What about SaGa 2 (Final Fantasy Legend 2), when played with a party of 4 Robots? (In that game, which has turn based combat, different races have different rules for growth, and Robots, in particular, have their stats solely determined by equipment.)

Also, I should point out that there are RPGs where growth isn't "individualized" as you describe it. Dragon Quest 1 and 2, for example. Also, Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (though that game has some interesting mechanics that aren't obvious, like the fact that Life acts as an instant death spell on enemies).

Also, what about Gradius (and similar games), where you get to control how your ship powers up?

Yup, Terranigma does have a levelling up system, though stat assignments are completely automated, the player has no input in that -- and they are randomly assigned, for better or worse, every time you level up. You only get to add/subtract strength and defense points by changing weapons and equipment and, sometimes, you raise your HP, STR, DEF or LCK when you find Life, Strength, Defense or Luck potions.

Personally, I think it's an RPG, it was more of a disclaimer on my part, since most of the hardcore RPG purists (who abound in the GOG Forums) have a very strict and close-minded idea of what a "true" RPG is.

Well, I suppose there are other aspects of RPGs that I didn't explicitly discuss that may help define my position. For example, when I say "RPG" I usually think of multiple, co-occurring features of the genre that exist within a single game, such as a system of stat/level growth, player interaction with npc characters, equip-able items/armor/weapons, and the option to engage in side quests that are tangential to the main story line.

Nevertheless, you bring up several good points. Specifically, I had never considered the possibility of that a game might exist in which combat is turn based but leveling is irrelevant to play. However, I would wager a bet that playing SaGa 2 with four robots is quite the exception and doesn't necessarily define the game's genre as I outlined above. As a result, a playthrough of SaGa 2 with four robots might be less than typical (and somewhat contrary to RPG conventions), but not necessarily indicative of the game's genre. Therefore, I recognize that the term "RPG" does encompass several related, though not necessarily essential features of a certain type of game.

As for Gradius... well, I'd say what you'd described is more along the lines of "customization" rather than "individualization" insofar as role-play is involved. After all, I can certainly customize the Vic Viper to fit my play style, but I could never truly "role-play" in the conventional sense. In this case, I think it's best to rely on more common-sense notion of what a game's genre might entail (If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck...).

Of course, there's always the more confusing situation in which games begin to cross or bend genres. Case in point: Sigma Star Saga -- a shmup-RPG hybrid. I mean, how the heck would you characterize that game?


That's understandable, though I still think the term "RPG" is rather subjective. Of course, what makes conversation fun is the difference of opinion!

In all honesty though, I started this thread because I wanted to learn more about RPGs with unique and fun enemies!

Well, then, here you have the entire <span class="bold">list of Terranigma enemies</span>!

(I still maintain the Huball is the flagship monster, though)

I just saw this thread and came on it to say:

One of the most memorable for me has always been a grue, but I don't have any idea what one looks like!!!

Etrian Odyssey: Ragelope. This is the first F.O.E. that the player encounters in the first game. Also, the F.O.E.'s out-of-battle appearance could be considered iconic for the original DS entries of the series.

Non-RPGs have iconic enemies as well:

Super Mario Bros.: Koopas. Land on these enemies (which look like turtles) and they turn into a shell, collide into the shell and you will kick it, killing any enemies (and possibly Mario!) that they collide with.

Castlevania: Medusa Heads. Fly in a wavy pattern and can be hard to avoid (especially while jumping across gaps). In the classicvania entries, getting knocked into a pit, causing you to lose a life. In the metroidvanias, some medusa heads will petrify you, preventing you from moving (and possibly getting other enemies to hurt you).

Mega Man series: Mettaurs. These enemies hide under their hats, making them invincible. Every now and then, they raise their hats in order to attack (and are briefly vulnerable). (Are there any weapons that can kill Mettaurs when they're hiding under their hats?) Mega Man 9 uses a variant of this enemy as a funny (but non-fatal) trap late in the game.