FUNDAMENTALS OF GAME DESIGN, SECOND EDITION
Adventure Games
Like adventure games, CRPGs often have rich storylines with highly detailed characters. Both types of games also involve a lot of exploration. However, in modern adventure games the player's avatar is a highly specific character provided by the game, whereas most CRPGs allow the player to define his own avatar or party of characters. Adventure games also tend to concentrate on one character, not a party of them. Adventure games traditionally offer puzzles rather than combat challenges, and their characters are seldom defined by numeric attributes as in CRPGs.
If any character growth occurs in adventure games, it is of a personal or psychological nature rather than in numerically measured abilities such as strength, speed, and dexterity. CRPGs have a complex internal economy, and much of the growth that takes place consists of increasing these numbers.
The Final Fantasy games could be considered hybrids of CRPG and adventure. Battles are turn-based, requiring no action skills, and they have some of the most vivid stories and most beloved characters of any games made.
