Setting is one of the biggest reasons that I enjoy the role-playing genre. In my experience, no two RPGs are quite the same in terms of time and place. For example, look at Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey and Infinite Space. Each game has a completely different take on science fiction. Whereas Infinite Space adhered more closely to anime space opera, Strange Journey feels like something with much more of a sci-fi-horror theme.
RPGs in general have adhered more closely to the swords-and-sorcery model than other genres over the years. That holds true on both sides of the ocean, whether we're talking about Mass Effect or Dragon Quest, Ultima or Breath of Fire. Given that many role-playing games can trace their roots back to tabletop experiences like Dungeons and Dragons, the prevalence of fantasy backdrops is not too surprising. But when an RPG begins to branch out and truly embrace its setting, I can't help but take notice because the results are often very interesting.
On one end of the spectrum, we have Final Fantasy. Ultimately, the series is built around the aforementioned swords and sorcery, and that holds true from the first game to the last. It doesn't matter that we see guys with guns because you still see powerful magic and even more-powerful godlike creatures lurking about. While the addition of technology changes up a few things, it's still a series that wouldn't be significantly different in terms of gameplay if it were dropped into a hard-fantasy setting.
Titles like The World Ends with You and Fallout 3 are on the other end of the spectrum. These offerings would be fundamentally different if taken out of their particular contexts. Since I'm more familiar with The World Ends with You, let's discuss it in more detail. Much of the game revolves around Shibuya and its culture, from the story to the the way you interact with shops. But apart from the unique battle system, I feel like the biggest talking point is how exploration is handled.
Basically, the game lets you explore the entirety of Shibuya, and the area is accurately represented (from what I hear). At the same time though, the world is relatively self contained. The game does a good job of parceling out new places and ensuring that things don't get repetitive. You get to enjoy a degree of intimacy that's difficult to find in other experiences.
The World Ends with You also does a good job of establishing numerous background characters. You meet various shop owners, of course, but you also get to know the Tin Pin Slammer kid, the nervous salaryman, and the high-school girls. They all serve the useful function of giving the setting a face. Rolling with the characters becomes much easier when they start waxing poetic about the "pulse of Shibuya" because you feel like you've gotten to know the city and its people so well yourself.
Going back to Strange Journey, I think I have an easier time buying into the setting than I do with most other titles because the game goes out of its way to ensure that everything makes sense. Even random elements like healing springs and save points are explained at some length, which only intensifies the exploration of this strange and terrifying world outside of the ship. Atlus could have gone a bit further than the generic gun-and-sword combination with the weapons, but at least what's there generally makes sense in context.
These are just a few examples of how the creative use of a setting can influence the character of a given RPG. Role-playing releases that make clever use of their environments can be vastly different from one another. Strange Journey, Infinite Space, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic are rooted in science fiction, but each one offers a wholly unique experience.
I would like to see RPGs continue exploring a variety of worlds, whether they're inspired by a grim, sci-fi inspired future, an icy landscape, or the modern world. I see nothing wrong with a good fantasy RPG like Dragon Age, but why limit yourself when you can reach for the sky? I hope we'll get to enjoy as many RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles in our future as ones like Fallout 3.
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