Are many games that are not said RPG role games?

I'm playing this very good CIV-like Age of Wonders Planetfall and I say that I'm sure playing the role of some future commander of unknown galaxies.

So why it's not said a role game?

Even playing Doom 4, I say you take the role of someone.

The line is fairly thin to be sure. I guess it's probably defined where you can make story-based choices that will affect the outcome.

So in Doom, you're pretty much just a guy who shoots stuff. Sure it's a role, but you can't really make any meaningful changes to how the story plays out.

I'm not familiar with Age of Wonders Planetfall though so I couldn't comment on that.

@gmak2442: Over-trivialising it don't you think?

RPGs in gaming all function following basic rules to popular tabletop games/ fantasy novels from way back in the 70's. Most notable being Dungeons and Dragon's.

RPGs are about mathematically building a characters stats, skills, even cosmetics. Though really varies from game to game how much they use each feature.

Sure you fill a role but I think that's undermining what RPG offer in comparison to say a First Person Shooter or Real Time Strategy.

Semantics, indeed.

RPG is very broad term. You can easily argue most games belong in the RPG genre, but then it becomes less useful. When I think of RPG, I think:

• Emphasizes dialog and character building, typically you spend some time out of combat for this (I consider this the RP)
• Usually a party-based adventure
• Stats that determine how your characters interact with the world and other NPCs or players
• An inventory of items which you may have to manage and trade

I'm a fan of the tag system myself. The order of the tags indicates their importance.

Age of Wonders: 4X, Strategy, Turn-based

Dark Souls: Action, Adventure, RPG

Final Fantasy: RPG, Turn-based

Quake: FPS, Action, Arena Shooter

Of course none of what I say matters and you can certainly think about it however you like.

Thanks for the answers.

Because roleplaying games are defined by mechanics, not by any actual roleplaying. That's why Animal Crossing is a simulation game and not a roleplaying game.

Remember, video game categories simply define what mechanics are involved.

Exactly, genres are designed to make it easier finding the criteria of similar gaming experiences.

(Example) 2D Fighting Games- Street Fighter II, Guilty Gear Xrd, Blazblue: CTB, The King of Fighters XIII, and Mortal Kombat; would be some noteworthy mentions

Here's the test: does the game allow you to not play the role the way the plot suggests you should, and does that choice significantly affect the events? If so, it's a role-playing game.