#genreclassification

The genre of 'Action RPG' is notoriously tricky to navigate, as the term can mean different things to different people. In my view, titles like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile are 'ARPGs', which stands for 'Action RPG'. However, games like Zelda also fall under the 'Action RPG' umbrella, presenting a different flavor of the genre that could, if one chose, also be abbreviated to 'ARPG'. To clarify: ARPGs and ARPGs are distinct categories, both categorized as Action RPGs. Got it? Great! This confusion is exactly why I’m not entirely taken aback by Rod Fergusson, the head of the Diablo franchise, recently suggesting that we should start referring to games similar to Diablo as 'Diablo-likes'. It’s amusing to see him propose this, as it carries an air of linguistic colonialism, implying that these games are "like the one I make, but not quite as good." "Feels like the genre of 'ARPG' is starting to mean a lot of different things," Fergusson tweeted. "Much like 'Souls-like' and 'Rogue-like', I wonder if we could normalize 'Diablo-like' for ARPGs that follow the Diablo formula…" This statement sparked quite a debate in the comments section, but given the current climate on social media, anything from discussing your breakfast to acknowledging diverse identities can ignite controversy. One concern that resonates with me is that Fergusson’s suggestion positions the Diablo series as a sort of archetype, implying a level of quality that many believe it no longer holds, despite the original games undeniably shaping what we now consider a genre. In the midst of this discourse, let me step in to clarify: If it’s an RPG that features action similar to what you’d find in an action game, it’s an 'Action RPG' (ARPG for short). Conversely, if it’s an action game infused with RPG elements, that too qualifies as an 'ARPG', or 'Action RPG'. However, neither of these definitions accurately describes Diablo, which features demons and is, therefore, more akin to a Doom Clone. Read the full article