Written by Gamespy's Dan Stapleton, the article aims to answer the question can Diablo 3 be really called an action role-playing game or it lacks certain gameplay mechanics and is, thus, simply just an action game.
The writer opens the article by trying to define what an RPG game - according to him - is, separates the action RPGs from the story-driven RPGs and goes on to examine the former more closely, taking Diablo and Diablo 2 as specimen and putting them next to their successor.
So if Diablo and Diablo 2 were, clearly, action RPGs, why can't D3 be called that as well?
Stapleton writes:
"As we play [Diablo 3], we do earn experience points and level up to unlock new abilities, but we're given no choice in the matter -- reaching a new level simply opens up a new equippable option when we reach a predetermined point in the level progression, much like earning a new gun in a shooter. The result is that my level 55 Monk is identical to every other level 55 Monk on the planet. Sure, I can select which powers I want equipped, but that's no different from a shooter that lets you pick what guns to put in your hands from an inventory. If your character can do everything my character can do, then they are by definition the same character."
As per usual, we are very interested what you have to say on the matter. So go to our Diablo 3 frontpage and take the poll. You can leave us a comment justifying your opinion on why Diablo 3 is/is not an RPG here.
Source: Gamespy.com
Diablo III: Is it really an RPG?
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