It's something I've been wondering about for a while, obviously it's not a total RPG like Final Fantasy or Elder Scrolls etc. but it has RPG elements to it and if it's not an RPG, then what is it? An adventure game?
I mean, think about it, the basic things you need to make an RPG are there in Pokemon. The Pokemon themselves are stand-ins for the likes of weapons, spells and special abilities and instead of upgrading your weapons/spells/abilities you are upgrading their weapons/spells/abilities.
Instead of using your W/S/A to go into a dungeon to complete a quest you're going to gyms to get a badge, which is pretty much "the main quest".
Also, the "type" of Pokemon trainer you want to be is completely up to you. Most people will choose the most logical "type" and be a general all-rounder that trains all elemental groups, but what's to stop you from focusing only on electric or plant-based Pokemon?
The world in Pokemon is also rich with NPCs and minor side-quests for you to do along the way, much like a lot of RPGs, there are also other activities to do, like fishing, if you just feel like relaxing for a little bit which is also something RPGs provide (like the card games in Final Fantasy for example).
You are also able to find/purchase special items in various places, like caves, to upgrade your Pokemon, much the same as in other RPGs where you will find/purchase the likes of potions or enchanted rings to boost your stats.
Now, I'm not saying I'm right, that's why I put this up for discussion; so it can be discussed. I just hope you can see my logic here and see if you agree it could loosely be considered an RPG in its own right, or if you think it just has RPG elements, or it's nothing like an RPG at all. All opinions are welcome.
I mean, think about it, the basic things you need to make an RPG are there in Pokemon. The Pokemon themselves are stand-ins for the likes of weapons, spells and special abilities and instead of upgrading your weapons/spells/abilities you are upgrading their weapons/spells/abilities.
Instead of using your W/S/A to go into a dungeon to complete a quest you're going to gyms to get a badge, which is pretty much "the main quest".
Also, the "type" of Pokemon trainer you want to be is completely up to you. Most people will choose the most logical "type" and be a general all-rounder that trains all elemental groups, but what's to stop you from focusing only on electric or plant-based Pokemon?
The world in Pokemon is also rich with NPCs and minor side-quests for you to do along the way, much like a lot of RPGs, there are also other activities to do, like fishing, if you just feel like relaxing for a little bit which is also something RPGs provide (like the card games in Final Fantasy for example).
You are also able to find/purchase special items in various places, like caves, to upgrade your Pokemon, much the same as in other RPGs where you will find/purchase the likes of potions or enchanted rings to boost your stats.
Now, I'm not saying I'm right, that's why I put this up for discussion; so it can be discussed. I just hope you can see my logic here and see if you agree it could loosely be considered an RPG in its own right, or if you think it just has RPG elements, or it's nothing like an RPG at all. All opinions are welcome.
