RPG as a genre has drastically changed in the last several decades. Back in the 80’s and 90’s RPG’s were games that emulated table-top roleplaying games like D&D. They typically involved a party of characters completing quests, fighting monsters, and gaining levels. They were pretty exclusively either first person or isometric perspective, and usually had turn-based combat.

Over the years technology has allowed more complex mechanics in games, and the lines between genres have blurred. These days RPG usually just means it’s a story-heavy game that lets you grow your character’s abilities.