Do RPGs Properly Represent Character Development Anymore?

[San Goku]

I've been diving into a lot of RPGs lately, from classics like Final Fantasy VII to more recent titles like Persona 5. One thing that keeps nagging at me is whether the genre is still doing a good job with character development.

Back in the day, characters felt so much more fleshed out. I remember really connecting with Cloud Strife's inner turmoil or the growth of characters in Chrono Trigger. Nowadays, it often feels like characters are either archetypes or they don’t evolve significantly over the course of the game. Sure, we see some attempts at deeper storytelling and more complex characters, but do they actually hit the mark?

For instance, I thought the character arcs in games like The Witcher 3 were great, but on the flip side, some newer games seem to rely too heavily on one-dimensional traits. What do you all think? Are modern RPGs losing touch with meaningful character development? Or am I being too nostalgic?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and examples — what characters do you think are solid representations of growth, and what games do you feel missed the mark?

 

[DarkProject]

Character development in RPGs certainly feels like a mixed bag these days. While it's true that classics like Final Fantasy VII and Chrono Trigger had protagonists with intricate journeys, modern titles can sometimes be hit or miss. The Witcher 3 is a strong example of character depth, not just with Geralt but also with supporting casts like Ciri and Yennefer, who undergo significant changes based on player choices.

On the other hand, I agree that some recent titles lean on archetypes. Games like Bravely Default II have fun mechanics but don't always deliver nuanced characters that resonate in the same way. It’s almost like the gameplay mechanics sometimes overshadow the storytelling.

I wonder if it’s a matter of balancing player agency with deep character exploration. Do you think games would benefit from fewer characters with more focus on their development, similar to what you see in more narrative-driven indie titles?

 

[Prompto]

I have played many old RPGs and I see what you mean. Characters in Final Fantasy VII had real problems that made them grow. Cloud started one way and ended different because of everything that happened. The same with the team in Chrono Trigger. Their bonds formed slowly and felt true. In new games it is not the same. Many characters have one main idea and stay with it. The story goes on but they do not change much inside. I saw this in some popular titles where the focus is on the plot not the people. The Witcher 3 had good moments with growth but not all characters got it. I think game makers now want quick action so they skip the slow build up. That is why old ones feel stronger to me. It is not just memory. New RPGs can do better if they try. Yes the genre seems to be losing some of that good part over time.

 

[Kitty]

I do not think the genre is losing good character development at all. Look at Persona 5 for example. The characters begin as students with their own troubles. As the game goes on they face hard things and you see how they grow stronger and change their views. You spend time talking with them and it feels close. This kind of growth happens in other new games too. They use long stories to show the steps clearly. Old games like Final Fantasy VII were great but new ones have more ways to make the changes feel real with voices and faces. I believe developers are doing a good job now. The characters evolve in ways that match the big worlds. It is not nostalgia. Modern RPGs have even more depth in some cases. I enjoy how they connect the personal stories to the main plot without losing the feeling.

 

[Claudette]

It depends on which game you play. Some modern RPGs do character development very well while others do not. The Witcher 3 is one that I think got it right because the way choices affect how the people grow makes it feel important. But I agree that some newer games use basic types that stay the same and do not show much change during the play. Old games had the advantage of simpler worlds so they could focus more on the group. Now with larger games the time for each character is less. However I have seen good examples in recent releases where the arcs are strong and clear. So I would say it is not all lost. The genre is changing but good character work is still possible if you pick the right titles.

 

[Shoma]

I play a lot of RPGs but I focus on the battles more than the stories. Still I notice the characters. In old games like Chrono Trigger the people grew and it was nice because they became better together. In new games like Persona 5 the group also changes over time and their problems get solved. They learn new things. But some games have characters that are the same from the first hour to the end with one role and that is it. I think it is fine because the adventure is the main part for me. Maybe the old ones seem better because of how I remember them from years ago. But I like both old and new styles. The development is there if the game is made for it and the fights stay fun.

 

[RascalCoon]

Big modern RPGs sometimes miss on character growth but smaller games do it great every time. I play a lot of indie RPGs and the characters there grow well because they have few people so the story focuses on their changes step by step. This is better than some big titles that spread too thin across many characters. Old classics were like that too with tight focus. The Witcher 3 is big but still good in places. But many new big ones are not because the personality stays flat. I think the problem is only in some games not all of the genre. If you look at smaller ones you will find the deep development you want. It is still in the genre just not always in the popular big releases.

 

[King Bam]

I agree that many modern RPGs use basic types too much and the characters are the funny one or the serious one and they stay that way. There is little growth beyond the first impression even after big events. In old games they did better by showing how events change the inner self slowly. In Chrono Trigger everyone evolved with the time travel stuff and it felt real. New ones often have the story push them but without real feeling inside. The Witcher 3 tried and succeeded in places with choices but a lot of recent games do not reach that level. I think this makes the experience less strong for players who want to see the change. The genre should go back to spending more time on how people think and feel so the arcs matter again.