Topic: Favorite Aspect of an RPG?

Sup, everyone!
When it comes to RPG's there are a plethora of things that engage the player. One of the most prominent aspects of any such game for me would be the soundtrack. If I'm bouncing to the beat of intense battle music or swaying side to side in an overworld theme, I'm usually enjoying the game as well. Also, (please don't shoot me! >.<) I'm a fan of the turn-based RPG. I like having the ability to plan your next attack. However! That DOESN'T mean that I don't enjoy action RPG's! I especially loved TWEWY's combat system.

So, how about you guys? What is YOUR favorite aspect of an RPG? It can be an overall concept or a specific aspect of a game (ex: Final Fantasy Victory Theme...Love it! )

I like it when you can do new things as you grow, ie "charizard learned flamethrower" or "pikachu is evolving", it gives me a sense of acomplishment to learn new things as i grow, and its even better when its not just a new spell but something totally different like a pokemon move, or the ability to double jump or something. and its nice when someone does something different with it. as much as an rpg fan as i am, i get bored of playing many diffirent FF clones.

The action.
_{Of an Action RPG, of course.}

Getting stuff from battles, not the plain boring old EXP and GOLD.

I like things like catching pokemon, recruiting monsters in some of the DQs, getting AP to learn skills in FFT games, or even not having levels but gaining stats depending upon your actions like in FF2 or Contact.

The role playing.
_{I suppose being a game gets in there too by default.}

party building. i HATE losing party members all the time in the middle of the game (FFIV). i LOVE being able to get new characters and watch them grow and form an unstoppable team that is just the definition of "ballin'." (Fire Emblem)

Oh yeah, I also forgot to mention...
I love that feeling of total dominance. You know, the feeling you get when you obtain an awesome weapon or piece of armor, and all of your guys are high leveled? You're always like "Aw YEAH! I'm unstoppable!"
...Then a giant baddie comes out of nowhere and stops you...

RPGs usually have large worlds to explore. That is the best part.

Taking on bosses even though I'm underleveled for the challenge. (Pokemon 1337 four)
I also like trying out new moves that one of my party members learn. (Chrono Trigger)
Omigosh you mentioned TWEWY. I love you now.

Summoning something for the first time is always a cool moment for me, which goes back all the way to Golden Sun and that first Judgment summon.

I still get chills with that one. :3

That entire game was just fun to watch.
I remember one time in FFV when this one guy had to go rescue the rest of his party member and I had him set to berserker. Haha, I had no control in battles, but he still owned the boss (with his death imbued axe ). Great feeling of accomplishment...which is funny because I did nothing...

Don't I know it. :3 That particular summon just sticks out in my mind a little more, due to how long it took me first-go-round to get all the Venus Djinn required for it. I was elated, and fired the thing up, and then...

_{he just blew up the entire world with his lionhead laser gun}

I love a good old-fashioned turn-based combat system. No active time stuff.

I love RPGs with good stories like Golden Sun, Lost Odessy, and FF6.
RPGs that have lots of optional side quests.

Exploration and charming characters, and usually some sort of gameplay hook. Strategy, character customization, and a good, well-paced story are also rather important, but since most people tend **** those up, especially the pacing, I've decided I won't bother making them requirements. Really, it just has to have enough charm and a decent hook to keep me going.

The Humor. That's why the Mario & Luigi series is so awesome.

I agree wholeheartedly with dragoon and digiki. Those were some of the things i forgot to mention.
And TWEWY rocks!

I like being able to build my character how I want to and being able to affect the story not only by actions I take in the field, but also by options I choose when talking to NPCs. Games like KOTOR, Dragon Age and Morrowind were all excellent in the amount of choices that you were presented and the number of options you have when making your choices, each option having a different effect on the game.

For example in KOTOR, many of your NPC interactions as well as what side quests you accepted effected whether your character swayed to the light side or dark side of the force. Depending on what side you swayed to, you would have access to different force abilities for your character. Also, a key decision near the end of the game changes how the story ultimately plays out.

In Dragon Age, your decisions affect the approval ratings of your party members, piss them off to much and they will leave the party. Also, much of the game is spent recruiting allied forces for the climatic battle. For each of these factions, the decisions you make determines whether or not the faction ultimately joins your cause.

Finally, in Morrowind you can even choose not to play through the main story arc and instead play through many of the factions in the game, each with their own story. Not only that, there are many rare items hidden in caves and dungeons through out the world that you would never come across if you just went from mission to mission and never too time to explore. And thats why I like this RPG. Because if you want to play the hero who slays the evil god, you can. If you would rather be a mage who only wishes to rise to the top position in the mages guild and snuff out the Great House Telvanni, you can do that. Or you choose to be a treasure hunter and explore the games countless dungeons and caves for rare and powerful items. All of these options, plus many more are perfectly viable ways to play and enjoy the game. Nothing like a little create your own story RPG. Since that is what the very first pen and paper RPGs were all about. Creating your own adventures and stories.

I used to play a ton of RPG's but have grown tired of them for the most part. My favorite part of JRPG's were to level up. Favorite part about a WRPG was to create my character. Games like KOTOR showed cosmetic difference in outfits and weaponry which made the game a lot more interesting. Also a game a few people may like called Jade Empire had a great story.

The characters and their role in the story.