RPGs Took Over Every Video Game Genre

The role-playing game, a tradition as old as the controller and older
still, has endured decades of changing game design with no sign of
ceasing its steady march.

With a sense of adventure beating in its chest and a fierce devotion
to character stirring its legs, the RPG has made itself known in all
corners of the world. And over time, other genres have adopted the RPG's
ways, especially as game archetypes bleed together and fuse into new
and intoxicating combinations.
It's safe to say that the RPG has taken over every video game genre
out there, but this domination shouldn't surprise us. The RPG is founded
on a handful of core principles, including the telling of a story and
the growth of a character or group of characters. These principles
pervade human desire -- not just video games. Tracking a visual
representation of progress satisfies our most fundamental needs, and the
joys of following a story go back as far as storytelling itself.

If you insist that RPGs just aren't for you, that's all well and
good. But take note of all the various ways RPGs have left a mark on the
world of gaming. Nothing is untouched.



Action



Dishonored


Defining Characteristics: action (duh), explosions, guns, swords

Notable RPG Hybrids: Dishonored, Castle Crashers, Devil May Cry series

Why It Works: Action for the sake of action has its
own charms, but runs the very real risk of wearing out fast. Fusing an
experience system into character development and weapon unlocks provides
the action with a sense of purpose. This system creates a great loop,
where the satisfaction of the action also fulfills a secondary purpose
of growth and advancement.

Action games also use items and equipment often, from weapons to
runes and everything in between. These make a natural fit with the RPG
way of life, granting players with an enhanced degree of control over
their characters.


Fighting


Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy


Defining Characteristics: one-on-one competition, character rosters, special moves

Notable RPG Hybrids: Street Fighter Alpha 3, Dissidia series

Why It Works: RPGs celebrate the ideals of a hero
more than any other genre. Part of the charm of fighting games is the
diversity and complexity found in a roster of fighters -- each character
a wealth of opportunity and possibility. Fusing this specialized cast
of heroes with the character building of an RPG makes for a winning
combination.

We needn't look further than Dissidia Final Fantasy and its sequel
Duodecim to find the potential for this combination. Dissidia showered
players with a stunning collection of more than 20 characters to train,
equip, and level up, while maintaining the thrill of the fight.


Platformers


Dust: An Elysian Tale


Defining Characteristics: running, jumping, merriment

Notable RPG Hybrids: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Dust: An Elysian Tale

Why It Works: Similar to action games, RPG elements
fuel the running and jumping of platformers with a purpose other than
survival. They also open up platformers to the possibility of combat
systems, which add an additional layer of play to platform traversal.
And of course, with RPG favorites like chests and secrets dotting the
map, players are more likely to explore the world around them.

This fusion made video game history in Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night, which enhanced an already successful formula with experience
points, attributes, spells, familiars, and a host of other features
common in the grand RPG style.


Puzzle


Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords


Defining Characteristics: falling blocks, bright colors, head scratching

Notable RPG Hybrids: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Enough said.

Why It Works: Why not? Puzzle Quest turned heads in
2007 with its unusual -- even rare -- blend of game types. Once again,
the drive to earn experience and level up creates additional motivations
for players other than earning a high score, clearing blocks, matching
colors, aligning tiles, and whatever else needs to be done.

Furthermore, gamers weary of everyday game types are more likely to
enjoy something new -- even odd. When Puzzle Quest came along, it was
just odd enough to win hearts all over the world.


Racing


Blur


Defining Characteristics: cars, races, c'mon guys

Notable RPG Hybrids: Blur, Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Why It Works: Cars are an abstract type of
character, but many gamers attach to them as they would a human (or
semi-human) hero. Adding a progression or development system to a car
seems obvious, providing players with better, faster rides and a reason
to cherish a car more than just "object that gets me from Point A to
Point B."

Need for Speed: Most Wanted featured an abstract form of leveling by
encouraging players to complete objectives for upgrades. Bizarre
Creations' 2010 racer Blur tasked players to hunt for "fan points" -- which might as well have been experience points.


Strategy


StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty


Defining Characteristics: units, grids, advanced thought processes

Notable RPG Hybrids: XCOM: Enemy Unknown, StarCraft II, Final Fantasy Tactics

Why It Works: Strategy games come in many different
shapes and sizes, but they fit extremely well with RPG design elements.
So much so that the two genres together form the strategy RPG sub-genre.
Why such a perfect union? The two share many common themes, including a
penchant for meticulous, thoughtful play and a turn-based structure.

Obvious examples, like XCOM and its famed predecessor, merge
upgradeable characters and skills with the decision making and tactical
play that makes strategy games so compelling. And classics like Final
Fantasy Tactics show, with remarkable acuity, that customizable units
make everything better!

Even real-time strategy games like StarCraft II feature light shades
of RPG systems, noticeable in the player-driven unlocks of the
single-player campaign.


Sports


SSX


Defining Characteristics: sports

Notable RPG Hybrids: SSX, Madden NFL 13

Why It Works: Look at all those players moving
around the field/rink/ring/course, they're like a bunch of little
wizards, with special abilities and affinities! It's like magic! (Editor's Note: this guy doesn't play sports games, folks!)

Tomfoolery aside, sports games have implemented RPG systems to great effect, including Madden NFL 13,
which allowed gamers to assign points after practice to increase player
statistics. In SSX, the snowboarders leveled up to access better gear.
Proving that even the least nerdy genre in gaming can proudly flex its
nerdy bits.


Shooter


Borderlands 2


Defining Characteristics: crosshairs, guns, supply crates

Notable RPG Hybrids: Call of Duty series, Halo 4, Borderlands 2

Why It Works: One of the most popular RPG fusions in
game design today, shooters have taken on leveling elements more
readily than most other genres -- especially when it comes to online
multiplayer modes. Gamers love competition, and having a level listed
next to their handle to back up their skill makes that competition all
the more vicious.

The Call of Duty series has thrown itself in this direction, with
extremely complex systems supporting its multiplayer suites. Halo 4
recently followed, integrating an advanced leveling system so every
Spartan earns experience, equipment, abilities, and more with every
match.

Then, of course, we have the Borderlands series, which is just as
much RPG as it is shooter. With randomly-generated weapon drops and
skill trees accompanying its outrageous sense of humor, Borderlands 2 is designed for both shooter and RPG crowds. With a game like that, everybody wins. And they did, because Borderlands 2 is awesome.