Quality RPG test

[GawainBS]

A reviewer in my monthly gaming magazine (PC Gameplay, for those few who might know it.) talked about the "Quality RPG test", this being the fact that during the night NPC's do different things than during the day. If this isn't the case, it isn't a quality RPG. For your information: He was talking about Hard to be a God, and it failed the test.

Now, my question: Can you remember RPG's that met this criterium, but still plain sucked, or viceversa, that failed this criterium but are great games nonetheless?

For me, Titan Quest springs to mind: during the night, NPC's did the same things, but it's an awesome game.

[AvatarOfLight]

Titan Quest arguably isn't an RPG. It's an action game foremost. That being said, I care little for this silly person's quality test. The Elder Scrolls and Gothic series aren't great because NPC's have a day/night cycle. It's just a semi requirement for good game design: If you include night, it must affect something as this can break/support immersion. That's a lot of work for every NPC, so an alternative is just not include night. It can still be a great game.

[GawainBS]

Titan Quest is an RPG for purpose of this thread, ok? As is Diablo or Dungeon Siege. You get the point. :-)

I wouldn't call this reviewer silly, he has a rather good grasp on what makes or brakes a game. I do agree with you, though, that it is a rather small and insignificant criterium.

[DesR85]

Fable might fall into this criteria, I think. While there is realistic NPC behaviour such as guards lighting up the streets, shops closed and civilians all in their houses or hanging at the local bar, the game itself is just okay. I like it, mind you, but it feels kind of lacking and simplistic in one way or the other.

And if you don't mind me going way off course, I can include the GTA series. Good game, yet the NPCs there lack night/day sensitivity. You still see people with office clothing (or pretty much any clothing) waltzing around the streets be it morning, evening, night and even midnight.

Hope I'm on topic.

[swcarter]

Two Worlds had day/night cycles for its NPCs, and it didn't review very well. This seems like a dopey/arbitrary test to me.

SWC

[GawainBS]

The instant I read this "test", my inner "critic-bell" rang. But since I haven't played EVERY RPG in existance, I decided to share it with you.

[kmonster]

This "Quality RPG test" is ridiculous. Usually it's rather an annoyance than a feature if you get to a shop at the wrong daytime and have to waste time until it's open.
More realism doesn't mean better game, I'm glad that some "realistic" features (like having to feed your characters manually like in Eye of the Beholder) aren't in newer games anymore.


A great rpg which didn't meet the "Quality RPG test" criterium is Planescape:Torment, all other IE games don't meet it too, most shopkeepers are always awake 24 hours/day selling their stuff and you can visit NPCs at night- and daytime.

[Ronan]

This test only gives a hint if the game is detailed and in my opinion can only be aplied to new games. Also hack'n slash games like TItan Quest should be left out of it. In the end this just shows is the game has any details.

[GawainBS]

Why should H&S games be left out? It's details such as this that make them stand out from the blandness. TQ gave you the feeling the world was very much alive, which is a relief after DII.

[Tricky]

Can The Sims be an RPG for the purpose of this test also? :P

[GawainBS]

To be honest, it would be harder NOT to qualify it as an RPG than to qualify it.

[DesR85]

Originally Posted by GawainBS

To be honest, it would be harder NOT to qualify it as an RPG than to qualify it.

Since the Sims is qualified as an RPG, can either Flight Simulator or even MechWarrior be included as well?

[GawainBS]

Those are simulations. You aren't playing/directing the character's decisions. On a side note: Mechwarrior has a lot of underlying gameplay that's comparable to an RPG. Just replace "C-Bills" with XP...

[Tricky]

Originally Posted by DesR85

Since the Sims is qualified as an RPG, can either Flight Simulator or even MechWarrior be included as well?

Got served there.

And as you probably figured, I never played the Sims.

[DesR85]

Originally Posted by GawainBS

Those are simulations. You aren't playing/directing the character's decisions. On a side note: Mechwarrior has a lot of underlying gameplay that's comparable to an RPG. Just replace "C-Bills" with XP...

I know that. I was only joking.