I forgot to save the guy's name (he has a sheep avatar pic), but he came up with this which I like:
So disco disco would be an RPG because all points apply, whereas something like dark souls is a game WITH RPG elements, because 1st point is not applied.
I guess a game that has rpg elements applies only one or two of the above, whereas an RPG game would apply all.----- Waterproof definition of an RPG -----
RPG:
1) The outcome of an action is not determined by (physical) player skill, but by the character's stats (+RNG often).
2) There needs to be some kind of character growth/levelup/stat increase/etc.
3) You actually have to be a tangible character in the game, and the act of playing that character is the main drive of the game. Player and "avatar(s)" must be inseparable.
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So disco disco would be an RPG because all points apply, whereas something like dark souls is a game WITH RPG elements, because 1st point is not applied.