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Action RPG vs. Turn-Based RPG; Fight!
BluFire | 8:30 PM on 08.07.2007 15 comments


First, I'd like to point out that I'm not trying to say a certain type of RPG sucks. Action RPGs and Turn-Based RPGs are both good in my eyes, I just happen to prefer one of them.

Right now, when I am referring to an Action RPG, I'm talking about an RPG that uses a real-time battle system, as opposed to a turn-based one.

Personally, I prefer the turn-based RPG. Of course, there are RPGs I have played that I love. I don't have a whole lot to say, though. I guess the thing about turn-based systems is that it gives me more time to plan out my actions. And when you think about it, taking out the turn-based system in a game makes the game MUCH different. In a TB-RPG, you're not really controlling where your character moves - it's your team/character facing their foe(s).

I guess my problem with Action RPGs is that I have no skill at this real-time stuff. I guess my virtual coordination is poor. I'm not very good at maneuvering my on-screen character, so unless the combat has a greater focus on attacking than defending, I'm screwed. However, I would say that the main reason I don't prefer an Action RPG is the deemphasizing of statistical improvement. In a game like Zelda, you have Action RPG-type combat, sans the stats. I don't really like stats when it comes to combat like that. Action RPGs relies on both increasing stats and actual combat skill. With a turn-based system, you're mostly relying on your stats to win battles, and relying on battles to increase your stats. Then again, I guess a downside to a TBRPG is that there are often RNG-based events, such as criticals, accuracy, etc.



What a crappy post. I guess I can't really explain why I prefer a turn-based system (it's probably because I suck at games). Feel free to make your own points. Just remember, I'm saying I prefer one over the other. Both are fun, both have great examples in games, both have bad examples in games.



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14 comments | showing # 1 to 14

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MrRed's Destructoid Blog
well there are action rpgs where you dont move like FF7 u could attack as long as your were charged up
kwaselow's Destructoid Blog
Turn based

Earth Bound + Chrono Trigger = 'nuff said
Riser Glen's Destructoid Blog
I prefer turn-based. Sometimes I just want to sit back, relax, light a cigarette and enjoy the game.
RestingSound's Destructoid Blog
I'd say my favorite genre is the tactical RPG. Shining Force 2 in particular. Regular TB RPG's are too slow for me and many action RPG's tend to feel sloppy or lacking dimension.
BluFire's Destructoid Blog
I like the way Riser puts it. A turn-based system doesn't really get you so tense while you're playing.

@RestingSound: In a way, tactical RPGs are a form of a turn-based RPG (unless it's an RTS RPG). I guess moving around your units does create a balance between real-time action systems and still turn-based systems.
kawitchate's Destructoid Blog
i like both. turn-based is great but can get boring and too strategy-heavy, while action-based is also great but you can tend to just play as 1 character throughout the entire game (and your party's AI sometimes sucks).

i really appreciated what FFXII tried to do in marrying the two styles. did they succeed? ...jury is still out. but it was an interesting experience.
Das Inchworm's Destructoid Blog
i just want it to be long, fun and time consuming. If the developer does a good job, then im all for anything with the RPG label on it.
Artadius's Destructoid Blog
I usually prefer turn based... but today I played the Eternal Sonata demo and I really like how they've done it. It's a hybrid Turn/Action based RPG battle system. Yeehaw!
kawitchate's Destructoid Blog
yeah i forgot that Eternal Sonata also tried to mix the two as FFXII did, but in a different way - FFXII being action/TB, Sonata TB/action - and i really liked it too.
Alaphic's Destructoid Blog
I'm really not enjoying the industry-wide tendency of shifting completely toward action based battles. Turn based is what I grew up on, and the fact that there are very few games that utilize it any more, (even the Final Fantasy series is shying away from it) makes me a sad panda.
Riser Glen's Destructoid Blog
I disagree with what some of you are saying about FFXII. I really feel that it's a turn-based battle system. All they did was remove the "battle transfer" animation. You can't really dodge moves and if anything, it's a turn-based battle system that has been more automated.
king3vbo's Destructoid Blog
Turn Based bitches

Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, Super Mario RPG, Earthbound

I win
Arugala9's Destructoid Blog
I'd say I like turn based more, but I like what some action rpgs try to do. I agree with Riser though, sometimes you just want to relax with the turn based.
PacoDG's Destructoid Blog
Eternal Sonata, best of both worlds.


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