What is the essence of a good RPG?

I've never been into RPG's and I don't really understand them. I am into FPS's and dig Sci-Fi environments more than Medieval stuff. Recently I picked up Mass Effect to check it out and so far I'm intrigued but I don't really understand what to do with so many weapon and combat options. It's overwhelming and I'm finding that many things are not explained enough for me as a "newbie" to RPGs.

So what in essence makes a great RPG and can anyone recommend an RPG that would be a good starter for someone new to RPG's? One that's not overly complicated but that will make me understand RPG's and turn me on to them. I have an Xbox360, old Xbox, Wii, and an older PC (Win XP).

I also am intrigued by what I've seen about Fallout 3 because I love the Half-Life series and Fallout 3 looks like a similarly cool sci-fi setting and has FPS elements. But I'm unsure if I will understand all the various options or dig the open quality.

What makes a great RPG? What is the essence of a good RPG?

Thanks!

At it's most basic level RPG just means to role-play. So ... before anything else, I think an RPG needs to have an amazing story so that you can be completely immersed in it. Mass Effect does this for me - it has an amazing story that I just need to unfold (I am actually still playing it currently).

RPGs also tend to have a lot of customization, so your observation about all the weapons and such in Mass Effect is a good thing. It CAN be overwhelming, I agree. When I first started playing ME, it took me a while to get used to the party system, the equipment and the weapons. The game does make it easy for you to understand what is what though. Just pick a weapon type; i.e., pistol, assult, sniper, ect. and stick with it. Compare guns and always upgrade. The more you play, the more you will get it and take time to keep up with what you find.

Also, a good RPG needs to have good quests. There should alway be a main quest that drives the story forward, and there should also be side quests/storylines that expand the world and distract you (in a good way) from your main task.

Combat is varied and ranges from turn-based to real-time free-roam point and shoot that does all the hit calculations behind the scenes. I loved KOTOR because it gave you the best of both worlds. ME allows you to pause so you can use skills and powers. This is a good thing.

Lastly, (I think) the characters that you interact with need to be believable and likeable. This includes your party AND all the NPCs you deal with.

If RPGs ultimately just aren't your thing, it's not a big deal. Action Adventure/FPS games are getting deeper and more customizable and thus are getting more and more "pseudo-RPGish" all the time. Have fun with the games that you like.

Thanks for all the great advice. I have started to play Mass Effect and so far I'm enjoying it, but I'm unsure of all the weapons options, etc, but I will stick with it and hopefully it will slowly become more understandable. The environment, music and story setup is all well done.

Thanks for all the great advice. I have started to play Mass Effect and so far I'm enjoying it, but I'm unsure of all the weapons options, etc, but I will stick with it and hopefully it will slowly become more understandable. The environment, music and story setup is all well done.

toad1971

A fair amount of cutscene's and at least 30 hour's of game play. I love rpg's because you get you money's worth unlike a lot of FPS you can beat in one afternoon.

Thanks for all the great advice. I have started to play Mass Effect and so far I'm enjoying it, but I'm unsure of all the weapons options, etc, but I will stick with it and hopefully it will slowly become more understandable. The environment, music and story setup is all well done.

toad1971

[QUOTE="toad1971"]

Thanks for all the great advice. I have started to play Mass Effect and so far I'm enjoying it, but I'm unsure of all the weapons options, etc, but I will stick with it and hopefully it will slowly become more understandable. The environment, music and story setup is all well done.

chaoscougar1

I agree. That's what I've been doing.

Also, I highly suggest getting Fallout 3. I think that you would really like it. Out of everyone that I have suggested Fallout 3 to, all of them have been extremely impressed with the game and really glad that they decided to get it. The game will last you a really long time, and is, in my opinion, right behind Oblivion as the best game ever.

Boobs.

To me, story first and foremost is the one thing an good RPG has to have. This is also why I would not recommend Fallout 3. I would recommend a lot of JRPGs though like Final Fantasy though.