The Ultimate Guide to Roleplaying Games: Types and Genres

Roleplaying games have been around forever, but have since increased in popularity. From tabletop roleplaying games to video RPGs, there’s a plethora of games worth exploring.

In our ultimate guide, we’ll tell you everything you should know about roleplaying games, including how they work, the most common formats, essential genres, plenty of exciting RPG examples you can try, and tools for improving your basic roleplay skills.

What Are Roleplaying Games (RPGs)?

A roleplaying game — often shortened to RPG — is a type of game where players embody a character and interact with others. It usually involves a narrative of some kind where players can play the role of a specific character as they explore their world. 

Most RPGs involve features like character creation and development, collaborative storytelling, and world-building and exploration. Of course, one thing all RPGs have in common is the roleplaying element. 

How do RPGs work?

In general, RPGs work by having players take on a character or persona and engage with others as they explore the world they’re in. However, there are so many different types of roleplay that roleplaying games can look very different depending on the type, the format, the players involved, and other factors. 

For example, some RPGs rely heavily on dice rolling to dictate what happens during your turn. Other games might include skill checks, specific combat systems, and other rules and guidelines. 

Most Common Types of Roleplaying Games

Like roleplay itself, roleplaying games are very versatile. There are so many types, formats, and genres that all yield different experiences for the players. Here are some of the most popular types of roleplaying games worth exploring, from tabletop RPGs to LARPing and video RPGs.

Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs)

The most original type of roleplaying game is called a tabletop roleplaying game or TTRPG. These are sometimes known as pen-and-paper roleplaying games. Players roleplay with dialogue and open discussion, often in-person, with this type. A player will not only speak their dialogue but they’ll also describe what they’re doing out loud. 

With tabletop roleplaying games, folks will usually rely on character sheets, dice, and storytelling to explore a shared narrative. It’s an immersive experience that lets people use their imagination to problem-solve and overcome barriers. TTRPGs are also a fun way to boost your creativity and collaboration skills.

There are tons of great examples of TTRPGs. Perhaps the most well-known, repopularized by the TV show “Stranger Things,” is Dungeons & Dragons. Other TTRPG examples include games like Call of Cthulhu, which is a horror game based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story of the same name, and Pathfinder, which is similar to D&D.

Live-action roleplaying games 

A live-action roleplaying game — often referred to as LARPing — is a type of roleplaying game where people physically portray the character they’re playing. With a TTRPG for example, players might speak and act as their character, but they usually dress in their typical, normal clothes. When participating in a live-action roleplaying game, folks typically dress up in clothes that would fit their character.

There are many genres and types of live-action roleplaying games, such as: 

• Historical LARPing, which involves acting out real historical events or fictional events set in a certain time period 
• Superhero live-action roleplay games, where the players roleplay as people with supernatural powers
• Fantasy LARPing, which involves roleplay with fantastical elements, like magic or supernatural creatures

Video roleplaying games (VRPGs)

There are also video roleplaying games or VRPGs. This category includes computer roleplaying games (CRPGs), too. This video game genre leverages roleplaying elements — like taking on a character role and making decisions that impact the VRPG storyline — to provide an in-depth roleplaying experience. Some of the most common features of VRPGs include side quests, world exploration, character development, and ethical dilemmas.

One of the most successful video roleplaying games of all time is the “Pokémon” video game franchise. “World of Warcraft” and the “Diablo” franchise are also great examples of this roleplaying game subtype.

Essential Genres, Subgenres, and Formats of RPGs

The world of roleplaying games is a vast one, and as such, there are tons of genres, subgenres, and formats players can explore. Here are the most essential types, formats, and genres of roleplaying games you should know about.

Sandbox RPGs

One of the most popular game formats is the sandbox game. A sandbox RPG gives the player lots of freedom to explore their world and in this case, enjoy roleplaying elements paired with exploratory free reign. These are often open world, meaning the player can roam freely and interact with others. This gives players more creative liberty as they can stray from whatever path they’re on instead of having a set path to follow. 

Some of the best sandbox RPGs include games like:

• “Terraria”
• “Red Dead Redemption”
• “The Sims”
• “Assassin’s Creed”
• “Fallout 4”
• “Minecraft”
• The “Grand Theft Auto” series

Tactical RPGs

Tactical RPGs encompass a very popular genre of roleplaying games that focuses on tactical strategy in a roleplaying setting. This genre lets users practice their planning, decision-making, and strategy skills through turn-based or real-time strategy.

Examples of tactical RPGs include games like:

• “XCOM 2”
• The “Fire Emblem” series
• “Valkyria Chronicles”
• “Wasteland 3”
• “Baldur’s Gate 3”

Some of these titles also cross into other genres, like fantasy RPGs. 

Massively multiplayer online RPG (MMORPG)

The main allure of massively multiplayer online RPGs (also called MMORPGs) is that you can interact with thousands of online players in real time in a virtual environment. MMORPGs can fall into a number of subgenres, like fantasy, horror, or tactical roleplaying games, so players can get a wide range of experiences. 

Common features of MMORPGs include things like:

• Economic systems where players can purchase things in-game
• Side quest and exploration opportunities
• Social interaction and communication

If you’re thinking about trying a massively multiplayer online RPG, some tried-and-true fan favorites include:

• “Guild Wars 2” and “Lost Ark,” which are both free-to-play options
• “World of Warcraft,” which delves into the fantasy side of MMORPGs
• The “Final Fantasy” series, particularly “Final Fantasy XIV,” which is another great fantasy choice

MMORPGs are great options for folks who want to practice their social skills, teamwork, and collaboration skills in a virtual environment. 

Horror RPGs

Horror is a pretty large genre, but horror RPGs are some of the most popular roleplaying games out there, and for good reason. They’re a creative option for folks who like the macabre and are looking for some suspenseful fear. No one horror RPG is the same, but they often involve plotlines where the main character has to investigate a mystery or comes face-to-face with monsters, ghosts, or other terrifying supernatural beings. 

One of the best things about horror RPGs is that they come in a wide array of formats, from tabletop roleplaying games to computer RPGs. Some of the most common horror RPGs include titles like:

• “Darkest Dungeon”
• “Omori”
• “Bloodborne” 
• “Darkwood” 
• “Pathologic”

Fantasy RPGs

Last but certainly not least, fantasy RPGs encompass some of the most successful roleplaying games of all time. This genre emphasizes fantastical elements, like side quests, magic, and mythical or supernatural creatures. There’s a pretty wide variety of fantasy RPGs, but most involve creating a character to go on an exploratory adventure to overcome evil forces. 

Some common fantasy RPG examples you might recognize include titles like: 

• Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)
• “Baldur’s Gate 3”
• “Diablo III” 
• “Pillars of Eternity” 
• “Skyrim” 
• “Elden Ring”

Improve Your Roleplaying Abilities With Yoodli

If you feel like your roleplaying abilities need some work — especially when it comes to roleplaying games like D&D — you’re not alone. Roleplaying is a skill that often takes time to develop. But there’s no easier way to improve your skills than with Yoodli. 

Yoodli is an AI-based roleplay expert and communication coach that provides roleplay environments for folks to practice their skills. Users can choose from existing roleplay scenarios or build their roleplay scenario from the ground up with Yoodli’s Builder. You can use its capabilities to practice professional skills, like negotiation or problem-solving, or to work on your creative side.

Regardless of your “why” for practicing roleplay, Yoodli takes the complexity and mystery out of roleplay. Folks can experiment with any kind of roleplay, from everyday small talk to sales roleplays and performance review simulations. You’ll also be able to personalize your AI-generated roleplay partner by choosing an existing persona or customizing one of your own. 

With Yoodli’s Builder tool, you train the AI partner however you need to. For example, if you’re trying to boost your skills for roleplaying games, you can give your AI partner all the information it needs to engage in a creative roleplay. 

Once you’re ready, Yoodli will kick off the roleplay, allowing you to engage in back-and-forth conversation in real time.

No matter what kind of roleplaying games you’re into — be it historical roleplay, fantasy RPGs, or tabletop roleplaying games — Yoodli can help take your roleplay skills to the next level. Plus, as a speech coach, it’ll give you actionable feedback and tips on how to improve your abilities. After every simulation, users get an in-depth report on how their roleplay went, including actionable insights on their listening, speaking patterns, and delivery. 

Find out more about how you can boost your skills for roleplaying games with Yoodli for free at https://yoodli.ai/.

The Bottom Line 

Whether you’re new to roleplaying games or you’re a seasoned player, a little RP practice goes a long way. There’s no better tool than Yoodli to get you and your roleplaying skills up to par, on your own time, at your own speed. 

Sources

• Forbes: “What Is A Role-Playing Game? RPG Types Explained.”
• Den of Geek: “15 Best Horror RPGs Ever.”