4 Aspects About Retro Role Playing Video Games A Newbie Should Know

Posted on: 7 September 2017

If you have never played a retro role playing game (RPG) made for the classic consoles of yesteryear, there are a few things you should know before you start off. While most RPGs, either modern or retro, have the same concept of assuming the role of a protagonist or hero in a fantasy world, the retro RPGs differed somewhat in game play and other elements. If you can access these classic games again, and would like to familiarize yourself with the aspects, here are 4 particulars you might find interesting:

1. Retro RPGs Incorporated a Combat System That Differs From Most Modern Games

Modern role playing games incorporate an active time battle or action based combat. However, most of the retro RPGs from the 90s employed what is referred to as a turn based battle system. As the name suggests, a turn based role playing video game plays out in turns. That is, the main hero (along with his or her assembled team) and the opposing enemy side will take turns to initiate a combat move.

For example, this may be a physical attack, a magic spell or a healing spell. With turn based combat, the player has time to plan his or her action, and the emery will not attack until command is set (typically by pressing an assigned action button). Conversely, many modern RPGs use an active time battle system rather than the "wait" or turn based combat. This means enemies do not have to wait their turn and can attack as the player plans a n action. If you are new to RPGs, a retro or classic game might be a good place to start, because you can use strategy and plan out your next move without having the enemies attack you while you think about what action to take.

2. Way Back When, Retro RPG Characters Were 2D Sprites

Unlike modern role playing games set in an intricate 3D background, the retro games used tiny 2D sprites comprised of bitmap graphics. Sprites, which are set in a a larger background environment are actually pixel art created digitally. Nowadays, many people actually enjoy the nostalgic graphics of the retro games and its charming environment. For those who prefer art style in favor of realism, the retro role playing games hit just the right note.

3. Character Classes and Development Are Prominent in Retro RPGs

Those who have never played a role playing game before, past or present, should know about character development and classes from which to choose from. Many of the old time retro RPGs featured various character classes or occupations that could be selected from the start of the game or as the story progressed. For instance, your team might consist of one warrior, a mage or magic spell caster, a healer, a thief and more. When you assemble a group of characters from diverse classes, you typically have a well rounded team which gives you an advantage

4. Most Retro Role Playing Games Do Not "Auto Save" the Game Progress

If you are a gamer that has played modern day rol,e playing games, you may be familiar with the concept of auto saving your progress. This simply means that the computer will save your progress at various stages, when you have completed a particular task, have upgraded your weapon, etc. However, a favorable aspect in the old school or retro classic RPG is the ability to choose when to save your game progress.

In a retro RPG, saving your progress often meant the character could save progress while playing out in the filed or by visiting a church or temple. You may also have had the option of resurrecting a fallen character. Choosing when to save your game progress and saving often is an essential aspect when playing retro classic role playing games.

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