What is an RPG Anyway?

Ok in order to first say we are playing RPGs on this blog, we need to explain *MY* definition of what an RPG actually is! Why? Well, the modern gamer likes to define every game as an RPG, it seems. As an example, if you filter your Steam library by RPG, you will find NBA 2K16 listed as one, I kid you not. Everyone has their own definitions, some people say it needs a story, some say it needs levels, some say it need skills, etc. And because of that to move forward with the blog, I need to define it, but I try to keep it simple these days:

1. You play the role of a character, you are not the character.

This means that actions in the game are mostly based off the character's abilities, not yours. So when you swing your sword in a fight, whether you hit, how fast you hit, how much damage you do, are all done based off your character's attributes not your personal reflexes.

2. There must be some amount of story to the game *MORE* than the mainline Mario game of the day.

3. The character must develop in the game in some way (outside of story), and the player must be able to make substantive choices in that development.

I reserve the right to change my definition at any time as I'm not entirely sure if the above will always work all the time.

In addition, I will be applying the following restrictions as to what I won't play as part of this:

I. MMORPGs
II. Games that I do not own legally (I have way too big of a backlog to go steal games).
III. Games that are not in English or without a decent English patch.
IV. Really Bad games - This is up to my discretion but is mostly meant to weed out the shovelware from modern "indie" developers.
V. Mobile Games
VI. Free to Play games - This is kind of the previous two, but just in case.
VII. Remakes & Remasters until the originals have been completed.
VIII. Any game within the last 5 years. This is partially for spoilers, but also partially cause I like old games.
IX. Sequels until earlier games have been played - We are playing in order!