Technically every game where you assume role of different identity
Even Mario- unless you are italian plumber who runs around stomping mushrooms, turtles and collecting coins

But there are some boundaries of game genre that is called RPG
And no one can clearly define them, it is pure subjective decision
Few examples of border games that walks along other genres
Warcraft3- RTS with RPG elements, while Original War- RPG with RTS elements
HoMM- TBS with RPG elements while Desciples- RPG with TBS elements
Deusix:HR- FPS with RPG elements, while Deusix- RPG with FPS elements (those who can understand differences between these two games will understand difference between Hard Reset and FO3 genres)

Like I said it is hard to tell where ends "RPG with X elements" and "X with RPG elements" starts

Only you can choose for yourself

It is all up to opinion, then again this forum is bias on how they think what a RPG is because well I don't need to state the obvious.

Technically yes. c:
But RPG's as people know, gives you choice.
Let's not go down that way.

Nah, saying every game is a roleplaying game is like saying every game belongs to the Fantasy genre because it's makebelief.

RPG's have a certain definition as to what is an RPG. Some FPS's and generally most games have some form of RPG elements but not the full RPG experience you would get with something like Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy, etc.

All games are point and click games because in all games you point and click.

Final Fantasy VI, Deus Ex, Planescape: Torment, TES III: Morrowind

How many of them are RPGs? For me a RPG is a story-driven game, thus I'd say all of the above.
But does it really matter? It's like arguing over how to pronounce tomato, first world problems. <_<

Defining "RPG elements" is almost as impossible as defining "RPG" itself. You'd be caught in a loop: "RPG elements" are features from "RPG's" and "RPG's" are games dominated by "RPG elements".

RPG is a genre defined by its predecessors. Arguments about the semantics of "role-playing game" are stupid because of how vague that is.

Theoretically don't we all live on islands?

No all games aren't RPGs and no all people aren't islanders.

A similar discussion went on at great length http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1233327-what-exactly-is-an-rpg/

Why bother labeling anything at all, except for a sense of ease of communication. When I say "What's your favorite RPG" you know what sort of game I'm talking about, whether all games are truly RPGs or not. I don't care how to define it, as long as it's clear what I mean.

Maybe not in the traditional sense of making your own character, forming their personality, having skills, levels, ect. But FPSes, and most games now really, are taking on RPG aspects. Just look at the ranking system in games like CoD and Battlefield 3, and the assortment of unlocks and such. You could argue that playing the game and naturally increasing your own skill is akin to more traditional leveling skills from classic RPGs. I really wouldn't consider many FPSes RPGs (except for the rare hybrid, usually MMOFPSes) because of their lack of any real narrative or story, choice, or character progression in much sense. But there does seem to be a movement towards RPGism in the greater gaming world.

I agree with mt pelion. The original RPG was D&D. In video games, it makes sense that RPGs would be games that feature things from D&D, such as levels, quests, etc.

All games are a scripted sequence of events, ergo no game is an RPG. Remember that one enemy you have 5 ways of killing in that openworld game that provided 5 alternate quest endings? Guess what, the choice you made? That was scripted.

We can argue semantics all day, but when it comes down to brass tacks, be it The Courier, The Hero of Kvatch, or Private Noface Outtacutscene, you're donning a role. End of story.

So by that rationale, Army of Two: 40th Day is an RPG?

Why does the definition have to be debated? Isn't RPG more an idea about what a certain style of games are, so we can fit them into categories that are easily recognizable.

I'm going to start telling CoD fans that KOTOR is a great military shooter, since it has guns you know.

This is the internet, people will argue the sky is purple with pink pokadots soley because they want to pick a fight.

RPG's are about the games ability to react to the characters abilities and activities of the players choice, and the strength of the given role (its cans and cannots according to its abilities defined by the player troughout the game). Also, the more the role defines how the game plays out, the more an RPG it is -- the characterskill vs playerskill argument (playerskill is never removed, but it consists of making decisions about the activities and abilitybuilding while the character does the physical job according to his/her abilities, be it trying to persuade someone, trying to shoot a bullet through that guys lung, picking his pocket or what ever).

That's how I've understood it, and I absolutely disagree that every game can be called an RPG other than through the vaguest of definition: "Playing a role"

bah i would disagree
the angle is intelligent however rpg is usually more creative
yes, yes, still a game