A role-playing video game (RPG) is a computer or video game where the player controls one or several characters, and achieves victory by completing a series of quests. A key feature of the genre is that characters grow in power and abilities, and characters are typically designed by the player. Players explore a game world, while solving puzzles and engaging in tactical combat.

These games usually have a highly developed story and setting, which is divided into a number of quests. Players control one or several characters by issuing commands, which is performed by the character at an effectiveness determined by that character's numeric attributes. These attributes increase each time a character gains a level, and a character's level goes up each time the player accumulates a certain amount of experience.

Role-playing video games borrow their genre terminology, settings and game mechanics found in early role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. However, computers do not yet have the power to simulate nonplayer characters with the skill of a human game master. Thus, role-playing video games borrow more of the core mechanics from early role-playing games without as much of the role-playing activity and character freedom.

Role-playing games have a tendency to become extremely in-depth and complicated with their levelling and skill systems. For example, the Pokemon series of games has a vast economy of users who actually use mathematical calculations and various other obscure, hidden methods (Likely originally used by the creators to support the shallower levelling) to give their Pokemon team an advantage over others. This is most commonly seen in online battle veterans.

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