The state of CRPGs

Andaar Amberfire · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2002, 03:16 AM

Quite a few years back, it seemed the CRPG was dead. But they kicked back...Ultima 8 and 9 (many hated U9, but I loved it, despite the abysmal dialogue), the BG series, Planescape: Torment, the IWD series, etc.

However, now things are becoming repetetive. RPG after RPG...all set in the same type of world...DnD 3E this, DnD 3E that. Personally, I'm getting tired of fantasy. I still love playing games like BG2, Torment and IWD (looking forward to IWD2 and NWN), but it would be nice to see a refreshing change to the CRPG world.

That's why I thought Arcanum was fantastic, despite the bugs. It blended the world of fantasy with a rough, tough industrial world. The thought of a dwarf running around with sticks of dynamite is exciting for anyone, im sure.

But what will come in the future? Well, more fantasy. NWN, IWD2 and . But we also have titles like Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars Galaxies and Lionheart (sounds like another Arcanum

) to look forward to.

Personally, I would like a fresh new change to RPGs. A few more cyberpunk type games would be cool (Anarchy Online looks cool), maybe a some White Dwarf style RPGs. Also, I'm looking forward to Republic, a very interesting game set in a modern day city.

What do you think?

Aegis · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2002, 02:54 PM

While FR and AD&D have a solid base on the RPG genre, I feel that one can only take so much of that sort of fantasy. I'm personally inclined to play games tilted more towards a unique type of fantasy.

Actually, this could become a really interesting conversation, if we could pull in a few people from SYM...

Nippy · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2002, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aegis

Actually, this could become a really interesting conversation, if we could pull in a few people from SYM...

Here's one from SYM. I personally love Forgotten Realms. It's the one setting that I like nearly everything about and I enjoy the deities and classes and races that are included, they seem 'fantasy' to me.

I wiil play Knights of the Old Republic and other RPG's though, it is my favourite genre!

Aegis · #4 (**permalink**) 06-13-2002, 03:25 PM

But doesn't knowing a great deal about the setting become a little boring? With other fantasy worlds, you can immerse yourself in a place where your new, and where you can learn new things, and explore new regions. It's the thrill of the adventure, and discovry that feel drives RPG's, not the amount you know about it.

Nippy · #5 (**permalink**) 06-13-2002, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aegis
But doesn't knowing a great deal about the setting become a little boring? With other fantasy worlds, you can immerse yourself in a place where your new, and where you can learn new things, and explore new regions. It's the thrill of the adventure, and discovry that feel drives RPG's, not the amount you know about it.

Agreed, to an extent, but with FR everything changes with a different place. I've gone from the country of Amn to Baldurs Gate and I'll soon be going to Neverwinter. I see that and I realise that, well, I am pretty damn travelled. As soon as I set foot into the outside of Athkatla and escaped the dungeon I was amazed, I didn't 'know' that land, but Connavar my Paladin does now.

The point I'm making is that I like to experience the familiar setting because I like the way it's been shown, with FR it changes when it's on the computer to when it's PnP. I love seeing the designs of different FR places, and I love knowing the Gods etc, because my character is an inhabitant of that place, and he knows about what field he is in.

One of the hallmarks of roleplay is immersing yourself into a game. I want to go beyond that and change my entire being when I play. I'm not Nippy, I'm Krusk the Barbarian or Filipe the Bard...

Andaar Amberfire · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2002, 01:28 AM

Aye, the FR and Dragonlance are definitely cool...but I'd prefer something original. For me, Planescape was very, very cool. Torment was an awesome game and got me into the Planescape universe. Unfortunately, PS has been discontinued, but as we speak, there is a group converting it to dnd 3E.

Unfortunately, PS books were never sold in Australia.

Aegis · #7 (**permalink**) 06-15-2002, 04:33 PM

You make good points, Nips, that a sense of familirity(sp) is nice to have in a game, but don't you feel that can take away from the experiance of the adventure?

If you look at Morrowind (one of personal favorites) the fact that you know nothing of the island makes it even better, becuase then you have dig deep, and learn about the island, thus uncovering all the little naunces of it.

With the FR, everything is given to you pretty much through sourcebooks, or just general information (which isn't bad). I feel that takes away from the adventure aspect, because then you aren't really learning about it in the traditional sense, rather it's handed to you.

BTW, are you getting NWN on it's release date? If so, perhaps we'll see each other online.

josh · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2002, 08:23 AM

I like to play in the FR setting also because I'm familiar with it. Its good to see appearances of characters from the books and know a bit about the history.
I don't think that knowing the setting will take away the experience of adventure as being a fan, it is the closest thing to be able to walk the realms. It gives you a chance to be part of the universe. The adventures are new and not based on some book so you get to create history.

Rob-hin · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 10:51 AM

FR all the way baby!

Though this poll isn't representative since everybody here is into D&d so the result is a bit predictable.

But worlds like morrowind and Star wars are cool too.