think that's the issue. its ok, its not that great in real life anyways.

[kgullholmen]

Why would you give a crap what people call this game? It is what it is, and if you haven't figured out what this game is like 7 years after its release (and tons of reviews, online discussions and playthrough videos on YT), there really is not much a post on the discussion forums will do for you.

or what exactly is the point of this post?

[The Commendatore]

Yes, it's not an RPG. This has been argued to death since its release.

It just has some lite RPG elements and that's it. The majority of people who argue in favour of The Witcher being an RPG haven't played many games at all anyway.

[∞]

Some people, need to do huge research of meaning "RPG"...

[LnX OrioN]

LMFAO ! you're so cute....

[Thermal Lance]

Witcher 3 is an RPG. Sure, not an insanely complex one but an RPG still. It checks all the required boxes to be classified as one.

But, BEST RPG OF ALL TIME? Yeah, no. Maybe one of best world/story in a singleplayer game... Maybe. But, best RPG period? Just no. I've played a lot of RPGs that are better than the Witcher 3. Especially from a gameplay standpoint.

[Private117]

the game is 7 years old. If you need a Tag saying "RPG" to decide what it is you are doing something wrong. Plenty enough videos, reviews and stuff to figure out what the gameplay is and how deep the rpg elements go.

i couldnt care less if its called rpg or not. The term literally dosnt matter. Look at what it is. is it fun? ♥♥♥♥ ye. is it a great game? hell yeah. dosnt matter what genre it is called.

[s0d0]

Quite correct, when thinking of games like Skyrim, the "RPG" element is somehow limited. You are Geralt, you will always be Geralt, and your hair will most likely stay white.
But comparing it to Call of Duty is a crime.
There is quite some complexity in the storyline, where you have different outcomes of different side or main quests by completing some other quests in one way or another and the game doesn't tell you what to do to get what outcome.
There are some cutscenes you will most likely never see in your life, except you follow some youtube guidelines for whatever reason. That alone makes it very special, you can really tell that the developers really cared about the story and the variety of it all.
Game is not perfect - none is - but it's still really good.

[SSJPanda]

RPG is role playing, you're playing the role of Geralt......?

[Eddie]

ok

[The Commendatore]

Originally posted by SSJPanda:

RPG is role playing, you're playing the role of Geralt......?

By that logic, games like Halo or DOOM are RPGs.

After all, I'm playing the role of Master Chief or Doom Guy/Slayer....

[Olwart]

You're stating something simpletons won't understand and normal people already know. There's really no point in making this thread. P.S. It's actually GTA 5 that is the best RPG of all time, not this.

[LoniWolfy]

RPG means role playing game, it's not that complicated, it means you focusing on vary quests and systems of the game, and who said role playing should be you? it'll be anything but rich of story games.

[every1hasnames]

Lets see what the internet says about the definition of rpg. The definition of Role playing games.


https://www.thefreedictionary.com/role-playing+game

"A video or computer game similar to this, in which a player controls the actions of a single character while undertaking a quest in or otherwise exploring an elaborate virtual world."

this is a skimpy definition but a definition none the less.

Witcher 3 would fit this definition.



https://www.techopedia.com/definition/27052/role-playing-game-rpg

A role-playing game (RPG) is a genre of video game where the gamer controls a fictional character (or characters) that undertakes a quest in an imaginary world.

♥♥♥♥ this is very similar to the first one. a very basic definition. but this one atleast goes on to add 5 basic elements of an rpg.

According to this. defintion on techopedia.

5 basic elements of an rpg



1.The ability to improve your character over the course of the game by increasing his statistics or levels.

2.A menu-based combat system with several choices of skills, spells, and active powers as well as an active inventory system with wearable equipment such as armors and weapons.

3.A central quest that runs throughout the game as a storyline and additional (and usually optional) side quests.

4.The ability to interact with elements of the environment or storyline through additional abilities (e.g. lockpicking, disarming traps, communication skills, etc.)

5.The existence of certain character classes that define the characteristics, skills, abilities, and spells of a character (e.g. wizard, thief, warrior, etc.)

Modern and hybrid RPGs do not necessarily have all of these elements, but usually feature one or two in combination with elements from another genre.


how many of these 5 elements of an rpg is present in The witcher 3.

Well the witcher 3 has Number 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Witcher 3 has all 5 of these basic elements of an rpg that is defined in this definition.

I challenge anyone to find a definition on the internet. Of A Roleplaying video game.
and I will show you how witcher 3 fit 90 percent of what that definition says.
What I always find weird about these topics. the topics people bring up saying this game isnt an RPG.
Its always their own personal opinion. Their own personal definition of what they believe an rpg is. and what they believe an rpg isnt.




But i go and look for definitions of role playing video game.


And witcher 3 objectively fits 90 percent or even 100 percent of every single definition i have found online.


Try me. Post a role playing video game definition you found on the internet. I will show you how witcher 3 matches its definition. By using facts.