I lve story-based games with player power-ups, growing, etc. I could never get into games like Final Fantasy though and other RPGs specifically because of the turn-based combat, instead of real-time "actual" combat ala Zelda. Does anyone prefer the turn-based combat over the actual combat?

I wouldn't say I prefer it, but I equally enjoy it. If done right, both are enjoyable.

I prefer turn based, but I like both.

ditto.

I grew up playing Dragon Warrior 1 & 2 and Final Fantasy on the NES, as well as tons of RPGs on the Genesis: Phantasy Star II & III, Sword of Vermillion, Shining in the Darkness, etc. I find that I still prefer this style of RPGs to the newer blends of action and RPG.

I still greatly prefer turn based to real time. Thats what I grew up playing and I still find it more fun.

I prefer turn based.
If I'm going to play 'real time', I'll play an 'action adventure' type game.
But turn based RPGs are my favorite games, and I never really got into 'real time' action/RPGs [except for Diablo and the console Baldurs Gate/Norrath/XMen Legends type games.]

I prefer real time. Could never get into the turn-based. Ah well.

ditto.

Turn based whenever possible. If a game has an option for both, like the Icewind Dale PC games do, I always go for turn based.

I dig turn based when it isn't tedious. It requires more forward thinking and thus can be a bit more rewarding then a "find the pattern" type boss from a Zelda game. The fights have a chess quality to them when done proper. I do think those Zelda type bosses are a lot more fun to go against though. Both styles have their place.

Ditto. It sucks because KOTR and Final Fantasy are games that I would want to play, but just can't get into because of turn based.

Although I do like advance wars and that is turn based. Although I can't get into ff tactics.

Turned based games seemed weird to me.

I can go either way, although I find turn-based to get more tedious when I simply want to level up. I think that random battles every few steps frustrates me more than the fighting style.

I love turn-based, but any action rpg with the ability to level up such as the Tales or Star Ocean series are my current favorite. It has the best of both worlds.

The only turn based games Ive really played are KOTOR 1&2. I like how it is on those games. Never really tried any others, but I do have Jade Empire comming.

I like them both, examples:

Turn-Based:
-Civilization series
-Star Wars: KOTOR series
-Final Fantasy series

Real-Time:
-The Legend of Zelda series
-XMEN Legends
-Command & Conquer Series

I like both just fine if they're done well. It's pretty rare that I play turn-based games, save Advance Wars, since I can't stand RPGs anymore.

I much prefer turn based. I still play HOMM 2 or 3 from time to time (for hours at a time).

Depends on what the "action" is.

Depends on the game. I'm playing through "Tales of Symphonia" right now, which has a system similar to many turn-based console games, but it's in real time. The battles go quick, but I'll be damned if I have any idea what's going on.

I felt the same way when playing that game. The battles were too fast almost. But, Sometime whithout warning, everything just seems to click and come together and you all of a sudden understand whats going on. Great game. Took me over 70 hours to beat it.

Back on topic, I prefer turn based but don't mind real time. Both have their advantages.

I prefer a well balanced game (esp when it comes to combat/fighting). Whether it's turn based or real time is really a secondary consideration, I enjoy elements of both.