One of the biggest problems with RPG''s (as posted in another topic) is that the large majority of them are fantasy RPG''s. I disagree with that concept, and argue that the problem is that the vast majority of RPG''s focus on the same old Tolkienesque world, (not that thats a bad thing) However there is a world of other fantasy type worlds that have yet to really be touched on in the game. A few games are slowly making progess in moving out, but they do it slowly, making only baby steps in order to set themselves apart from the competition but still leaving a world thats familiar enough to players to make it recognizable. What I would like to see is some games that have more than the carbon copy of the standard races, and a completely unique world. Basically imagine 3 types of worlds, The world we live in is one in which magic is non-existant. The world that most RPG''s exist in are worlds where magic is common, but relegated to a few. Now imagine a world where magic was a true science and not an "art". A world where magic and its uses have had as much of a profound impact on that world as electricity and its uses have had on our own...what would that world be like and what would players see. This is the fantasy world I would like to see. Another idea would be a world where technology and magic were discovered and matured together, what sort of magical technology would there be? Just some thoughts on how to spice up the fantasy setting some more.

It''s been done. Several times.

Really, I haven''t seen one...mostly its just a rip off of Tolkiens world. With the exception of the older RPG''s on the console system, I haven''t seen anything that even tries to explore such a world. The Final Fantasy series is the best one to move away from classic fantasy.

How about the Western Fantasy? Or heck, just do away with fantasy altogether, and go with the Western.

I like the idea. I would also not mind a Victorian RPG, maybe even a Renassiance RPG, a good Pirate RPG could be nice.

well robert4818

if you don''t see this it''s because you are stuck in our current occidental setting

you can see many things you want in jap game and anime universe
don''t mind of what type of anime you find here and there
i have friend who feed me carefully chosen one

fantasy is not a cultural setting for japaneese author, then they more freedom to turn it to many way, and have their own interpretation of this setting

escaflown for ex is based in a common fantasy setting but related has a hidden world from our dimension (normal setting) each episode follow a tarot card as a thema (the whole thema is fate) but the incredible things is the adaptation of some steampunk and si fi setting in the fantasy, it''s not just added but rethink in a fantasy setting, then there is little mecha armor with lever powered by steam and magic, it''s amazing because it''s look like credible

well u have also venus war which happen in a si fi space opera setting but with strong element of fantasy included god and magic but the whole is only a back ground wich affect normal life of the character (which are involved in heroic action)!! it leave the heroic which happen for focusing on social and personnal developpement!!

CRPG have stong influance in japan , then you can have in their product many reference to the gameplay, many manga like hunter X hunter (there is manga called fly too but in french traduction) have indeed few page of explication about world (game) mechanism, it give even genre, stat or calculation!! it provide to the spectator an expert view of what happen in the world and there is also character which is not involve with the action but are here to comment the action by giving hints of what''s happen according to the rule (HunterXhunter have a lot of page which litterally look like a game booklet or a walkthrough)

well in america we have a good example of setting which are free of constrain about fantasy, it''s STAR WARS which is a very well done mix of tolkien, asiatique, si fi, western and many other setting, well magic is still an art compare to manga

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
be good
be evil
but do it WELL
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I know what your saying...I think I''m getting a little jaded in my views as Im beginning to play more and more MMORPG''s which unfortunately are mainly being made here in america. For some reason IM not seeing alot of variety here. Im not overy excited about FFXI, but I would like to see a japanese ANIME style MMO as I think it would go a long way in shaking up the scene.

I agree alot of the CRPG''s out there from japan are great.

I agree that the Tolkien-esque fantasy setting, especially in MMOGs, has gotten out of hand. It just seems so stale now.

Where can the fantasy genre be changed so that it still has a fantasy feel but strays away from the Tolkien-esque? A good example of a game that has accomplished a unique fantasy feel is American McGee''s Alice.

Here a few areas where unique fantasy can be created. Please add any ideas of your own!

- Setting. Start with setting from a different era. The dark ages need to go. Or even better, create a setting that doesn''t correlate to any era Earth has experienced.
- Magic. The concept of magic tends to be the same in almost all fantasy. Change it somehow. Replace it with telekinesis perhaps. Maybe remove magic altogether.
- Good and Evil. Typically good is represented by society, and evil by some kind of overlord or God. This can be changed. Is a supreme evil necessary? Is evil necessary at all?


Strangeness is what today''s fantasy lacks. Fantasy is supposed to be imaginitive. But the same formula is continuously being used in fantasy games, making the strange seem normal. And that is defeating the purpose of fantasy. Make people wonder what weird drugs you were on when designing your game, and you are well on your way to a hit. =]

I know what you mean. ''Course I can''t slam any one of these ideas, because I''ve come to the belief that while I have my opinions, so do other people, and so there''s just no reason to do that.

Now, you''re talking about anime, and a lack of "strangeness" in RPGs. Are you thinking of, say, FCLC?

I''d like to see a fantasy set during the dark ages/middle ages without any magic. Those periods of time can be made interesting enough without recourse to magic and monsters and other such crap. It really is a cop out.