Sequel to a game that relied on good graphics now has to rely on gameplay and world building. Good luck guys.
Man, you must be really hard to please!
1. One of the first (if not THE first) true 3D action games to pioneer the genre of later GoW, Darksiders, Souls-likes, etc. Not really an RPG, however, it played very similarly: elements of stealth, various approaches to quests, various dealings with the enemies.
2. Musical score by Moscow Orchestra—in the year 1999, when game developers were glad if they got enough money from sales to pay for the rent and a bit extra. Needless to say, it was one of the best musical scores of 20 odd years. Orchestrated AF and also reflecting upon the game's moments: serene vistas, lush flora, crowded cities, forgotten, homely villages, or tense combat.
3. A living, breathing, dynamic world where actors went about their business, went missing, or went to other places altogether—depending on their agenda or the state of your quests. Don't forget, we are still talking about year
one-two-three 1999.
4. Sarcastic or quirky humor.
5. An extremely large world filled with true exploration (e.g., 'treasures behind the waterfall').
6. Worldbuilding... What else amounts to this meaning than a main quest line about raising awareness of rebellion amongst the people of Adelpha. Fighting through, sneaking through, or spying through to contact various local leaders in order to make all work together to finally overthrow the oppressors.
7. Jetpack as the means of traversing the world, exploring, or combat tactics.
8. Insanely good graphics for its time, not restricting itself to portraying but rather allowing the player to utilise or take advantage of the displayed world's elements.
It was one of the very few games that scored 10/10 in our local gaming magazine. Back in the day, when men were men, RPGs were RPGs, and gaming magazines were the pinnacle of journalistic creativity, no less.
