The good, bad and ugly of RPGs

Valentine · #1

So if you're here in this forum, then I imagine you like your RPGs. But like everything, they're both rough and smooth at times.

What things in RPGs in general could you do without? Are there things that crop up now and then that really get on your nerves? What about specific RPGs, most annoying thing in any RPG you've played?

And on the flipside,

What is it that makes RPGs so great for you? Any stand-out moments in the RPG's you've played?

...

Oh yea, ugliest RPG character ever?

Leinad · #2

The bit I hate most is that a lot of plot points are easy to find out. take tales of symphonia, it's my favourite RPG, but from Triet I had suspicions that

Spoiler.

Crazyswordsman · #3

Well, the most ugly RPG character of all time has to go to Aeris. Sorry.

As for the most annoying feature in an RPG, that has to be either when your Capsule Monster in Lufia II escapes from battle, or when Ness' father calls Ness in Earthbound, telling you "you've been out there for a long time now." -CSM

Valentine · #4

You're just a big FF7 hater aren't ye?

Ugliest character I can think off the top of my head is Quina or Osman from Skies of Arcadia. Hehe, if only Jolteon was here now with his horrible pic...

I don't understand why modern RPGs insist on sticking to exp and levelling up. I mean if you took that out you're game wouldn't suddenly be outside the genre and you could make it more gear dependant with peoples stats being dictated more by the equipment they have. It especially bugs me that because someone in the story is a mage, I cant give them warriors armour or any big swords. I mean it cant be that hard to make every item available to every character can it?

Crazyswordsman · #5

I don't hate FFVII. It's a great game. In fact, the whole "Versus Shinra" plot is probably the best FF plot there is. It's just that

1. The main focus shifts to Sephiroth early,
2. The game isn't nearly as good as half the FFs out there, 3. The plot doen't seem like "Final Fantasy,"
4. The characters except Barret, Red XIII, and Cid weren't that great,
5. The game is so overrated by hippies (thank God there aren't any on this forum), and
6. Square had to make FIVE sequels to it, while delaying FFXII and SD4 and cancelling Chrono Break. I don't want to give Square any satisfaction that what they did with the sequals was right. If I could see Advent Children without paying Square, I would. I probably wouldn't feel this way if they had even as many as two spinoffs. But five is overdoing it. -CSM

It's probably my sixth favorite FF (after VI, IV, Tactics, V and IX in that order), including all the spinnoffs (which makes the total number of games I've seen and/or played 14).

EWA · #6

I dont have a favourite RPG yet but im sure im getting close.

the ugliest RPG character ever has got to be mario

EWA · #7

Sorry

Leinad · #8

please, don't double post EWA.

Nomyt · #9

[QUOTE=Valentine]I don't understand why modern RPGs insist on sticking to exp and levelling up. I mean if you took that out you're game wouldn't suddenly be outside the genre and you could make it more gear dependant with peoples stats being dictated more by the equipment they have. It especially bugs me that because someone in the story is a mage, I cant give them warriors armour or any big swords. I mean it cant be that hard to make every item available to every character can it?[/QUOTE]

I know what you mean. I like using some spells, but also like to have a big sword. Not a lot of games go for that type of ideas. Everything is old style.
This is partly the reason why I like Disgaea. Most my healers have Swords, or spears. Although I still like leveling up and experince, stops me from completing games to quickly.

Leinad · #10

^yeah I guess that makes sense, I mean excluding, for example, when they use different peoples like dwarves and elves, the whole 'he's a mage, he can't have good armour' gets on my nerves.

[QUOTE=EWA]Sorry[/QUOTE]
don't worry, most people do that when they're new.

Valentine · #11

Bah, seems I can't merge posts unless I'm doing it wrong.

PK FIRE! · #12

Don't get me Started on how over rated FFVII is, i hate that game. i rather liked FF IV, VI, and Tactiics though, IV and VI for storyline and characters and the later for it's battle system.

Nomyt · #13

[QUOTE=Valentine]Bah, seems I can't merge posts unless I'm doing it wrong.[/QUOTE]
On the top right corner of the posts that you want to merge, click the box. Then at the bottom of the screen, should say Merge posts, and a little link button. Click that.

Sir Dark The Hunter · #14

good: arc the lad: twilight of the spirits

bad: any ff game

ugly: ultima

Auron · #15

This may sound like a cliche answer, but I prefer RPGs with deep stories, stories that interest me to the point where I just have to advance further and see what happens. Golden Sun and Star Ocean III did that for me. Also, I like games that have worlds with there own histories, deep, well written histories. FF tactics and Star Ocean also had this. It has to have interesting, well developed characters that you can become attached to, each with their own distinctive personality. FFX and Golden Sun worked like that for me (granted Issac didn't talk in the first one, but you just know what he's about because you get to see what happened to his village). Great gameplay and replayability are also a must. Stories and scripts can't do all of it. Phantasy Star Online is a game I absolutely loved, even with it's lackluster plot, and Fable even though it was too short. I prefer lenghty games. I pay good money for games, I have to be occupied with them for a loooong time. Lots of optional dungeons and bosses help to improve that by a lot. Star Ocean III and Golden Sun did that.

Everthing an RPG shouldn't do is pretty much just an opposite of what it should do.

Thats what I think, anyway.

Valentine · #16

[quote="Nomytaker]On the top right corner of the posts that you want to merge"]
Tried that Nomyb, it takes me to the next screen ok but's there's no confirmation button so I can't make it happen.

Was pretty sure only Supermods and up could merge posts, better PM Shane.

Black Knight is you like RPG's with compelling storylines I suggest you rummage in some bargain bins and find yourself a copy of Skies of Arcadia. It doesn't have the most complex plot ever but it just tells it so well and the characters are so great and full of, well character.

Wicked Witch of the Crest · #17

The Good: Paper Mario
The Bad: Quest 64
The Ugly: Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage(or bomb, I should say)

Irkenwarrior12 · #18

Good: Symphonia, FFI&II Dawn of Souls, PM:TTYD

Bad: FFVII (I just couldn't get into it)

Ugly: Cloud (It's the hair)

EWA · #19

Ive just got this new game called Magna Carta wich just came out revently and and to be honest it isnt what i exspected it to be. They really could have worked on the graphics a bit more and to start of with i thought the main character was a girl until i heard his disturbingly deep voice also the battle system is really confusing to start of with but other than that i would say that the game was a average rpg with an exciting storyline.

Cysma · #20

Black Knight is you like RPG's with compelling storylines I suggest you rummage in some bargain bins and find yourself a copy of Skies of Arcadia. It doesn't have the most complex plot ever but it just tells it so well and the characters are so great and full of, well character.

Indeed, and the GCN remake contains extra sidequests that expand upon the storyline! Plus, the new optional bosses are always the same level as you are, so you'll never have to worry about being over or under-leveled for them.

But I have also realized that RPGs can be great even WITHOUT big stories. Pokemon and Super Mario RPG were the first two RPGs I ever played; the storyline in those games barely even existed, but they are still very fun to play even today.

And to answer the question, "Why can't the mage wear heavy armor and carry big swords?", the answer goes back to Pencil & Paper RPGs, the pioneers of the video game RPGs we play today. The most well-known of them, Dungeons & Dragons, encouraged teamwork by giving each character class its own strengths and weaknesses. Your allies would cover you in the areas you weren't good at, and vice versa. While you may struggle alone, as a team, the group could overcome any challenge thrown at them.

Another answer is a part of realism: A wizard is specifically trained to use magic, not swing swords or carry heavy armor. You obviously can't be good at everything.