Comments on: Ten Most Influential RPGs of Our Time

By: Mavirik

Mavirik — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 05:00:39 +0000

I’d like to strike WoW from the record… For one, it’s an MMO, not a proper RPG. Second, its influence on the industry in the way of MMOs is nothing compared to EQ & UO, not to mention any MUD/text-based MMOs that most people have never heard of. Third, what DID they put in WoW that was in any way innovative, creative, or unique? Flame me if Im right.

Next, I’d like to take the whole 1st prize, 2nd prize crap out completely and leave it just as a list of honourable mentions. FF (the entire series) is a major innovator in the RPG world, and always has been. But who’s to deny Zelda 8-bit pixel-vs-pixel combat of its share of the fame?

*agree* with Diablo (series), Elder Scrolls (series), BG & UO. Also give thief a mention or i’ll thwack you with my blackjack :p

And last, but not least… It wasnt a bad thing FF wasnt available in the west right away, we didnt even have the technology to run the darn thing when it went into development!

By: ralahinn1

ralahinn1 — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:44:18 +0000

I agree. Final Fantasy, ninth? Some of those games I never heard of…and War Crack#1. Unbelievable!

By: Stephany

Stephany — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:31:53 +0000

Frostpaw: Thank you for pointing out my fauzx pas, but please understand the drain that happens to the mind after looking over a gazillion games and articles a day. It is now omitted from the piece, and please note that I appreciate you waking me out of my daze. Also, just because the public did not give Planescape the attention it rightly deserved, does not mean that developers did not.

Drew: We are talking out video games, not the original D&D. Yes, we are all well aware of rpgs following in D&D’s exalted footsteps. If we want to really get technical, the majority of video games owe SOMETHING to D&D. Just like D&D owes it’s soul to Tolkien. If not for him, there would not have been a D&D, so maybe we should change the title to 10 RPGS Most Influenced By Tolkien? Not trying to be a jerk, but I just wanted to point that out.

Everyone Else – Love it or hate it, FF was one of the biggest influences on rpg video games out there – personally I am not a fan of the games, but you do not have to like something in order to understand it’s importance. Some people hate taking a bath, but they understand that if they do not take one at least every other day, they will become social outcasts and live alone in the wilderness with only their own stench as their companion.

By: William

William — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:35:17 +0000

Did anyone ever play the original Wizardry on PC? I’m not saying that belongs here, but this article reminded me of that game for some reason.

By: cougarcrossing

cougarcrossing — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 04:31:49 +0000

The original Zork, Dungeon Master, M&M series profoundly affected the direction of early computer rpg gaming.

By: Nicks

Nicks — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 04:21:05 +0000

Where is Dragon Quest???
The game series that began the concept of RPG’s on a console!

Oh, and Final Fantasy (VII) should be much higher, since basically every RPG since VII has jacked some element from it.

Fable shouldn’t be on the list.

World of Warcraft shouldn’t be on the list – but Ultima Online should.

The problem with this list is that it arbitrarily assigns games their place based on the entire series. You can’t really go with Final Fantasy, for example, because it took about 15 years before Western audiences could even see the third game!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:36:57 +0000

I believe Final Fantasy should be higher on the list. The original Final Fantasy influenced the majority of RPGs that came out during it’s time. Final Fantasy is continuing to influence how we play RPGs. Not only is gameplay important in RPGs, but a deep and developed storyline as well. And anytime a Final Fantasy game comes out, you can rest assure it’s going to be another hit.

By: Ajay_4400

Ajay_4400 — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:16:20 +0000

Final Fantasy should be number 1. Final Fantasy 7 gave RPGs a massive boost. and its still alot better then some RPGs to this day.

By: alex

alex — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:01:09 +0000

for wow, you have to consider what makes it influential. for example world of warcraft has 8 million subscribers. SUBSCRIBERS!!! this doesnt even take into account the people who buy game cards. the number of subscribers is larger than the population of several countries including ireland and switzerland. if that doesnt make it influential then i dont know what does

By: William

William — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:26:36 +0000

Fable shouldn’t be on the list. I consider the original Fable a complete failure..it had tremendous potential but failed to perform outstanding in any possible category.

By: FrostPaw

FrostPaw — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:07:45 +0000

Starcraft is an rts… and you think it belongs in a list of influential rpg games?

To quote you on this article “The writer of this piece should have used a different title, or just not written it in the first place.” I just couldn’t have put it better myself, take your own advice and read up the difference between rpg and rts for future articles.

Personaly I think Planescape Torment was a masterpiece of storytelling coupled in a decent D&D combat system in an intresting world. As much as I love it I wouldn’t call it influential because nobody paid much attention to it sadly.

System Shock should definately be there.

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:51:00 +0000

When I saw their list I couldn’t help but die a little inside. Your suggestions for change made it even worse. There isn’t a single MMO that belongs…nay…deserves to be on this list. They are all the same repetitive hack, slash, and grind your way to [insert level].

Don’t get me started on Final Fantasy. A paltry 9? It shouldn’t be on the list. There is nothing revolutionary there, nothing even remotely “influential” and certainly not what every RPG strives to be. The game that started it all was Dungeons & Dragons. Every RPG and MMO is based off of the original styling of D&D from damage dealing to story telling.

I am sorry if my comments sound harsh but they are how I feel, and that is why a top 10 poll for influential RPGs is a crock anyways. Everyone feels different about every game. There will never be a definitive Top 10 of anything.

The only thing in this world written in stone is that, to men, Jessica Alba is the hottest thing breathing.

By: Mechman

Mechman — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:37:48 +0000

How did Fable make it on the list, but not Deus Ex?
Deus Ex was the first successful merger of shooter and RPG, and still the best.