Console Japanese style RPGs like Final Fantasy and Grandia, etc, they mostly emphasize on story. But in doing so, they sacrifice freedom in character growth (Leveling and stuff). It mostly consists of menus and menus rather than free open battles.
Computer American style RPGs like Diablo, MMORPGs, and Neverwinter Nights, are all about character development through stats and numbers rather than having a full fledge story. This gives the player the highest amount of freedom to their character but at the same time, it’s so open that there is no story about your character specficially. Instead, you have to make it up on your own.
The state of RPGs now though, there is a blur between the lines of Computer and Console style. While it can be a good thing, there are those who rather just have one and not the other.
I favour Japanese RPGs, all in all. There is a difference between Western and Japanese style RPGs, a big one I think. So to answer your question, ziggypop, I care… Because when I say "I like RPGs," the statement is ambiguous. Like HanhKnight described, there are different kinds of RPGs, different definitions, maybe, and Final Fantasy does not fit in many. 🙂
FF is an RPG, it’s not Diablo, it’s Neverwinter Nights, it’s not Morrowind… but they are RPGs too… but of a different kind.