History Main / WesternRPG

The history of Western [=RPGs=] is a long one, and is intimately tied to the history of the RPG genre as a whole. For more information on the genre's history, see [[UsefulNotes/WesternRPG its Useful Notes]]. The WRPG genre is also closely linked to several other genres outside of [=RPGs=] by their shared origins; RPG codifier and WRPG pioneer ''VideoGame/{{Ultima}}'' also gave birth to the ImmersiveSim [[note]]with the ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'' SpinOff[[/note]] and the {{MMORPG}} genres[[note]]''VideoGame/UltimaOnline'' had not invented the genre, but it was its first commercial success[[/note]].

The emergence of the narrative RPG became a new GenreTurningPoint for the WRPG genre. As the [[UsefulNotes/TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames sixth generation]] approached, Western [=RPGs=] went on an offensive and plant boots on the console ground with ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' (a sandbox RPG) and ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' (a narrative RPG).

Perhaps as a response to this, the genre has experienced a renaissance of sorts in TheNewTens. The rise of crowdfunding (and Website/{{Kickstarter}} in particular) and affordable game tech (like UsefulNotes/{{Unity}}) has allowed some veteran developers to go back and reevaluate the gameplay and story ideas that were on the table during the Golden (pre-1995) and Silver Ages (late [=90s=] to early 2000s) but have been swept under the rug as Western [=RPGs=] went down the triple-A road.

* ''VideoGame/{{Aedemphia}}'' (made with UsefulNotes/RPGMaker)

* ''VideoGame/PlanetStronghold'' (an independent 2D game with many Western RPG elements, created by Creator/WinterWolves with UsefulNotes/RenPy, released for computers in February 2011)

* ''VideoGame/YourBizarreAdventure'' (made with ''VideoGame/{{Roblox}}'')

* ''VideoGame/HarryPotterHogwartsMystery''

Then, however, FromTheAshes of the old Western RPG tradition, two phoenixes rose around 1997. One was ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'', a perky little dungeon crawler that captivated the masses with simple, action-oriented gameplay (instead of traditional turn-based) and a consistent and moody {{Gothic|Horror}} atmosphere. The other was ''VideoGame/Fallout1'', a game that profoundly changed the Western understanding of role-playing video games by focusing on a single PC's story (rather than a [[PlayerParty party]]) and on the choices the players must make, from [[CharacterCustomization building their character]] to [[StoryBranching story-shaping decisions]] to figuring out [[CombatDiplomacyStealth their path to victory]].

Then, however, FromTheAshes of the old Western RPG tradition, two phoenixes rose around 1997. One was ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'', a perky little dungeon crawler that captivated the masses with simple, action-oriented gameplay (instead of traditional turn-based) and a consistent and moody {{Gothic|Horror}} atmosphere. The other was ''VideoGame/{{Fallout|1}}'', a game that profoundly changed the Western understanding of role-playing video games by focusing on a single PC's story (rather than a [[PlayerParty party]]) and on the choices the players must make, from [[CharacterCustomization building their character]] to [[StoryBranching story-shaping decisions]] to figuring out [[CombatDiplomacyStealth their path to victory]].

On the triple-A side of the industry, the narrative RPG subgenre was, for a long time, defined by the [[DuelingGames rivalry]] between Creator/BioWare's {{cash cow franchise}}s, ''Franchise/MassEffect'' and ''Franchise/DragonAge'', and Creator/CDProjektRED's ''Franchise/TheWitcher'' games[[note]]although with CPR finishing ''The Witcher'' story arc and [=BioWare=] switching its full attention to the non-RPG ''Anthem'', the narrative subgenre has been dormant in the AAA space for some time[[/note]]. The sandbox RPG niche is dominated by Creator/{{Bethesda}}'s massive ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' and ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' franchises. Pure dungeon crawlers have largely gone out of favor with the big publishers, but Creator/{{Blizzard|Entertainment}} has made a resurgence with ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'', and ''Diablo'' clones like the ''VideoGame/{{Torchlight}}'' series still bring in the cash.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}''
** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 1}}''
** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}''

** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''

** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 4}}''

* ''VideoGame/EscapeFromHell''

* The ''VideoGame/GoldBox'' series by SSI

The Western RPG's definitions is in many ways defined to be everything that the Eastern [=RPG=] isn't; after all, before Japanese [=RPGs=] came onto the scene, all role-playing games were Western [=RPGs=]. It was the emergence and divergence of Japanese [=RPGs=] from ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' onwards that made a East/West distinction necessary. As such, the traits that define Western RPG are generally the gameplay traits featured in the original generation of [=RPGs=]; this inclues their association with [=PCs=], as the genre originated as a PC gaming genre.

The Western RPG's definitions is in many ways defined to be everything that the Eastern [=RPG=] isn't; after all, before Japanese [=RPGs=] came onto the scene, all role-playing games were Western [=RPGs=]. It was the emergence and divergence of Japanese [=RPGs=] from ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' onwards that made a distinction between Japanese-developed [=RPGs=] and Western-developed [=RPGs=] necessary.

*** ''VideoGame/Fallout4NorthernSprings

'''Western RPG''' (WRPG for short) is a subgenre of RolePlayingGames. It contrasts the JapaneseRPG (or Eastern RPG) subgenre, and was likely originally coined as a reaction to the emergence of the JRPG genre.

* ''VideoGame/{{Darkest Dungeon}}''
** ''VideoGame/{{Darkest Dungeon 2}}''

* ''VideoGame/{{FATE}}''