How To Get Started With RPG Video Games: Beginner's Guide
Role-playing games, or RPGs, are a genre of video games that provide players with a unique experience. It is the ability to control a character and make decisions that shape the narrative. They are widely known for their complex stories, expansive worlds, and engaging gameplay. For those new to the genre, it can be overwhelming. This guide will help you understand what RPGs are, how to choose your first game, and how to get started.
What are RPG Video Games?
RPG video games are a genre that puts you in the role of a character in a fictional world. You’ll create a character with unique skills and abilities, and embark on quests and adventures. RPGs allow you to shape the story and your character’s development, making them deeply immersive and customizable.
RPGs can take many forms, from action-packed battles to strategic turn-based combat. Some RPGs are story-driven, focusing on narrative and character development, while others are more open-ended, allowing players to explore vast worlds and complete quests at their own pace.
Choosing Your First RPG
With so many RPGs available, choosing your first can be daunting. Here are some tips to help you pick the right game for you:
- Consider your interests: Do you enjoy action-packed combat or strategic turn-based battles? Are you drawn to compelling stories or open-ended exploration?
- Read reviews and watch gameplay footage: Look at what other players have to say and get a visual idea of what the game looks and feels like.
- Try a free demo: Many games offer free demos, allowing you to experience a small portion of the game before buying.
- Start with a simpler RPG: Don’t be afraid to start with a game that has a more straightforward gameplay system. Many RPGs are complex, so beginning with a simpler one can ease you into the genre.
Understanding RPG Mechanics
Once you’ve chosen your first RPG, it’s time to get familiar with the mechanics. Here are some core aspects of RPGs to keep in mind:
Character Creation:
- Class: Each RPG has different classes that determine your character’s strengths and weaknesses. Consider your playstyle and choose a class that best aligns with how you want to play.
- Stats: Each character has stats that influence their abilities, such as strength, agility, intelligence, and charisma.
- Skills: As you progress, you’ll learn new skills to enhance your character’s abilities and effectiveness in combat.
Gameplay and Progression:
- Quests: RPGs feature a wide variety of quests, from simple tasks to complex storylines.
- Combat: The way you approach combat will vary between RPGs.
- Experience and Levels: You gain experience points (XP) by completing quests, defeating enemies, and exploring. This XP levels your character up, giving them access to new abilities and skills.
- Gear: Finding and equipping better gear will improve your character’s stats and abilities.
Exploring the World:
- Environment: RPGs often feature expansive worlds filled with secrets, hidden treasures, and memorable characters.
- Exploration: You’ll spend a significant amount of time exploring, interacting with non-player characters (NPCs), solving puzzles, and discovering new areas.
Character Creation: Building Your Hero
Character creation is an integral part of RPGs. It allows you to customize your hero’s appearance, abilities, and backstory. This process is crucial for establishing your character’s role in the game’s world.
- Choosing a Class: The first step is selecting a class. Classes define your character’s strengths, weaknesses, and abilities, shaping your overall playstyle. For example, warriors are typically strong in melee combat, while mages excel in magic.
- Attributes and Skills: You’ll allocate points to various attributes, like strength, agility, intelligence, and charisma. These attributes impact your character’s effectiveness in combat, magic use, and social interactions. Skill points can be used to learn special abilities that complement your chosen class.
- Backstory: Many RPGs offer a chance to create a backstory for your character, providing context to their motivations and personality. While not always essential, a well-developed backstory can add depth to your character’s journey.
Exploring the World: Quests, Combat, and Story
RPGs immerse players in expansive worlds filled with quests, combat, and captivating stories.
- Quests: Completing quests is a core aspect of RPG gameplay. Quests can range from simple fetch missions to intricate storylines that involve multiple steps and decision-making.
- Combat: Combat systems vary significantly between RPGs. Some games feature real-time action combat, while others utilize turn-based systems where you strategize each move. Regardless of the combat style, understanding your character’s abilities, strengths, and weaknesses is crucial for success.
- Story: RPGs are renowned for their captivating stories. You’ll encounter memorable characters, experience exciting twists, and face difficult moral dilemmas.
Leveling Up and Character Progression
As you progress through the game, you’ll gain experience and level up your character. Leveling up grants your character access to new skills, abilities, and stat boosts.
- Experience Points: XP are earned by completing quests, defeating enemies, and exploring the world. Each level you gain gives you skill points that can be used to learn new abilities or enhance existing ones.
- Stats: Leveling up also increases your character’s base stats, such as strength, agility, and intelligence. This makes your character more powerful and capable.
- Character Customization: RPGs allow you to customize your character by equipping new armor, weapons, and accessories.
Tips for New RPG Players
- Start with a simpler RPG: Avoid choosing a game with complex mechanics or a steep learning curve, especially for your first RPG experience.
- Experiment with different classes: Try different classes to find one that aligns with your playstyle.
- Read the game’s instructions: Don’t ignore the in-game tutorials. They provide valuable information about mechanics, skills, and gameplay.
- Be patient: RPGs are often lengthy games that require patience and dedication. Don’t rush through the experience; enjoy the journey.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: There are many online communities and forums dedicated to RPGs.
Recommended RPG Games for Beginners
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: A massive open-world RPG with a compelling story and a vast world to explore.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: A beautifully crafted RPG with a deep story, memorable characters, and engaging combat.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake: A modern remake of the classic RPG, featuring a stunning visual presentation and a captivating story.
- Dragon Age: Inquisition: An action RPG that offers a rich story, a complex world to explore, and a wide variety of characters to meet.
- Disco Elysium: A unique and innovative RPG that combines narrative, dialogue, and detective work.
Enjoying the RPG Experience
RPGs are a rewarding and immersive genre. Immerse yourself in the stories, explore vast worlds, and bond with your companions.
- Embrace the story: Pay attention to the dialogues, characters, and events unfolding around you. It will make the game more engaging and rewarding.
- Experiment with different playstyles: Don’t be afraid to try new strategies and approaches to combat.
- Take breaks: RPGs are often lengthy experiences. Don’t feel pressured to play for hours on end. Take breaks and come back when you’re ready.
Conclusion
Starting with RPG video games can be a rewarding experience, offering immersive worlds, engaging stories, and rewarding gameplay. This guide has provided you with a starting point, from understanding what RPGs are to choosing your first game and mastering basic mechanics. Remember to be patient, experiment, and most importantly, have fun!.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between an RPG and an action-adventure game?
A: The key difference is in player agency and character development. RPGs focus on building and developing a character with unique stats and abilities, allowing players to make choices that impact the story and the world around them. Action-adventure games usually feature a predefined protagonist with set abilities.
Q: How do I find the right RPG for me?
A: Consider your interests: do you prefer action-packed combat, strategic turn-based gameplay, or rich narratives? Read reviews and watch gameplay footage to get a feel for the game’s style and mechanics. Some games offer free demos to try before you buy.
Q: What is the best RPG to start with?
A: The best RPG for you depends on your preferences. Try games like Skyrim, The Witcher 3, Final Fantasy VII Remake, or Dragon Age: Inquisition, which offer a good balance of story, exploration, and gameplay.
Q: How do I level up my character quickly in an RPG?
A: Focus on completing quests, defeating enemies, and exploring the world to gain XP. Look for opportunities for extra XP, such as hidden areas, optional side quests, and challenges.
Q: How do I choose the right class for my character?
A: Consider your preferred playstyle. If you enjoy melee combat, warrior or paladin classes might be a good fit. For magic-based play, mages or wizards are good options. Some RPGs allow you to customize your character’s abilities and skills, giving you flexibility in choosing your playstyle.