That depends on if it's really an RPG to begin with. Most RPG these days...are just character spreadsheets. You're not really playing a role. You're playing with numbers. In order to be considered a RPG it needs to actually make me care about my character.. not about how much strength my character has, or how much vitality. or what items he has equipped. I mean, would you consider a game like Civilization...as a RPG? why not? It's basically an RPG only your character is a city (group of cities) You're leveling them up, choosing stats (Buildings) etc. The game industry as a whole is confused as to what playing a Role really means. This is part of the reason Bethesda removed alot of those aspects from Skyrim. So that people could actually finally get an RPG instead of a game where you're trying to squeeze out maximum numbers from the spreadsheet. TL:DR Fantasy setting + Leveling =/= RPG But yes, I do get into RPG games that are worthy of my attention. There's only been a small handful of them though. Deus Ex Mass Effect. ETC. I'm sorry but, Elder Scrolls is still too generic and incapable of creating a story that makes me care about my character as of yet. In my opinion, games like Tomb Raider, Prince of Persia, Mirrors Edge have more RPG to them than most. Because it puts your in their shoes and makes you play that Role, it makes you care about that character.