Steam has the CRPG Tag
GameFaqs has the Console RPG and Computer RPG sections etc
First of all, these genres names are created in internet discussions and there’s really nothing set on stone, so different people have different notions about both. So this post is about mine.
Back in the 90s, kinda on the snes era where stuff like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy were already big series, rpgs that were released on pc and on console were really different. While in the console you have a more acessible approach, with simpler, combat focused systems, rpgs released on pc was more focused on trying to mimic the actual table top RPG, with roleplay focused stats, focus on character creation and the overall idea of being a simulation of the “real deal”. On gamefaqs they were (Still is i guess?) Called Console RPGs and Computer RPGs.
Nowadays you have both styles on PC and console at the same time, so this definition is kind of obsolete already. But even so, these more complex, roleplay focused games, are still being called Crpgs, while console rpgs are nowadays known as Jrpgs.
What you would see in a Crpg most of the time:
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Character creation
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Some stats that have no use in actual combat
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The idea that you can complete your mission in less violent ways, like talking your way out, stealth etc…
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Character dialogues with lots of option chains
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More freedom for building your character
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Systems that try to simulate reality
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More open narrative, to blend better with the roleplay aspect
What you would see in Jrpgs most of the time:
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Well defined playable characters
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Every stat is directly or indirectly meant for combat
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The system will resolve into completing quests with combat, unless it’s a scripted setpiece
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Dialogues are linear most of the time, like in a movie or comic
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It tends to have guided character progressions, with some skill trees here and there, but mostly with well defined combat roles
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Systems don’t give a shit about reality simulation. They are abstract more often than not, and focus on being engaging and fun.
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More linear narrative, that blends better with the authoral characters