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Posted: Feb 21 2008 06:26 pm

Which RPG is better?

Posted: Feb 21 2008 06:56 pm

A true RPG is turn-based, so gotta go with that.

Posted: Feb 21 2008 06:59 pm

I likes 'em both, but I like real time a little better (Tales of... games are the shit!)

Posted: Feb 21 2008 07:57 pm

I don't even care anymore. I adapt quickly depending on the game I'm playing.

Posted: Feb 21 2008 07:59 pm

I like em both. I was raised on Zelda II + Dragon Warrior and they represent one of each... and both awesome.

Posted: Feb 21 2008 08:47 pm

what about active turn based?

Posted: Feb 21 2008 08:50 pm

erock462 wrote:

what about active turn based?

Well since I have yet to hear of "active real time" I assume it qualifies under turn based.

Turn-Based all the way. I suck at C&C but love Fire Emblem/Advance Wars.

Posted: Feb 21 2008 09:52 pm

lordsathien wrote:

Turn-Based all the way. I suck at C&C but love Fire Emblem/Advance Wars.

You know we're talking about RPGs, not strategy games right?

The original Legend of Zelda would be an example of a real-time RPG.
The original Final Fantasy would be an example of a turn-based RPG.

Posted: Feb 21 2008 10:20 pm

Syd Lexia wrote:

lordsathien wrote:

Turn-Based all the way. I suck at C&C but love Fire Emblem/Advance Wars.

You know we're talking about RPGs, not strategy games right?

The original Legend of Zelda would be an example of a real-time RPG.
The original Final Fantasy would be an example of a turn-based RPG.

Actually the original Zelda was a real time action adventure, but you have the idea.

Posted: Feb 21 2008 11:06 pm

I never considered the original LoZ an RPG, but it is in some circles. The later games are almost universally accepted as such. Diablo probably would have been a better example.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 12:03 am

Syd Lexia wrote:

I never considered the original LoZ an RPG, but it is in some circles. The later games are almost universally accepted as such. Diablo probably would have been a better example.

It's not an RPG because you don't actually have stats,

Posted: Feb 22 2008 12:15 am

This begs the question, what is an RPG? What characteristics define a game as such?

Is it having stats? Being able to name the lead protagonist? Customizable equipment? Gaining levels?

Joined: Oct 16 2007 Posts: 123

Valdronius wrote:

what is an RPG?

Fallout 1 + 2.
or Planescape: Torment.

All 3 are the pinnacles of American-computer RPG's. One of these days if I find good torrents, I'll post em up, everyone should have experienced playing at least Fallout 1 to understand what it means to have choices and consequences in an RPG.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

Syd Lexia wrote:

lordsathien wrote:

Turn-Based all the way. I suck at C&C but love Fire Emblem/Advance Wars.

You know we're talking about RPGs, not strategy games right?

The original Legend of Zelda would be an example of a real-time RPG.
The original Final Fantasy would be an example of a turn-based RPG.

I hardly think the original zelda qualifies as an RPG. I know it's consdiered one, but I don't see why.

anyways, ATB FTW

Posted: Feb 22 2008 02:15 am

I know this is going to get me in trouble around here, but I simply cannot stand the majority of turn-based RPGs. Paper Mario 2 and Golden Sun are really the only ones I've slogged through. So just like my strategy games, I'm a real-time man.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 02:54 am

Zelda 2 is more like a new-era castlevania than an RPG.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 03:13 am

Dam but that splits it even more. something parasite eve has the real time aspect of moving around freely durin gbattle but the wait of the turn based of something from ff4-9 or chrono trigger. how do you even begin to describe secret of mana or evermores system?

Posted: Feb 22 2008 03:33 am

I'm pretty sure SoM and SoE are RTS.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 06:53 am

Valdronius wrote:

This begs the question, what is an RPG? What characteristics define a game as such?

Is it having stats? Being able to name the lead protagonist? Customizable equipment? Gaining levels?

Well, as we all know, RPG stands for role-playing game. In the video game world, an RPG is generally defined as a game that bears similar characteristics to the classic pen and paper RPG Dungeons & Dragons. Some of the main characteristics of D&D were:

1. Earning experience points to level up
2. Defeating monsters to earn money
3. Resting to heal
4. Buying or finding better equipment as you progressed through the game
5. Exploring dungeons
6. A turn-based attack system

But these were not the defining characteristics of D&D. D&D was really based on story-telling, and the ability of the Dungeon Master to create a rich, immersive world with his or her descriptions generally determines how enjoyable your D&D experience will be. Not only that, but D&D was truly a role-playing game. A good player would be able to create a character with personality traits different from their own and play the role in-game convincingly.

So, if we are to use the D&D as our basis, an RPG is any game which creates an immersive world where players take on the roles of characters who are somehow different from themselves. The problem is that this definition is VERY broad and would include many platformers and FPSes. Heck, even Madden could be considered an RPG under those terms.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 07:55 am

I like turn based for the tactical implications mostly. I love taking aimed shots in fallout and blowing a guy's head off, or sniping his eyes out from 50 yards.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 10:30 am

Well to be honest i really didnt enjoy games like FFX. It felt you were just playing someone else through a predetermined story. With the Voice acting you were forced to play as Main character with already strong character traits. Back in the FF1 days if you wanted to guide Pnis and his gang of stds Hrpe Aids and Clap through a fantasy adventure you dam well could.

Props to the Dragon Quest for the Ps2 that allowed you to name the character whatever you wanted.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

My main complaint with NWN2 is that it's real time. I have to pause all the time to plan attacks.

When I first got into RPGs with Arcanum five years ago or so, I started with Real Time cuz turn-based seemed slow and boring. But after concentrating on magic, it was way more efficient to do turn based, cuz it was the only way to keep up with the action. Melee characters can just attack over and over again, but magic users have to constantly decide what spells to use, taking up time while a tank can keep attacking you.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 03:05 pm

Cattivo wrote:

My main complaint with NWN2 is that it's real time. I have to pause all the time to plan attacks.

When I first got into RPGs with Arcanum five years ago or so, I started with Real Time cuz turn-based seemed slow and boring. But after concentrating on magic, it was way more efficient to do turn based, cuz it was the only way to keep up with the action. Melee characters can just attack over and over again, but magic users have to constantly decide what spells to use, taking up time while a tank can keep attacking you.

And, to add further to the confusion. NWN & NWN 2 are technically turn based. But it is more active turn based. When you begin combat you will see in the info window that you rolled initative. Then durring combat, it looks like you are fighting in real time, however, you are taking turns exchanging attacks based on how many attacks per round you have. KOTOR 1&2 were the same way. It just runs an infinite attack cycle unless you instruct you character to do sometime else like cast a spell or drink a potion. At, which point, that action will cue up at the top of the screen, and your character will not do said action, until his next turn.

But having the ability to pause the game in order to give more detailed instructions to your party does help, as it allows you to have more complex strategies when fighting. This was first implemented in Bulder's Gate.*

*All said games, KOTOR, NWN, Bulder's Gate, were all made by Bioware or its earlier incarnation, Black Isle. They have simply evolved thier RPG engine through the years.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

I actually find open ended RPGs boring. I enjoy having characters to grow attached to, and to go through their trials and tribulations.

Posted: Feb 22 2008 04:37 pm

I think a good RPG has to have a certain amount of open-endedness. Being able to choose your party members' classes and optional sidequests and nonlinear gameplay really help to make an RPG fun. At the same time, I like a good storyline and some semblance of structure. Something like World Of Warcraft doesn't interest me.