you mean toee? you had d&d rules (yes, i'm aware that some of them were broken. still i find the tb combat in toee really cool). you could talk to people and monsters, and you could kill people and monsters. you could find interesting, powerful items, or forge them. your party got stronger by gaining experience, and thus leveling up. thats rpg, atlthough very combat-oriented.
Actually I believe RPGs are more about freedom and personally choice by the player, giving the player total control and letting him do as he pleases. Basically playing a role which allows the player total freedom to do as they please.