Do you like RPG formulas on sports games?

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I personally love the idea of leveling up my players and prioritizing different stats to get a very unique experience each and every time I start a new game or draft/trade for someone to add to my squad.

It really does breathe new life into otherwise same-y experiences and prevents games from getting boring fast, which is a huge plus for me.

My only complaint is that it took a rather long time for this to be a thing across many platforms and franchises, to the point where I don't recall a single Genesis game having this feature.

Nowadays, though? I couldn't do without -- it really is that important for my enjoyment!

What about you?

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

I think it depends for me. I would prefer it to be mostly an RPG and minimal on the sports aspect.

My main example being Inazuma Eleven. I know next to nothing about soccer, but collecting new players and levelling them up. Having them learn and power up new Dragon Ball-esque special moves is so much fun. Also, the DS stylus and touch screen is the best way to play those games.

I don't really want a simulation sports game with some light RPG mechanics tacked on. I feel like a few games these days add light RPG mechanics to stretch out their runtime as opposed to making more genuine and enjoyable RPGs.

 

[bjork]

I like it in Konami's mobile baseball game, because you can increase their level and their special techniques, and when you can see a noticeable difference due to putting the time into boosting that stuff, it's really satisfying.

 

[RageBurner]

When the actual gameplay is stat influenced, but not stat dependent, then yes. A good example of this would be Mario Golf Advance: you have statistics to account for when designing a player but skill is still the determining factor.

If it's based SOLELY on stats, a-la FF10's Blitzball, then no, I'd rather play an RPG at that point.

 

[JustLooking123]

I love it when it's implemented in a good way!
Captain Tsubasa 2-5 games for nes and snes are among my favorites!
I also loved Mario Tennis for GBA!

It depends on our expectations too...
If we are playing a game mainly for the action side of it, the RPG elements can be hindering...
And if RPG side of it is the main appeal for us, the gameplay might be the hindering part for us.

 

[NotReallyHere]

My only complaint is that it took a rather long time for this to be a thing across many platforms and franchises, to the point where I don't recall a single Genesis game having this feature.

Hmmm...

While I'm sure there must be something on the Genesis with a similar feature, the first two games I can remember to allow you to "level up" your athletes were Baseball Stars and Ring King, both for the NES. Base Wars let you power up your players, too, but I believe this was only through spending cash for better parts.

Baseball Stars and Base Wars allowed for saving the game to the cartridge, whereas Ring King forced you to use a password. And getting more stat points for your boxer took forever! Bleh. Go with the baseball games, any day

But, yes, I do love it when games let you make a team more or less from scratch. I lost many hours to the Fight Night games because of how addictive it was to power up your created boxers. Blitz: The League and Mutant Football League are also both recent-ish games with this feature, and two that I likewise adore. The fact that they openly lampoon my least-favorite sport to watch is just the icing on the cake

 

[Boofytan]

World Court Tennis has an actual rpg mode, complete with towns and random encounters.

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

I really enjoyed progressing my character in Fight Night 3 way back when, increasing stats and taking on better opponents.

That being said, my favorite boxing games are Punch-Out/Super Punch-Out, so I suppose it depends on the game itself.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

RPG as in character stats? I mean in every sports you have people that are better in one thing or another (like power, speed, precision). Or you mean JRPG-like battles like the Captain Tsubasa games?

That being said, my favorite boxing games are Punch-Out/Super Punch-Out, so I suppose it depends on the game itself.

If "Punch-Out 4" had a side mode where you evolve some of the stats (like endurance, hook speed or even the star power) it could be interesting to see (as long as the main game is still an arcade experience).

See World Tour in SFA3 console or the single player mode in Air Riders.