About the state of mainstream RPGs : Othor Games

» Mon May 14, 2012 10:03 am

As long as they continue to patch the game, I don't mind buggy releases, especially open world games. I was pissed at Beth for not patch FO3 enough and then releasing patches only to add acheviements for DLCs. Of course there are companies that release the game in such a state that is either unplayable or missing features. Sword of the stars 2 is a great example, which is unacceptable.

That mindset makes companies think its ok to release bugged games. I am glad Bethesda is patching the game but it seems like with each patch its introducing new bugs in the game, I just hope they address them before they are done. Fallout 3 did need woot more patching than it got and its a plus they are patching Skyrim, but it seems to me this was Bethesdas plan release Skyrim early and patch later, heck now they are talking about adding content threw patches, its a good thing yes but that just gives me more of a feeling this game was rushed to market.

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:18 am

Actually, I think Bioware are regressing, and not in a negative way. They billed Dragon Age as Baldur's Gate spiritual successor, and I don't think that's inaccurate. If they're pioneering the renaissance of party time-based RPGs, I'm not complaining. Admitedly I've not played Mass Effect, but Dragon Age feels like a return to classic RPGs such as Planescape Torment, which is more than I'd hoped for and just fine by me.

Dragon Age Origins yes, but apparently they made a "spiritual successor" so they could exorcise it.

» Mon May 14, 2012 2:21 am

Everyone I know that's played it loves it. I think people are just too critical online.

Understatement of the century? Maybe the millenia?

» Mon May 14, 2012 2:55 am

Actually, I think Bioware are regressing, and not in a negative way. They billed Dragon Age as Baldur's Gate spiritual successor, and I don't think that's inaccurate. If they're pioneering the renaissance of party time-based RPGs, I'm not complaining. Admitedly I've not played Mass Effect, but Dragon Age feels like a return to classic RPGs such as Planescape Torment, which is more than I'd hoped for and just fine by me.

Correction: they were regressing with Dragon Age: Origins. Then with Dragon Age 2, they dialed back the whole "Baldur's Gate successor" schtick and aimed for the more "cinematic" approach. During development, the devs spent a lot of time trashing DAO, and have made it clear that DA2 is going to reflect the feel of the series from here on out.

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:19 am

Correction: they were regressing with Dragon Age: Origins. Then with Dragon Age 2, they dialed back the whole "Baldur's Gate successor" schtick and aimed for the more "cinematic" approach. During development, the devs spent a lot of time trashing DAO, and have made it clear that DA2 is going to reflect the feel of the series from here on out.

Oh.

Well, frig.

» Mon May 14, 2012 4:47 am

hmm, lessee. They svck.

/thread

» Mon May 14, 2012 6:19 am

RPGs have been so disappointing for so long that I've given up on them. The most fervent of my attention and adoration is now reserved for FPAAs. http://www.gamesas.com/forum/163-general-discussion/ :woot:

» Mon May 14, 2012 11:32 am

People STILL think this is some cut conspiracy theory? http://www.destructoid.com/ea-responds-to-mass-effect-3-day-one-dlc-controversy-223673.phtml

They clearly have no idea how game development works. GO ahead, I dare people to try and unlock that DLC without downloading it. It's a framework, it won't work. Like the chasis of a car, it's all there ready to be assembled.

I'd say that's more than "framework", the full character is there, every ability he has, every comment he makes, a fully functional squad member. What is missing is his mission, the extra equipment and you can't see or talk to him out of missions, and therefore can't get a his talents for your character either. Not nearly the full package, but quite a lot still.

So i'd say they included a bit too much of him in the game disc, which only served to inspire such conspiracies

Next time cut enough files that people are not be able to use him with a simple hack :whisper:

» Mon May 14, 2012 3:11 pm

Seems to me that developers these days don't really understand what an RPG is supposed to be. They just put in some numerical indication of your characters' levels and the damage you do to enemies and then call it a day, completely forgetting the roleplaying aspect of the genre.

I will say that what constitutes an RPG is a very broad spectrum of many different things, and as time goes by, what people and developers think makes one will change, but I just can't see a game like Borderlands and call it an RPG without grimacing and wanting to punch myself in the mouth.

Also, I will agree that Bethesda, while I dislike many things they've done to the series, is a company with consistently high quality output, and seems to care about its fanbase to an acceptable degree. It's hard to heed so many players' wishes without ending up with a train wreck of a game, so the series will invariably become better or worse depending on how certain people think of the changes.

Honestly, cutting content is the biggest offense out of anything a company could ever do. Take Mass Effect, for example. I quite enjoyed the optional on-planet Mako exploration feature, but when they cut it because of complaints, I couldn't help but feel betrayed. Bioware could have easily improved it, not only silencing the criticisms, but sparking a new wave of compliments on a job well done. Too bad it didn't happen that way..

The bolded part is one of the reasons why I continue to support Bethesda and play Skyrim, even with the problems that I have with it as an RPG and some design decisions. Bioware didn't just cut the mako, the inventory also got cut and I think that was worse then the Mako. There are also other factors such as EA too.

» Mon May 14, 2012 6:13 pm

I don't like the fact that exploration is getting less and less significance, if it is already present in modern games. For me, it started with a game like Fable, where I'd just go through the lineair paths the designers had set aside for me. If it is well done, it can be very rewarding, but I usually prefer the open worlds of games like Morrowind, Daggerfall, Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, etc. Even a lineair game like Final Fantasy VIII had enough opportunities to stray from the path and grind, explore, find upgrades, play cards, etc.

Also, tied with that, is the waypoints and arrows modern RPG's tend to use more. Oblivion simply pointed you to the exact location of a quest item, Morrowind had descriptions from town folk you had to follow. I prefer the second option; it's better for immersion and you might find all kinds of stuff while you're looking for the boots of someluckyfellow.

» Mon May 14, 2012 12:03 pm

So i'd say they included a bit too much of him in the game disc, which only served to inspire such conspiracies :wink:

Next time cut enough files that people are not be able to use him with a simple hack :whisper:

Or, you know, they could stop with such BS and just sell a complete game.

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:08 am

Or, you know, they could stop with such BS and just sell a complete game.

Amen.

» Mon May 14, 2012 11:12 am

Skyrim is actually considered to be a full-grown rpg.

» Mon May 14, 2012 2:28 am

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/kotaku/2011/03/horsearmoroblivion.jpg? :tongue:

I'm kidding, Bethesda has learned from experience.

LOL! Once again, not a day goes by that someone doesn't mention the horse armor. Poor beth =P

» Mon May 14, 2012 3:59 pm

LOL! Once again, not a day goes by that someone doesn't mention the horse armor. Poor beth =P

Indeed

But really, that is unfair. Bethesda's DLC since has been some of the best in the industry. Besides, that elven armor looks really good :hehe:

» Mon May 14, 2012 6:19 pm

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/kotaku/2011/03/horsearmoroblivion.jpg? :tongue:

I'm kidding, Bethesda has learned from experience.

Bethesda:

They're never going to live that down.