Overview
Your character, your choices. Western RPGs descend from tabletop Dungeons & Dragons—games where players create characters and shape stories through decisions. Unlike JRPGs’ authored protagonists, WRPGs emphasise blank-slate customisation. Ultima established the template; Baldur’s Gate refined it; Elder Scrolls maximised freedom; Mass Effect blended authored narrative with player agency. The genre values systems over spectacle.
Fast facts
- Origins: Tabletop RPGs (1974).
- Key studios: BioWare, Bethesda, Obsidian.
- Philosophy: Player agency first.
- Contrast: JRPG’s authored heroes.
Defining characteristics
| Element | Expression |
|---|
| Character creation | Define your hero |
| Choice consequence | Decisions matter |
| Open exploration | Non-linear paths |
| Systemic gameplay | Interacting rules |
Historical lineage
| Era | Key titles |
|---|
| 1980s | Ultima, Wizardry |
| 1990s | Baldur’s Gate, Fallout |
| 2000s | Morrowind, KOTOR |
| 2010s | Skyrim, Witcher 3 |
WRPG vs JRPG
| Western | Japanese |
|---|
| Created protagonist | Defined protagonist |
| Real-time/tactical | Turn-based |
| Moral ambiguity | Good vs evil |
| Systems focus | Story focus |
Sub-genres
| Type | Example |
|---|
| Isometric CRPG | Baldur’s Gate |
| First-person open world | Elder Scrolls |
| Action RPG | Diablo |
| Story-driven | Mass Effect |
Modern state
| Trend | Expression |
|---|
| CRPG revival | Kickstarter renaissance |
| AAA polish | Bethesda, BioWare |
| Indie innovation | Disco Elysium |
| Hybrid forms | Action-RPG blending |
See also