Captain Shrek
Guest
THIS IS NOT A "WHAT's AN RPG?" thread.
Please post YOUR vision of what constitutes a perfect RPG.
Me first
.
Universe: A detailed universe with a rich lore. Lore collection should become a worthy goal in itself. The only games I thought, I wanted to do that were DA:O and Morrowind. Fuckers never explained what really happened to Nerevar.
A non-linear storyline: This ought to mean that different story modules of the game should be independent. Completing them in different way should reflect on the main plot line and create at least clearly differentiable game experiences. e.g. Like Deus Ex but musch more responsive. Deus Ex non-linearity was un-responsive in the overall storyline.
VERY detailed character creation: A lot of character classes, prestige classes, Races if not species, backgrounds contribute HEAVILY towards re-playability. I still submit builds in NWN2DB. Also the game should respond differently according to my class, background and race. Something like DA origins.
Game mechanic: Definitely die rolls. Nothing says Uncertainty and anticipation with anxiety like die rolls.
Skills: Clean and useful. All skills should be MUST use in some situation and linked to overwhelming prizes in terms of storytelling and/or gameplay.This combined with limited skillpoints means you will be playing the game for years to come.
Attributes: Slow leveling and very few. By attributes I mean the actual character determinants like, Dex, Str, Int etc. The slow leveling allows a clear emphasis on character development and cautions you into playing focused characters that are not gimped. DnD does this well I think.
Feats/Special attacks/Special abilities/Perks: By these I means those features that allow you to fine tune your character. You are a warrior? Do you disarm you enemies with finesse or simply hack his feet off with a placed blow?
Multi-classing: Too much of multi-classing MUST nerf your character to reflect that you can't have the cake and eat it too. But a single Major and a Minor class looks great in my book. e.g. A roguish sorceror or roguish thief (CONAN!) would be an instant hit with me.
Magic: I have some personal restrictions here. I don't like high-magic settings where you cast a single spell to obliterate your foes with one blow. That makes the game lame. I don't also like INVULNERABILITIES towards magic without a plot point. Resistances are OK but immunities are bad. So spells should be of limited power and not nukes. Enemies should be tough but not cripple a character that specializes in one aspect to which they are immune.
Combat behavior: Enemies should not level with you. There should be level fixed enemies from the get go, the stronger of these you have to ACTIVELY avoid. I can't appreciate a game that says that you can fight every one or a game that hides stronger opponents till you level. If this is to be so, the game MUST provide a reasonable cause for this: Your village was raided by local bandits and your initial gameplay is only against wild boars and the bandits, who later become butt-monkeys of your wrath.
I have interest in playing BOTH isometric and FPS RPGs with strict expectations from FPS/TPS gameplay:
The FPS/TPS gameplay should take advantage of the more dynamic and visceral combat it has ability to offer. Intelligent and refined environmental interaction is essential (Arx Fatalis/ Dark Messiah improved ten fold). I always adored spell casting in Arx Fatalis.
EDIT: MAPs!: Should be OPEN.
Looking back at this post, I must seem like a complete nut as I have said something that all of you always agree to. But Please tell me if you have any other thoughts.
Please post YOUR vision of what constitutes a perfect RPG.
Me first
.Universe: A detailed universe with a rich lore. Lore collection should become a worthy goal in itself. The only games I thought, I wanted to do that were DA:O and Morrowind. Fuckers never explained what really happened to Nerevar.
A non-linear storyline: This ought to mean that different story modules of the game should be independent. Completing them in different way should reflect on the main plot line and create at least clearly differentiable game experiences. e.g. Like Deus Ex but musch more responsive. Deus Ex non-linearity was un-responsive in the overall storyline.
VERY detailed character creation: A lot of character classes, prestige classes, Races if not species, backgrounds contribute HEAVILY towards re-playability. I still submit builds in NWN2DB. Also the game should respond differently according to my class, background and race. Something like DA origins.
Game mechanic: Definitely die rolls. Nothing says Uncertainty and anticipation with anxiety like die rolls.
Skills: Clean and useful. All skills should be MUST use in some situation and linked to overwhelming prizes in terms of storytelling and/or gameplay.This combined with limited skillpoints means you will be playing the game for years to come.
Attributes: Slow leveling and very few. By attributes I mean the actual character determinants like, Dex, Str, Int etc. The slow leveling allows a clear emphasis on character development and cautions you into playing focused characters that are not gimped. DnD does this well I think.
Feats/Special attacks/Special abilities/Perks: By these I means those features that allow you to fine tune your character. You are a warrior? Do you disarm you enemies with finesse or simply hack his feet off with a placed blow?
Multi-classing: Too much of multi-classing MUST nerf your character to reflect that you can't have the cake and eat it too. But a single Major and a Minor class looks great in my book. e.g. A roguish sorceror or roguish thief (CONAN!) would be an instant hit with me.
Magic: I have some personal restrictions here. I don't like high-magic settings where you cast a single spell to obliterate your foes with one blow. That makes the game lame. I don't also like INVULNERABILITIES towards magic without a plot point. Resistances are OK but immunities are bad. So spells should be of limited power and not nukes. Enemies should be tough but not cripple a character that specializes in one aspect to which they are immune.
Combat behavior: Enemies should not level with you. There should be level fixed enemies from the get go, the stronger of these you have to ACTIVELY avoid. I can't appreciate a game that says that you can fight every one or a game that hides stronger opponents till you level. If this is to be so, the game MUST provide a reasonable cause for this: Your village was raided by local bandits and your initial gameplay is only against wild boars and the bandits, who later become butt-monkeys of your wrath.
I have interest in playing BOTH isometric and FPS RPGs with strict expectations from FPS/TPS gameplay:
The FPS/TPS gameplay should take advantage of the more dynamic and visceral combat it has ability to offer. Intelligent and refined environmental interaction is essential (Arx Fatalis/ Dark Messiah improved ten fold). I always adored spell casting in Arx Fatalis.
EDIT: MAPs!: Should be OPEN.
Looking back at this post, I must seem like a complete nut as I have said something that all of you always agree to. But Please tell me if you have any other thoughts.
