What is the greatest role playing video game ever made, and why?

Wow - this is a great question. I think the best I have played for many reasons is Bards Tale - the original.

It came out for the PC 15 years (or more) ago. It essentially was a 3D maze with 'encounters' but it did have a storyline.

What sets it aside for me was the fact that it was one of the first games to bring the good old 'rpg' to the computer. It was strangely addictive, and while the graphics weren't great, the gameplay was very good.

It really was a geeks first love LOL

I would say that i'm a fan of the classic rpgs and Faxanadu for the Nintendo NES gets my vote. It is a highly complex game that takes place in a almost "middle earth" setting.

Where there is a tree that supplies the whole world with life and the fountains that water this tree have dried up and its up to you to save the world by battling your way through to finding the cause of it.

If you haven't played it i would definitely recommend it. You can find it in rom form or if you have an nes ebay would be a good place to look.

As far as modern, circa new millenium, I have to go with Bioware's Mass Effect. It was huge, artistic, creative, and crisp. It came with a thick story line that branched out with your decisions. It contained several elements critical to role playing: action, mystery, love story, and drama. On a science truth level, the creators did a great job describing world's accurate to astronomy and astrophysics. Also there were few bugs and glitches to the gain. The only negetive I found was no multiplayer to it.

As far as pre 2000 best game I would have to go with the original Legend of Zelda, or Ocarina of Time.

i agree with fred sadge! fallout is the best game i have ever played, i have already completed the main, storyline mission and have still been playing for a couple of months,the game seems unlimited and as soon as i think i might get bored, i discover somthing new.

I don't know the best ever. but i found gordon freeman of half life is the best.

That can be tough.

For the most engrossing and complex story: I would go with Xenogears for the PS1.

You could list any Bioware game, but Mass Effect for its beauty and innovation, Baldur's Gate 2 for its lasting appeal, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for allowing everyone to really experience being a jedi. Oh, and all Bioware games have that great "Moral-meter" factor. Don't forget to check out Dragon Age: Origins coming out soon too, will be a hit.

Call me crazy, but in Final Fantasy terms, I go with FFVIII and FFX. Just loved the stories.

All time best though? Probably Xenogears. Just loved it.

My vote.... Fallout 3 . The graphics and the physics are awesome, the world is completely detailed and open to explore, the story was unique and there are many characters, guns, armor, missions, etc.

There is a new Fallout coming out in 2010 called Fallout: New Vegas. I am hoping that they don't stray to far from the last with the game play and feel. I can't wait!