what is a crpg vs rpg

A cRPG is a computer role-playing game, usually a video game focused on stats, party management, dialogue choices, and tactical or turn-based combat, while RPG is the broader umbrella term for role-playing games in general. In practice, people often use “RPG” to mean the wider genre, and “cRPG” to mean the more classic, computer-based style inspired by tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons.

Main difference

Term	Meaning	Typical focus
RPG	General role-playing game category	Character growth, story, choices, and progression
cRPG	Computer role-playing game	Deep stats, dialogue trees, party tactics, and strategic combat

In simple terms

If a game lets you build a character, level up, make choices, and shape the story, it is probably an RPG. If it leans especially hard into older-school, tabletop-inspired systems with lots of numbers and tactical decisions, it is usually called a cRPG.

Examples

Games often grouped as cRPGs include titles like Baldur’s Gate and Fallout, which are described as self-contained, story-driven worlds with customization and branching choices. More broadly, RPGs can also include many other styles, from action-heavy games to story-focused ones.

Quick takeaway

So the short version is: all cRPGs are RPGs, but not all RPGs are cRPGs.