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Role-playing games (RPGs) are as fundamental to video games' identity as sports and racing titles.
Starting way back in the day with simple text based MUDs (multi-user dungeons), RPGs have been incarnated and published for every console from the Commodore 64 up to iOS. With the next generation of consoles nearly upon us, you can expect the envelope to be pushed even further in terms of scope and vision for the RPG genre.
Before that though, perhaps a reminder of where the genre came from and how much further role-playing games can be taken. Remember if RPGs aren't your thing you can always just hang it up and join a Fantasy Football League or start LARPing (live-action role-playing) like these guys. Read on for 20 of the Greatest Old School Role-Playing Games Ever Made
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The Diablo series.
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Shadowrun
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The Fallout series.
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The Dragon Warrior series.
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The Legend of Dragoon
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The Ultima series.
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Wasteland
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The Breath of Fire series.
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Secret of Mana
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Super Mario RPG
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The Suikoden series.
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The Shining Force series.
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Terranigma
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The Phantasy Star series.
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The Baldur's Gate series.
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Chrono Trigger
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Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
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Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series
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Planescape: Torment
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The Final Fantasy series.
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