Is Zelda an RPG?

[JSharkDude]

There's a debate on Zelda RPG or not started from the internet, then came by HappyConsoleGamer on YouTube 3 months ago about. If ya'll heard or don't know it, I thought I could see what would ya'll think. ^^;


To me in my opinion, I would have to go yes. And why? Because you play as a role of Link. And you go onto a in-depth epic adventure story to save Zelda and prevent Ganondorf (later Ganon) from his plans to destroy Hyrule. Plus you get these items, go to town, buy items, and talk to non-playable characters. Of course it may lacked status update and experience points (except for Zelda II), but correct if I'm wrong; because my friend at school who's a fan of RPGs told me that not some RPGs need to have experience points to be a true RPG. Idk if he's right or wrong. I like to find out more myself.

Anyways, what would ya'll think? Yes or no? Take ya'lls pick.

[Dragoon]

I'd say it's not a traditional RPG save for Z2, which was pretty similar with platforming elements among other things... generally an adventure game.

[Pokekid]

I reckon they're Adventure games with a few RPG elements.

The storyline in most/some of the games play out like a JRPG would. The games usually take about 15+ hours to complete, which is roughly the same length of short JRPG games like Final Fantasy IV and Ys Seven.

Temples are a good example since you have to explore those in some JRPG games for plot advancement and/or new items. Optional dungeons like the Cave of Ordeals is another good example since once you complete it, you unlock an item that usually cannot be found anywhere else and a good comparison for that would be the ultimate weapons for each character in games like the Final Fantasy series.

A few more examples that I can think of are Heart Pieces & Containers are similar to Silver Apples & Gold Apples from a few Final Fantasy games since they increase your maximum hit points. In a way, long side-quests like the Kafei & Anju can be compared to fetch quests in a few JPRG games since the reward is usually a new item, stronger variant of a certain item.

[KillerLizard]

Zelda is an action adventure game, with some RPG elements.

[Smouvy]

What KillerLizard said.

[qwertyo76]

Every game is an RPG.

But no, Zelda's not totally an RPG.

[KillerLizard]

Originally Posted by qwertyo76

Every game is an RPG.

lolwut?

[qwertyo76]

Figure it out. -_-

[KillerLizard]

How the heck is every game an RPG? You're saying that Street Fighter, Super Mario Bros. and Frogger is an RPG? That's absolute buffoonery, sir.

[Smouvy]

Qwerty is right; I have yet to come across a game where I can play as myself.

[KillerLizard]

Oh right. My bad.

[qwertyo76]

I'm...kinda sorry I didn't just tell you that in the first place. :/ I mean to say that when you're in any game you'll already role playing in the first place. But anyway, we move on with our lives. So Zelda... More like The Legnd of Link eh?

[Smouvy]

Weren't there like these camera games where you could play with your own head or something?

[qwertyo76]

Oh well if we want to get into specifics...

[Angry Ancestor]

I don't personally think of RPGs as a game where you simply play the role of some character. That's stoop. An RPG is defined as a game with the sole purpose of leveling up in my opinion.