Hilarious and oddly accurate criteria list from Toomanywires on how to define an RPG. So much I could quote but here’s one part:
RPGs require the use of a guidebook to finish or a dozen-page GameFAQ print off
“Who used up all the black ink?!” hollers your father. It is you. You printed off an in-depth guide for Xenogears, twice, because the first print was slightly misaligned. Wait until he discovers that you also drained the colour ink to print off some A4 art of Rinoa, Quistis and Selfie hugging. No one has ever beaten a real RPG without some kind of guide, be it home-printed or a Prima-bastard bundled with your game purchase.
Important: if the guidebook keeps urging you to visit PlayOnline, then you are playing Final Fantasy IX specifically. Final Fantasy IX is an RPG.
