Role Playing Games: The Next Generation

I think there are a few clear reasons that RPGs can be showcase games this generation. While First Person Shooters appear to have taken over gaming as the flagship genre for videogames in general, RPGs offer epic plots, storylines and settings that are rarely found in other genres. Another of my articles, The Power of the RPG, talks about just what makes them so appealing and different to other genres.

While this generation isn't all about graphics -- with Xbox Live focusing on online play, The Live Arcade and Wii Virtual console offering simpler, more old fashioned titles and of course the new motion sensing technology in the PS3 and Wii changing the way we play completely, better graphics.

In that area, RPGs can excel. One glance at the huge, beautiful world of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion or the fantastic art direction that has become a essential to the Final Fantasy series is bound to convince anybody that beautiful graphics will help enhance the RPG experience. Meanwhile Twilight Princess, The Legend of Zelda's first next-gen title promises the largest and most realistic overworld to ever appear in the series.

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Oblivion's immersive, beautiful graphics helped make the game seem more real



The next generation offers a fantastic opportunity to the developers of RPGs -- allowing them to create even more realistic, engrossing worlds than before. It's unfortunate that landmark RPGs such as Ocarina of Time and Final Fantasy VII are now beginning to look their age, making the graphical look of the title the only thing that doesn't still blow you away after a few years. However, I don't quite think that I'll feel quite the same way about the beautiful Oblivion in ten years, and, likewise, Twilight Princess.

While the worlds of all games of all genres benefit from having more technical capability to make the game look it's best, the cinematic quality of RPGs just seems to make them benefit from it so much more. Despite being very nostalgic for the days of the SNES and Genesis, lovingly animated real-time 3D cutscenes with voice acting and movie-like direction are a million times more exciting than reams of text as your dinky 2D sprites sit there and do absolutely nothing.

Final Fantasy XIII looks absolutely stunning (that is if the trailer does indeed depict real-time game footage), and I can't quite describe just how stunned I was in the opening cutscene at the shot of the Imperial City, and likewise my amazement at how beautiful the scenery was as I stumbled out of the City Sewers and into daylight for the first time. Role Playing Games always focus on the role of the character and the story they are travelling through, something which, as I've mentioned before, is highly enhanced by the graphical upgrades the next generation of consoles brings.

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Providing the trailer was real time, FF13 looks to blow us all away.



Perhaps this is down to the fact the general RPG formula hasn't changed much since it's very beginning -- the many types of RPG, Action RPGs, Turn Based, and Tactical have all remained very much similar, with no huge gameplay refinements changing the way the games are played. Perhaps the developers have realised that because the RPG formula is so strict and, in comparison to other genres relatively difficult to change the only thing that will set their title apart from others is the stage on which the game is played -- the world, characters and story surrounding the player.

The increasing popularity of RPGs with "sandbox" qualities like Oblivion and Knights of the Old Republic, where all your actions have a consequence and allow you to do more than simply follow a linear storyline to it's finish is a testament to the increasing emphasis on the world in RPGs, which, coming back round to the original point, is why the next gen is such good news for RPG fans. More powerful machines mean more vivid worlds, and that more often than not is going to mean a better quality game.

Regardless of just why, it's evident looking at the next-generation of games that RPGs are going to play an important role in the next generation, especially as titles like Final Fantasy, Zelda and Fable turned out to be real console-sellers in the previous generation.

We've picked ten top RPGs to look forward to or buy right now for the Xbox 360, Wii, and Playstation 3.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion -- Xbox 360, PC
Heavily featured as an example in this article, Oblivion is one of the first RPGs to hit the next generation consoles, as well as being available for the PC. The latest edition of the Elder Scrolls series, the game features an impressively immersive world, allowing the player to go about the world running errands straight out of classic RPG lore, all the while able to do things exactly how they want, be it amicably or via mindless slaughter of hundreds, only to be caught and imprisoned by the unforgiving city guard at a later date. The game looks stunning and plays similarl y to previous Elder Scrolls titles, and is more than an acceptable step forward from the "miss-miss-hit" engine of the third title. Already out for 360 and PC, this title will be remembered for it's stunning visuals and gigantic world.

Makai Wars -- PS3
From legendary RPG game studio Nippon Ichi, little is currently known about this ex-PSP title. All the information we could currently muster from Press Releases, Nippon Ichi themselves and indeed that wonderful source known as the internet is that the title will be a Strategy RPG in the stead of cult PS2 hits Disgaea and Makai Kingdom. There are no screens, and currently we don't know if the title will keep the sprite-animated style or take advantage of the next-gen graphics, but, being fans of Nippon Ichi's titles, when we find out you'll be the first to know!


The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess -- Wii
The latest title in the popular Zelda series, Twilight Princess has now been in development for what some would say is far too long. Starting out on the Gamecube announced as "Wind Waker 2", the title has evolved to the game we know today. The entire selection of classic Zelda action is expected -- the return of the Z-Targeting system, a massive overworld to ride Epona across, and a huge array of classic Zelda weapons all await you in this joint Wii/Gamecube title. Pick a version! We're willing to bet money either rocks.

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Despite having Gamecube visuals, Twilight Princess still looks beautiful.



Final Fantasy XIII -- PS3
The thirteenth in the massive hit series, little is known about FFXIII at the moment. Thus far, an E3 trailer showed a gun-toting girl gunning down soldiers in a battle scene with new and different exciting camera angles. Originally, this girl was assumed to be the lead character, but later when questioned Square-Enix told Japanese mag Famitsu that they "would like to feature a strong, independent woman, but not necessarily as the lead character." Either way, despite the undoubtedly feminine-looking male lead yet to appear, Final Fantasy XIII is sure to be a bestseller and will certainly shift some PS3 consoles. On top of that, it'll more than likely be more turn-based fun, too.

Fable 2 -- Xbox 360
The original Fable did what Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic did with it's Dark/Light Jedi system, except in my opinion it did it slightly better. Your in-game actions allowed you to choose a path of good or evil, your choices effecting in-game events and the appearance of your character. The original had dark moments because of it -- the ability to marry and then beat or kill your wife for evil points at one point highlighted by some gaming publications. While the original Xbox/PC title wasn't a massive hit, the sequel is set to fix many of the nagging problems with the original and offer a much more complete game than the original. Score another Western RPG for the 360.

Bioshock -- Xbox 360, PC
Developers Irrational Games, the developers behind System Shock II, Bioshock is a first person RPG set in a period that is currently proving quite popular with developers, an alternate-universe World War II. Nazis are creating genetically engineered humans, or, as I like to call them, kinda-zombie things, and they're out to get you. Combining elements of Sci-Fi, Horror, First Person and of course RPG genres, Bioshock looks absolutely wonderful, and is surely going to be immensely popular in the west.

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Stunning visuals will help make the world of Bioshock come to life, and make it all the scarier.



The Lord of the Rings: The White Council -- Xbox 360, PS3, PC
This game has something different compared to the rest on this list -- it's the only title to appear on more than one of the next-gen consoles, and it's the only title that is licensed from a movie series. EA, clinging to the Lord of the Rings license for all it's worth is set to advance the series further than The Third Age did with this new title. The White Council gives players the ability to go about the world of Middle-Earth as a Human, Elf, Dwarf, or Hobbit, becoming a hero and eventually doing the bidding of the White Council. The game is to feature all the charm and wonder of the Lord of the Rings franchise while delivering a next generation game experience, and is set to hit stores late 2007.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers -- Wii
"Look up, the mothership's about to land" were Reggie's words as he showed the first footage of this title on stage at Nintendo's E3 2006 Press conference. Expect airships galore in the Wii sequel to this often overlooked offshoot of the Final Fantasy series. It seems the cutesy, large headed design that is reminiscent of the SNES sprites is back in this version, and will undoubtedly feature innovative use of the Wiimote. One to watch.

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Crystal Bearers on Wii, looking sharp.



Fire Emblem -- Wii
Announced in mid-May, the continuation of the Fire Emblem series came as no big surprise to press, gamers or fans of the series. Despite that, the arrival of the series on Wii has been met with some enthusiasm. The announcement was followed by a brief clip, only seconds long, showing an action sequence that shows off the beautiful visuals of the game, which we certainly hope are all real-time. The characters shown in the brief trailer are all new, and the title is as yet unknown, but we'll bring news to you on the game's full title and stars as it breaks.

Blue Dragon -- Xbox 360
From the original creator of the king of RPGs, the Final Fantasy series, Blue Dragon is intended to be Microsoft's ace card for forcing their console into better circulation in Japan. While once again much of this game is under wraps, it has a classic anime style rather reminiscent of the old Squaresoft great Chrono Trigger, and will more than likely play like Final Fantasy but of course on Microsoft's console. With a possible launch this year, this could be a Christmas hit for Microsoft, but failing that it will hit in 2007.

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Will Blue Dragon be a thorn in Sony's side?



So, that's about it. Ten top RPGs this Generation and it's barely even started -- and there's a few we haven't mentioned, too. For sure, us RPG fans are in for a huge treat come November when all three consoles are out and the next gen really begins. Which ones will you be playing?