Wii Warm Up: FPS vs. RPG
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ Aug 29th 2008 at 8:00AM }
In many discussions about what's missing in the Wii's library, two game types often come up: first person shooters and roleplaying games. And while there's certainly crossover among fans of these genres (aside: this blogger loves both), many people tend to vastly prefer one over the other. Of course, that means we're about to ask you which one you'd rather see more of on the Wii. Be a sport and pick one (though feel free to back that pick up with a statement of support for the other). You know how we love making you choose.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
lobotomies4free @ Aug 29th 2008 8:28AM
FPS. I just don't see the Wii remote adding much to the RPG genre anytime soon
racecar @ Aug 29th 2008 9:47AM
Honestly, I wouldn't want waggle in my RPG anyway. Fire Emblem got it right.
Mr Khan @ Aug 29th 2008 12:03PM
Fire Emblem got it wrong. A damn pointer would've helped so much
The only drawback is the battery suckage...
nil @ Aug 29th 2008 8:19AM
I absolutely despise FPS games. I prefer action RPGs and SRPGs over traditional RPGs. Most modern RPGs worry too much about padding the play time in order to be able to brag about how long the game is. If I had to choose one, I'd say RPG.
But I prefer platformers, shmups and 2D fighters.
iofthestorm @ Aug 30th 2008 3:25AM
I agree, I've found recently that SRPGs rock, and the DS is a great platform for those. The Wii seems like it would be a nice platform for those as well. RPGs are much better than FPSs overall though, but the Wii seems like it's pretty well suited for FPSs. I still think we need more RPGs though.
theMediaman @ Aug 29th 2008 8:29AM
I've always loved FPS ahead of RPGs, but that's when I was gaming on a PC. The Wii is the first console that can do FPS's right... you just can't aim with a joystick!
That said, I still enjoy Quake with my mouse more than WiiQuake... but that's probably just a matter of refining the controls.
Metal_Link @ Aug 29th 2008 8:31AM
I'm of the FPS kind of person. Though a couple of years ago, I was the other way around, being an RPG person.
Blame TF2 for my conversion. :O
psyborg @ Aug 29th 2008 8:37AM
I prefer FPS games, been playing them almost as long as the genre has existed.
The Wii is a much better platform for FPS than the other consoles(second to PC), I hope we get some more.
Nathew @ Aug 29th 2008 8:39AM
RPG. i'll take boredom over frustration any day.
il_duce620 @ Aug 29th 2008 8:40AM
For me, it would be FPS for the sole reason that it seems the Wii controls/design lend themselves to FPS games in an obvious ways, whereas it wouldn't add as much (perhaps?) to an RPG. I guess you could get the point-and-click thing down and used in an RPG, but again, it seems like they do just fine with a regular controller.
aneurysmi @ Aug 29th 2008 8:41AM
Action-Adventure, motherf'ers! You wanna fight about it?
Jon @ Aug 29th 2008 11:51AM
haha
Peter S @ Aug 29th 2008 8:58AM
Definitely lean towards the RPG genre. I can't stand most FPS games - just feels a lot like "kill everything in sight, heal, repeat" without too much of a story. Now I will put in an exception for a game like System Shock. (haven't played Bioshock) While I realize that SS is more of an FPS game, it was enjoyable because there seemed to be a plot and a chance to do some basic leveling up. I really enjoyed Knights of the Old Republic and am pretty disappointed with the current direction of that series towards an MMO. I don't really play RPGs to chat with someone, I want to immerse myself in a world and storyline.
Personally, I prefer adventure games and really like Zack & Wiki. I enjoy the puzzle-solving thing quite a bit and Z&W had a good blend of a little bit of action with some creative use of the controls. I would love to see similar games released. If they were of similar quality, I'd be pretty quick to snatch one up.
Anthony @ Aug 29th 2008 9:03AM
RPG
BlackDogAssault @ Aug 29th 2008 9:10AM
RPG all the way... FPS tend to move the camera too much, I get motion sickness...~_~'... TPS are way better.
But what's very good about RPGs are the depth of the story and lenghty gameplays, so I'll go for those epic like, in the Wii library so far, only Okami is.
nastysquar3d @ Aug 29th 2008 9:10AM
I'm more of a FPS type person myself, which is why I was enormously excited about the Wii.
That being said, I love Diablo. It's most definitely one of my favorite games of all time.
So where's that leave me? Probably voting for FPS.
Chintz @ Aug 29th 2008 9:15AM
FPS definitely. Especially for Wii - the Wiimote has more to offer that genre than it does RPGs.
Though I suppose it could work well with a PC-style PRG like Diablo or Oblivion.
Al3xand3r @ Aug 29th 2008 9:21AM
I like both, glad the Wii is getting both. And yes I consider Prime a FPS regardless of what people say. So what, it's explorative, with puzzles, adventure, etc, it's still a FPS and a damn good one at that, FPS isn't just about mindless blasting, just look @ what are considered the greatest of their time, games like Half-Life, and others which put emphasis on more than just blasting bad guys.
So, yeah, Prime was great, I want more of it, Conduit might be fun, COD5, RedSteel 2 hopefully Ubisoft learnt from their mistakes, etc.
And for RPG I look forward to Arc Rise Fantasia, Kizuno, the inevitable Baten Kaitos sequel, Opoona was pretty fun, Tales of Symphonia 2, Crystal Bearers, and more.
I think the Wii will soon have enough of every genre for every fan :)
Al3xand3r @ Aug 29th 2008 9:21AM
Oh and why do people say they don't want RPG because the Wii wouldn't add much? So what? Not every game has to use motion/waggle, I thought we established that (though Opoona was creative). Games can be good without enhanced controls, so a good RPG on Wii will be a good RPG. The controls may not add, but they won't take from it either, why not want such good games?
lobotomies4free @ Aug 29th 2008 12:16PM
that's what our ps2 is for
Cyan09 @ Aug 29th 2008 9:21AM
Although I do love both, there seems to be a lot more FPS games already available for the Wii or in development (looking at you, Conduit). I own several myself, but unless you count Paper Mario as and RPG (I don't) I've only found Okami and Zelda worth picking up, and they are much more action oriented than traditional RPG. I've heard good things about Fire Emblem but just couldn't get into the one for the 'cube. What I want to know is, what the hey happened to the Crystal Chronicles game? You know, the real one, not that sim-city Wii-ware nonsense.
TWOO DEE @ Aug 29th 2008 10:16AM
last i heard the crystal bearers game was canned =\
racecar @ Aug 29th 2008 1:56PM
The DS Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is supposed to "[set] the stage for two more entries in the series: FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King for WiiWare, and FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: The Crystal Bearers for Wii." That's as of March, anyway. Chances are they were just working on the WiiWare and DS games and let it go till they were finished. Still looks planned, though.
terryjr91 @ Aug 29th 2008 9:22AM
It would have to be RPGs for me. I would like to see something hardcore. something that will take me at least 40 hours to complete. I still want to see some more FPSs, but a platformer would be pretty cool. something like Ratchet and Clank.
ChrisCanberg @ Aug 29th 2008 7:42PM
I like RPGs and FPSs. But there are things I like about each of them and vice versa.
Like I love the RPG elements. Leveling up, customization, but I like to see all of that in an action game. Kingdom Hearts is the prime example. Its still considered an RPG, but its all in real time. I basically love RPGs but I almost despise turn based combat. Besides Pokemon.
FPSs have some good qualities too. But like in War FPSs (Call Of Duty) sometimes I feel like everything that happens with my character is out of my control. Like I understand thats the point and all, since its FIRST person and you don't get to see everything coming at you at once, but I dunno I just get a little frustrated with that sometimes. But I do like always finding the best gun and using that to tear people apart. The best is when I'm completely on a roll and I have a killing streak that rivals that of the numbers of millions of albums Michael Jackson sells. small joke.
If I had to choose one though, it'd be RPGs.
racecar @ Aug 29th 2008 9:46AM
This poll is cruel. FPSs and RPGs are both my gaming loves. This is like picking which of your children dies. (Ok. Not *that* bad.)
I think out of the two I'd like to see more RPGs on the Wii. There really isn't a satisfactory amount of serious, grinding, Squeenix-y RPGs on the Wii. There's a couple on the VC which can sate my thirst, but only one or two good ones for the actual Wii. FPSs are also sparse, but have better replay ability. I can go back and get my fun out of a game like MoHH2, MP3, or (upcoming) The Conduit even if I might have beaten the single-player campaigns already. RPGs usually require a good year or two to cool off before I go back through and play them.
vidGuy @ Aug 29th 2008 9:57AM
Damn, tough question. I guess I'd say RPGs because I've got plenty of FPS on the 360 but my combo Wii60 isn't getting much RPG love.
Dave T @ Aug 29th 2008 9:58AM
Gotta go with the FPS. I mean, the wiimote itself points at the screen. Just looking for something better than what Red Steel brought to the table.
Adrian @ Aug 29th 2008 10:03AM
I refuse to choose between those! What an awful thing to ask. That's like asking a person to choose between cookies & cake! Or cheese & meat! I've been into First Person Shooters ever since Wolfenstien 3D on the PC. And RPG's are great, too! You guys are craaazzy!!!
jaredgood1 @ Aug 29th 2008 10:16AM
RPG. IR and motion control could be used quite well to spice up combat. Spells cast by drawing symbols (like Okami or Black and White) and motion controls could spice up combat by either combining motion plus a button press for an attack boost (similar to how you could get an extra hit with a well timed button press in Final Fantasy 8) or as a movement sequence to add to an attack (like the button press system in Gladius).
TWOO DEE @ Aug 29th 2008 10:21AM
FPS
the first game i ever became obsessed with, and that kept me up past midnight, was the multiplayer portion of Return to Castle Wolfenstein on PC
Feba @ Aug 29th 2008 10:39AM
The Wii already has plenty of good RPGs (although not much for traditional RPGs I'll admit), and a few good FPS (and more on the way)
What I'd like to see most is a massive RPG. Something along the lines of Oblivion I could really see benefiting from the point and click controls of the Wii.
Although if you classify Shenmue as an RPG, that. Hands down.
Jon @ Aug 29th 2008 11:51AM
Shenmue on Wii would be wonderful... *sigh. Any chance of seeing Dreamcast ports on the Virtual Console anytime soon?
pjsingh @ Aug 29th 2008 10:46AM
rpg all the way. most of the time in fps u have repetetive gameplay *cough cough halo 3 (kill everything in sight, nothing more)*
MrTyzik @ Aug 29th 2008 10:55AM
I would definitely prefer more RPGs on the system as that's genre I am more likely to buy and play. However, I would also like more FPS just to show others that the Wii is a real game system with one HUGE advantage over the others in the FPS arena.
Thunderbird @ Aug 29th 2008 11:05AM
RPGs because there aren't as many good ones as there are good FPSs on the Wii (not counting the virtual console.) And developers could use the motion control like Sonic Chronicles, except different from elite beat agents.
brbarnhart @ Aug 29th 2008 11:21AM
I have never liked FPS games. I would, however, give them another shot with Wii contros.
I love a good RPG and would love to see some more on my Wii. I don't want to see any waggle to the controls.
samfish @ Aug 29th 2008 11:58AM
I don't care for either genre, but I LOATHE FPSs. I feel like the gameplay really hasn't evolved in any meaningful or significant way since Quake.
I don't like very many RPGs, as the gameplay is too slow and methodical or my tastes...but I've at least enjoyed some RPGs in the past.
So even though the Wiimore obviously adds a LOT more to FPS games, I'd rather have RPGs!
TX2 @ Aug 29th 2008 12:00PM
On the one hand, Homebrewers and some select publishers have already provided plenty of First person shooters. Of course there's plenty of RPGs in the Virtual console section, though there's hardly any innovation in a direct port.
I'm going to say RPG. I'm still waiting for a game that Gauges the angle of your grip on the wiimote and applies it to your character's personality, or something trippy like that.
Mr Khan @ Aug 29th 2008 12:04PM
A veritable wave of 3rd-party RPGs is coming. That one from Jaleco, Fragile, Arc Rise Fantasia,
So i'd have to say FPS
rouroniJohn @ Aug 29th 2008 12:10PM
theres a lot more shooter games coming out than RPGs..
Mr Khan @ Aug 29th 2008 12:43PM
If you include Light-gun-style shooters in that category, i suppose you're right
I tend to think of them as separate genres, and of proper, off-rails FPS, the Wii is still lacking
nicolas @ Aug 29th 2008 12:06PM
i like both.... idk which i prefer better. it just depends what mood i am in.
rouroniJohn @ Aug 29th 2008 12:08PM
hmmm
its kinda hard to choose since i've been waiting
for both on my wii but i would have to say RPG...just because there havent been any yet..
Drizzt @ Aug 29th 2008 12:12PM
Honestly, I think something in the line of "Wii have a mouse wii can use from the coach, I want games that do use it".
I want games that could really fit Wii, games that need a mouse and don't need that much graphic power:
1) Strategics like Civilization, Zeus, Caesar, [Something] Tycoon, C&C, one of the thousand of strategics that are published on a DS and not on the Wii
2) Puzzle games like TIM, a remake of Lemmings
3) Good adventures I can play with the family, like the one from Lucasarts, the Myst's saga, something from Sokal
For the poll, between FPSs and RPGs I vote for RPGs, but only if we are talking about Occidental, top view, turn based combat RPGs like BG, Fallout, Arcanum...
CJLopez @ Aug 29th 2008 12:56PM
Bout, and if is a FPS with RPG elements even better
Secre @ Aug 29th 2008 6:35PM
Sorta like Mass Effect on the 360, only in first person?
andrea.roppa @ Aug 29th 2008 5:04PM
I'd choose RPG,
but what I really miss is some serious driving game.
Max Headroom @ Aug 29th 2008 4:48PM
Definitely FPS. Shooters have the great arcade quality that you can choose to play a match for ten minutes then quit, or you can play for hours at a time. Good ones have lots of variety, a huge replayability factor, and a story that doesn't interfere with the action. I would certainly like to see many more on the Wii. Does anyone remember the Hexen games? We need some more magic/fantasy based FPS games.
RPGs that are heavily story-oriented progress far too slowly for my tastes. A 40 hour game can take me a month or more to complete, and when it is spread out over that amount of time, I find it very hard to remember details that might be important to the story or my progression. The action oriented RPG-lites like Diablo or Baldur's Gate are fun though. You can sit down months later, whether you remember the story or not, and still have a good time clearing out a dungeon.
OpNickC @ Aug 29th 2008 4:58PM
When I was younger, I may have gone for RPG. But who has the time anymore?
Either way, FPS games can just plain be more immersive, more challenging, more engaging, and more fun.
Granted, not all of them are, and many are very generic, but overall I think I'll take the orange box over final fantasy.