History SoYouWantTo / WriteAnRPG

Does the hero arrive on the scene with total amnesia, or does he recognize people he's met and places he's been before? (Warning: Amnesia has been done an awful lot in [=RPGs=]; if you're going to use it, make sure you use it well) Do {{NPC}}s recognize him? How important is the hero? How experienced is he? If he's supposed to be experienced and well-traveled, how do you justify [[OverratedAndUnderleveled starting him at level one]] with a [[WithThisHerring wooden sword]]?

* Do you want to be even more creative? Because RPGElements can be stitched into almost any other genre of video game. FirstPersonShooter RPG hybrid? 'VideoGame/DeusEx'' beat you to it. MatchThreeGame? ''VideoGame/PuzzleQuest''. RealTimeStrategy players can mess with ''VideoGame/WarCraft III'' and, to a lesser extent, ''VideoGame/HomeworldCataclysm''. Sports games, simulation games, 4X games, even platformers have successfully hybridized with RPGs. The sky's the limit!

Also, don't get stuck by BeautyEqualsGoodness: Ugly characters can be good, [[EvilIsSexy beautiful ones bad]]. In fact, ''mean'' characters can be [[GoodIsNotNice good]] and ''friendly'' ones [[AffablyEvil bad]]. It's an Aesop that should be drilled into kids very early, seeing as it reduces the chance of their going with [[BitchInSheepsClothing "nice" strangers]] or shunning [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold "mean" kids]] at school (who might be won over by a pleasant interaction or two).

Also, don't get stuck by BeautyEqualsGoodness: Ugly characters can be good, [[EvilIsSexy beautiful ones bad]]. In fact, ''mean'' characters can be [[GoodIsNotNice good]] and ''friendly'' ones [[AffablyEvil bad]]. Study the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series for some especially good versions of this twist -- it's an Aesop that should be drilled into kids very early, seeing as it reduces the chance of their going with [[BitchInSheepsClothing "nice" strangers]] or shunning [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold "mean" kids]] at school (who might be won over by a pleasant interaction or two).

''Videogame/{{Earthbound}}'' took a sudden veer away from the traditional RPG setting with a modern yet fantastic world that worked up from crazy townsfolk to cultists, zombies, bigfoot, aliens, robots, and an underground community of talking monkeys. The hero withdrew funds from an ATM, drove around on a bicycle, killed monsters with a baseball bat, and could catch heatstroke from being in the sun too long. He could also get homesick (a serious status ailment that needed to be cured by a quick phone home). The fight with Giygas at the end is also required reading for those wishing to make a memorable FinalBoss, as it effectively conveys just how pants-wettingly terrifying a fight with an outright EldritchAbomination should be.

The character's starting weapon. These are usually tossed when you get to the next town, in favour of whatever else you get. IRL, a warrior would choose a WeaponOfChoice, and stick with it (probably getting super-attached to it too). Make it an EvolvingWeapon and/ or EmpathicWeapon. or even the SwordOfPlotAdvancement (how's ''that'' for a subversion? The crappy hunk of metal you start with is the Sword that Slays Evil.)

Another thing you could try is getting infected by TheCorruption while fighting the enemy, going from a noble {{Paladin}} to a slavering Daemonspawn, [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie the very thing you're fighting do destroy, something the character has been raised from birth to abhor]]. Abilities granted by TheCorruption could be CastFromHitPoints, and tied to a KarmaMeter. Not using it makes the game harder (and the abilities are wicked cool, like AnimateDead or SpawnBroodling or some other sub-set of LovecraftianSuperPower, just to make it extra-difficult to resist using), but using it until you accidentally kill yourself or hit zero Karma leads to a DownerEnding or NonStandardGameOver because the BigBad considers TheCorruption to be "a gift, given to my children," and he/she/it therefore owns the character, body and soul. Getting a low Karma score brings into play "I-created-you-so-you-can't-touch-me", (which, as far as One knows, has no trope) making the FinalBoss fight very hard. Low Karma score could [[AndYourRewardIsClothes make a character gain a really slinky, revealing version of the Daemonhunter's uniform]], weather with AbsoluteCleavage or WalkingShirtlessScene (manky, pockmarked grey skin optional), and they could get UhOhEyes and SpikesOfVillainy and/or ShouldersOfDoom. You could also have some weapons infected by TheCorruption, and make them steal HP whenever you make a successful CriticalHit, and hurt the character when they miss. One could even go so far as to [[TranshumanTreachery let the player keep going as a Daemonspawn if they bottom out their]] KarmaMeter, or a Zombie if their health hits zero.

''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' was wonderful, yes, but your protagonist doesn't have to be an angsty {{antihero}} who is really a TomatoInTheMirror. Really. For that matter, your villain doesn't have to be an angsty {{bishonen}} with a [[AGodAmI god complex]], either. On the opposite end, your hero doesn't have to be a courageous, sword-wielding, happy-go-lucky teenager who becomes an AllLovingHero despite being [[IdiotHero not that bright]], and your female lead doesn't have to be a demure FriendToAllLivingThings who wields a [[SimpleStaff staff]] or a bow and arrow and specialises in magic, or a bratty {{Tsundere}} who falls in love with the hero anyway and also is the party's main healer/caster.

If you're considering hard Fantasy or Science Fiction, don't immediately reach for PowerGlows. Can you think of some other way for your battles and attacks to impress? You can turn them UpToEleven if you want, but will it fit in with the setting?

FacelessMooks are cliché. The "bad guys" should have their stories told too. Try not to just use ThoseTwoBadGuys or EnemyChatter, but give the [[AnotherSideAnotherStory Villain(ous side) its own campaign]].

Also, don't get stuck by BeautyEqualsGoodness: Ugly characters can be good, [[EvilIsSexy beautiful ones bad]]. In fact, ''mean'' characters can be [[GoodIsNotNice good]] and ''friendly'' ones [[AffablyEvil bad]]. Study the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series for some especially good versions of this twist -- it's an Aesop that should be drilled into kids very early, seeing as it reduces the chance of their going with [[FauxAffablyEvil "nice" strangers]] or shunning [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold "mean" kids]] at school (who might be won over by a pleasant interaction or two).

Make it SurvivalHorror. Try PlayingThePlayer, VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories style. The RPG equivalent would be VideoGame/FinalFantasyX - you could try ''VideoGame/StraySoulsDollhouseStory'' style, maybe even with the protagonist being the victim of the twists instead of the companion. The RPG equivalent of that would be ''Franchise/{{Persona}}''.

''VideoGame/BlueDragon'' attempted to be a ClicheStorm, and it was praised for its traditional setting. It took some of the cliches to new heights, and managed to be original, avoid cliches, but still make the work a ClicheStorm at the same time. If you're going to use a ClicheStorm, it's worth PlayingThePlayer in some way, and subverting the tropes, while still using them as the framework for the plot.

Make it SurvivalHorror. Try PlayingThePlayer, VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories style. The RPG equivalent would be VideoGame/FinalFantasyX - you could try ''VideoGame/StraySoulsDollhouseStory'' style, maybe even with the protagonist being the victim of the twists instead of the companion. The RPG equivalent of that would be [[{{VideoGame/Persona}} Persona]].

There are two kinds of people in the RPG world. Some like the freedom to customize their characters to an extreme extent; they want their characters to be a completely blank slate upon which they, The Player, can write their intentions with impunity. Other players prefer to be limited to the {{Splat}}s discussed in AnAdventurerIsYou, and like assembling a party which is greater than the sum of its parts. To quote Mark Rosewater of ''MagicTheGathering'', some games give you options and some give you choices: either you can have A and B, or you can have A ''or'' B. The reason this is being brought up is to simply say this: ''You can't do both in one game''. Even the mix-and-match ClassAndLevelSystem started in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' and elaborated on in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', which ''seems'' to be an option/A-and-B system, is actually a choice/A-or-B game, because once the fight starts, you only have X number of commands available to you. It doesn't matter if Ramza has mastered Ninja, Knight and Summoner; right now he's still a Time Mage with Samurai as his secondary job, and right now that's all you get from him, ''period''. This is in comparison to the original (non-jobbed) version of ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII FF12]]'', where everyone can have everything in play at once; furthermore, ''because'' of the modular nature of the License Board, you could basically homogenize your characters to the point that Ashe, Vaan and Basch were functionally identical. Making Basch your main-tank did not limit his ability to use magic, or ranged weapons, or evasive technicks; in ''[=FF12=]'', every character could be everything. ''[=FF12=]'' gives you options where ''FFT'' gives you choices.

''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' are unique in the genre in that they take place in a modern-day setting that's LikeRealityUnlessNoted, as well as for incorporating a way to improve your stats and abilities ''outside'' of battle. The [[LevelUpAtIntimacy5 Social Links]] are a pretty innovative way of fleshing out the in-game world by adding a psuedo-DatingSim mechanics to the game. It also helps that the characters for these links are usually incredibly well-written, and delving deeper into their stories rewards the player not only in terms of gameplay, but by making them more emotionally invested in the world that they're supposed to be saving.

There are two tropes which are infinitely more useful and common than you'd think if you have the traditional FiveManBand. The five-man version of FourTemperamentEnsemble is common. You have your gothic BlackMage, soft-spoken WhiteMage, tough female warrior, big tough angry guy who is really a JerkWithAHeartOfGold, and of course your classic sword-wielding HotBlooded hero. If you have your hero as a TokenHuman, FiveTokenBand is the other trope. In a Lord of the Rings setting, elves, dwarves etc. are useful for this, while in sci-fi, four different species of aliens, and in a MedievalEuropeanFantasy, four different species of [[PettingZooPeople furries]] are quite popular. Using both at the same time should go down well with the fans (especially four species of furries, because of it's use of AnimalStereotypes.)

Also, don't get stuck by BeautyEqualsGoodness: Ugly characters can be good, [[EvilIsSexy beautiful ones bad]]. In fact, ''mean'' characters can be [[GoodIsNotNice good]] and ''friendly'' ones [[AffablyEvil bad]]. Study the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series for some especially good versions of this twist -- it's an Aesop that should be drilled into kids very early, seeing as it reduces the chance of their going with [[FauxAffablyEvil nice strangers]] or shunning [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold "mean" kids]] at school (who might be won over by a pleasant interaction or two).

WarIsHell. That's common knowledge. That's also very depressing. A [[{{Wangst}} whiny, post-traumatic]] hero is a cliché, and no fun either. Try making him [[BloodyHilarious gleefully]] [[AxCrazy psychotic]] and/ or a CombatSadomasochist for a change.

Also, don't get stuck by BeautyEqualsGoodness: Ugly characters can be good, [[EvilIsSexy beautiful ones bad]]. In fact, ''mean'' characters can be [[GoodIsNotNice good]] and ''friendly'' ones [[AffablyEvil bad]]. Study the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series for some especially good versions of this twist -- it's an Aesop that should be drilled into kids very early, seeing as it reduces the chance of their going with [[FauxAffablyEvil nice]] [[BadSamaritan strangers]] or shunning [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold "mean"]] [[IneffectualLoner kids]] at school (who might be won over by a pleasant interaction or two).

Another thing you could try is getting infected by TheCorruption while fighting the enemy, going from a noble {{Paladin}} to a slavering Daemonspawn, [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie the very thing you're fighting do destroy, something the character has been raised from birth to abhor]]. Abilities granted by TheCorruption could be CastFromHitPoints, and tied to a KarmaMeter. Not using it makes the game harder (and the abilities are wicked cool, like AnimateDead or SpawnBroodling or some other sub-set of LovecraftianSuperPower, just to make it extra-difficult to resist using), but using it until you accidentally kill yourself or hit zero Karma leads to a DownerEnding or NonStandardGameOver because the BigBad considers TheCorruption to be "a gift, given to my children," and he/she/it therefore owns the character, body and soul. Getting a low Karma score brings into play "I-created-you-so-you-can't-touch-me", (which, as far as One knows, has no trope) making the FinalBoss fight very hard. Low Karma score could [[AndYourRewardIsClothes make a character gain]] [[EvilIsSexy a really slinky, revealing version of the Daemonhunter's uniform]], weather with AbsoluteCleavage or WalkingShirtlessScene (manky, pockmarked grey skin optional), and they could get UhOhEyes and SpikesOfVillainy and/or ShouldersOfDoom. You could also have some weapons infected by TheCorruption, and make them steal HP whenever you make a successful CriticalHit, and hurt the character when they miss. One could even go so far as to [[TranshumanTreachery let the player keep going as a Daemonspawn if they bottom out their]] KarmaMeter, or a Zombie if their health hits zero.

Also, don't get stuck by BeautyEqualsGoodness: Ugly characters can be good, [[EvilIsSexy beautiful ones bad]]. In fact, ''mean'' characters can be [[GoodIsNotNice good]] and ''friendly'' ones [[AffablyEvil bad]]. Study the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series for some especially good versions of this twist -- it's an Aesop that should be drilled into kids very early, seeing as it reduces the chance of their going with nice strangers or shunning [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold "mean"]] [[IneffectualLoner kids]] at school (who might be won over by a pleasant interaction or two).

YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters. Those Rebels you've been gunning down had loved ones. A FatalFamilyPhoto found while prying the boots and jewelry off an enemy can be a good way to induce a HeroicBSOD.

Try adding a "Classic Mode" quick-play that puts the character into a {{Splat}} mold and streamlines the combat system/ TechTree.

YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters. Those Rebels you've been gunning down had loved ones. A FatalFamilyPhoto found while prying the boots and jewelery off an enemy can be a good way to induce a HeroicBSOD.

Another thing you could try is getting infected by TheCorruption while fighting the enemy, going from a noble {{Paladin}} to a slavering Daemonspawn, [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie the very thing you're fighting do destroy, something the character has been raised from birth to abhor]]. Abilities granted by TheCorruption could be CastFromHitPoints, and tied to a KarmaMeter. Not using it makes the game harder (and the abilities are wicked cool, like AnimateDead or SpawnBroodling or some other sub-set of LovecraftianSuperPower, just to make it extra-difficult to resist using), but using it untill you accidentally kill yourself or hit zero Karma leads to a DownerEnding or NonStandardGameOver because the BigBad considers TheCorruption to be "A gift, given to my children," and he/ she/ it therefore owns the character, body and soul. Getting a low Karma score brings into play "I-created-you-so-you-can't-touch-me", (which, as far as One knows, has no trope) making the FinalBoss fight very hard. Low Karma score could [[AndYourRewardIsClothes make a character gain]] [[EvilIsSexy a really slikny, revealing version of the Daemonhunter's uniform]], weather with AbsoluteCleavage or WalkingShirtlessScene (manky, pockmarked grey skin optional), and they could get UhOhEyes and SpikesOfVillainy and /or ShouldersOfDoom. You could also have some weapons infected by TheCorruption, and make them steal HP whenever you make a successful CriticalHit, and hurt the character when they miss. One could even go so far as to [[TranshumanTreachery let the player keep going as a Daemonspawn if they bottom out their]] KarmaMeter, or a Zombie if their health hits zero.

If you're considering hard Fantasy or Science Fiction, don't immediately reach for PowerGlows. Can you think of some other way for your battles and attacks to impress? You can turn them UpToEleven if you want,but will it fit in with the setting?

* For [[StrategyRPG TacticalRPG]]-style games, try the ''VideoGame/ShiningForce'' series.

''HorribleDemon2''. The backstory is that there was a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin horrible demon]] running around until the hero with the [[InfinityPlusOneSword legendary sword]] ''[[RockBeatsLaser threw a stone]]'' at it and it went away. Now the hero this time round has summoned it (by the way, one reviewer likened it to a buffalo/[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pikachu]] hybrid - the Game Boy does have graphics limitations but [[SpecialEffectsFailure not to that extent]]) but it's gone out of control and you have to stop it. There's no challenge because, in keeping with the backstory, you can buy a stone that you can throw at anything to effortlessly defeat it. [[AnticlimaxBoss Including all the bosses.]]

''TheDemonRush''. The Demon Rush is the ultimate example of How Not To Do It--how best to mismanage your time, budget, and skills. It's patently obvious the designer has only played a few [=JRPGs=]--The Demon Rush plays like a JRPG xeroxed to the point of illegibility, to the point where despite being a computer game you can't even use the keyboard to write your characters' names or use the mouse to click anything. The plot is an incomprehensible mess of exposition, jargon, and "dramatic revelations" that require more exposition and more jargon. Characters are poorly-designed in every way: they look stupid, they have random abilities that make every character a useless jack-of-all-trades, and they're all poorly-written, with most of them talking in the same voice and in the same stilted diction. Enemies are staggeringly hard and drop zilch for experience. Bosses are too easy. Deus ex machina and author appeal are everywhere. Even the coding is a abomination. See the [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2913491 announcement thread]] and the [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2925321 Let's Play]] on the Something Awful forums for the full skinny. Take notes on a piece of stationary titled THINGS I MUST NEVER, EVER DO.

Make it SurvivalHorror. Try PlayingThePlayer, VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories style. The RPG equivalent would be VideoGame/FinalFantasyX - you could try StraySoulsDollhouseStory style, maybe even with the protagonist being the victim of the twists instead of the companion. The RPG equivalent of that would be [[{{VideoGame/Persona}} Persona]].

Make it SurvivalHorror. Try PlayingThePlayer, SilentHillShatteredMemories style. The RPG equivalent would be VideoGame/FinalFantasyX - you could try StraySoulsDollhouseStory style, maybe even with the protagonist being the victim of the twists instead of the companion. The RPG equivalent of that would be [[{{VideoGame/Persona}} Persona]].

''PhantasyStar IV'' went with sci-fi underpinnings, complete with alien worlds and spacecraft, plus PsychicPowers in an alien language that you had to work out as you went (assuming you didn't just [[GuideDangIt look it up]]). Consider this a lesson in the pros and cons of not using [[CanisLatinicus Latin]] for your spell language, if there is one.