Do you prefer Turn-Based RPGs or Action RPGs?

Question

I've had this debate with a couple of people, and I'd like to get some more opinions on the subject. If you don't know what I'm talking about, a turn-based RPG is a game like the traditional Final Fantasy games in which you take turns attacking the enemy. An action RPG is a bit like WoW, where you just pummel things for experience.

I personally prefer turn-based RPGs. I like a bit of strategy in my game experience, and there's a lot of strategy involved in knowing who should attack first, which turn would be a good time for an item, etc. I feel like a tool when I play an action RPG. Yes, both genres involve killing enemies to gain experience to kill bigger enemies, but turn-based RPGs feel a lot less mindless to me. Games like WoW make my brain a little melty after about an hour of slaughtering things nonstop.

What do you guys think?

Answer 1

I'll always prefer strategy over button mashing.

But Paper Mario 64 has, and always will be my favorite game, so my opinion is probably a little bias.

Answer 2

Hm.... Its a tough choice for me, because I like both types. But it all depends on the mood I'm in. If I'm in a blood-thirsty rank-earning mood, I'll play games like Guild Wars or WoW. But if im in a calm mood and want some problem solving and a bit of a challenge, then I'll just pop Final Fantasy in and have some good clean fun.

Bottom line: I like turn-based RPG's

Answer 3

I like both but I am with you on turn based strategy games, you have to think of which way to attack better to come out on top.

Answer 4

turn-based all the way. i like the strategy. i have always been a huge FF fan since the first 1 on the NES. i like trying to find the weaknesses in the enemies you fight, make sure everybody is healed and good to go. while you have a few attack the enemy in the best way possible judging on the enemies attacks, apperince, and surroundings. i don't mind action rpg's such as kingdom hearts which is really awesome. but i prefere turn-based.  

Answer 5

Turn based by far, They are so much more fun and tend to offer better story-lines, especially Final Fantasy games and other Square-Enix games like Chrono Trigger, while the open ended and in my opinion bland and boring action RPG's have very little story to them at all, and the combat is just terrible and mind numbingly repetitive, they just aren't engaging at all.

Paper Mario is another great turn based RPG as is Mario RPG, Zelda isn't actually considered an RPG just an Adventure game, the only Zelda game that had any real RPG elements to it was Zelda 2 on the NES.

Answer 6

Turnbased

I like both, but Action requires to much button mashing

Answer 7

I prefer action...

I'd MUCH rather be able to duck and weave than to be a sitting duck... XP

But I play both... ^_^

EDIT:

Zelda has to be one of my favs...

I also play Wow...

But I think I don't play as most play action RPGs. I'd much rather quest and do things for people to gain exp, than to just mindlessly go around killing everything... =/  Which is why I still play turn based, I'd just rather not be a sitting duck. ~quack~  ^_^

Answer 8

I enjoy turn-based RPGs a lot more for several reasons. One is that with most turn-based games, you can control a large party of many characters, and each character has different abilities and what not, so you get a lot more variety. I also find them more of a challenge. In particular, I think of Fire Emblem, with the whole "a character dies and theres no way to ever revive him", which makes the game so much more challenging. I also enjoy setting up actual walls, where my tank troops are in the front to take most of the damage, with long-range characters (archers and mages) safely in the middle of the tanks.

So yeah, turn-based RPGs rock my socks.

Very interesting topic btw.

Answer 9

I have to say that I myself prefer Turn-Based Strategy. Nowadays I am finding it harder and harder to find a good turn-based RPG.

But when you find one its great. I really like the Mana khemia series. It's funny and has a great battle system. The story has everything you could want and the characters are as "colorful" as you could get.

I am not completely against action RPG's. I don’t know if every one would consider this a action RPG's But I do. Tales of destiny is one of my favorite classics. "on a side note I am a little pezed at the tale's people. The new one is only on the 360!. Can you say Sell - Out's?"

For me It's all about Depth. Which is something you have to sacrifice for action.

So, to me turn based just allows more variables. And with turn-based strategy it's like a really complex chess game. : )