Historical RPGs

[Nekohime1989]

Just curious but what is the appeal of Historical rpgs around here. They tend to have a more serious tone to them of course. I mean they did actually happen. (loosely based off actual events... or not) I'm huge fan of the Sengoku (warring states) period myself. As well as the Edo Period. Don't know enough about other history to judge world history. I also like less then accurate depictions of history that are all about mixing it up. (basically samurai champloo in a nutshell) Was wondering if that's a thing here too? I don't see many samurai RPGs like that anime.

 

[watermark]

I personally would like to see more historical rpgs too. There’s so much material: Rome, Middle Ages, American Civil War, The World Wars, ancient China, and ancient India. I actually would like to see stories of the lesser known areas: Southwest Asia, founding of the South American countries, Africa, etc. Of course they still need to be dramatized to make things interesting. To qualifiy as historical, it still has to be somewhat realistic, or at least possible. E.g. Miyamoto Musashi having a girlfriend = possible. Musashi having a magic sword and can cast fireballs = fantasy.

As for not many samurai rpgs, I think it’s more of a language and culture issue. Unless one is fluent in Japanese, it’s more difficult to learn Japan history. For example, I really like the character Kirigakure Saizo as well as the rest of the Sanada gang, but just based on english wikis and sources, it’s hard to tell which parts of him are made up and which parts are realistic. Also he is one of those people who probably didn’t exist in the first place...kinda like King Arthur say. So it’s more difficult to make a game about this person.

 

[Nekohime1989]

My thoughts too. Historical Fiction and Historical Fantasy are too different things. Of course everything back then was a lot different (supersitions where common place).

 

[Jellicoe]

I think with having a setting in fantasy compared to history as the background you can kind of suspend common sense stuff. For instance it’s plausible in a fantasy setting that four heros endowed with magic and the magical sword can save the world by defeating the demon king.

In historical setting 4 guys can’t do squat. And there are no magical swords. So it’s more implausible to make a scenario common in rpg where a party of four guys can do. Something important.

 

[Nekohime1989]

Not necessarily. Who knows may'be Musashi's sword was actually magical. You can always throw in a few aspects of the culture to match the setting. For example for a Puritan setting you could have a Witch class to represent mages and and magic. Even if their wasn't any proof such a thing existed back then. They did believe it. So it's fair game in my opinion.

 

[slimmmeiske2]

I think the reason why there aren’t a lot of historical RM games is twofold:

1. It takes a lot of time to research the setting/timeline. While you can of course go the historical fantasy route, there still needs to be some aspects/details correct or you’re just making a regular fantasy game. Also, while there are fans who don’t mind some liberal takes with the source material/known history, there are those who’ll get annoyed at mistakes you make (no matter how small they might seem to you).
2. They lack the resources to make one. While there’s a lot of resources for Sengoku/Edo Japan games, there’s not a lot for Renaissance Italy or WWI France for example.

That said I’d love if more were made, but I don’t see that happening, unless they’re medieval Europe or Sengoku/Edo Japan.

 

[gstv87]

I'd love a good Rome-era RPG, Spartacus or Game Of Thrones style.
I love me a good scene design, more so with modern graphic engines, and the best "historical" thing we've seen so far only dates back to the dark ages. I want some classic era world roaming!

 

[watermark]

@gstv87
Speaking of GOT. Didn’t ol’ George say in interviews that a lot of his stuff actually came from real history? That’s the reason they’re so interesting. Supposedly Cersei is a combination of several real queens. Much of GOT could still be told even if you took out all the magic and dragons. History can be more interesting than fiction. It was school that made it all boring. XD

@Rachnera
I admit there is a fine line between history and fantasy. It really comes down to one’s personal beliefs. And the further back the more mythological it gets. Japan has its Three Treasures and Orochi, just like Greece has gods fighting in the Trojan War. Let’s not forget the whole Creationism debate.

For me, I tend to view historical fiction with modern scientific prejudices, as in magic and the supernatural don’t play a role. What attracts me to these stories is how people solved seemingly impossible problems using only their wits and mundane resources.

 

[gstv87]

Speaking of GOT. Didn’t ol’ George say in interviews that a lot of his stuff actually came from real history?

yes, but twisted a lot to make it proprietary.

I remember my history teacher's lessons, THOSE were like watching a movie, or hearing a campfire story, those were GOT quality for sure.

 

[cthulhusquid]

I think the reason why there aren’t a lot of historical RM games is twofold:

1. It takes a lot of time to research the setting/timeline. While you can of course go the historical fantasy route, there still needs to be some aspects/details correct or you’re just making a regular fantasy game. Also, while there are fans who don’t mind some liberal takes with the source material/known history, there are those who’ll get annoyed at mistakes you make (no matter how small they might seem to you).
2. They lack the resources to make one. While there’s a lot of resources for Sengoku/Edo Japan games, there’s not a lot for Renaissance Italy or WWI France for example.

That said I’d love if more were made, but I don’t see that happening, unless they’re medieval Europe or Sengoku/Edo Japan.

The lack of resources is a huge issue. It's hard enough finding tiles for sci-fi or modern games, but historical content is almost non-existent outside of feudal Japan, like you said.

 

[Nekohime1989]

Oh yeah, I had a bad time finding future tiles. Eventually caved and went with RTP edits. Still would like some of Celianna's tiles and characters for MV though.

 

[CountofArath]

I'm a fairly massive history buff and I did enjoy Kingdom Come: Deliverance, granted it is a western action rpg instead of a traditional jrpg. Honestly I'm not really sure that I've ever played a historical jrpg but I'm think I probably wouldn't be too keen on a narrative focused game and instead want something more like Age of Gladiators. A fantasy world that is very clearly based on a real world culture and events would probably be alright.