We all seek certain things in games and we can resort to RP when we don't find them. I, for example, am still looking for something like this:
1) To be able to walk inside my ship and repair/equip it like an actual engineer (have the inventory like in xcom for example)
2) To be able to walk outside the ship on planetary surfaces and explore / research ancient civs (something similar to starcon)
...and much more.
From a strict RP point of view rpg and adventure games (SQ still rules here) fit the bill but there every option you have is related to the storyline and you're not free to go much beyond it.
Have tried tons of games to find this ideal setup but the ones that allowed me to properly RP are SR2 and DW. A good game will offer you plenty of elements for RP but a great one will already have them incorporated in the game itself.
So here it is: given all that you're looking in the ideal game which actual games did offer you the least trouble with RPing? [:)]
games and RPing
games and RPing
...Igniting stellar cores....Recharging reactors...Recalibrating hyperdrives....
RE: games and RPing
Strange wish to have a game do all that, unless...
Eve Online got station walks in the pipeline. But is not what you describe.
The Old Republic may be good (I hope so), and will have some of this. But this will of course be a mammoth theme park MMO.
Eve Online got station walks in the pipeline. But is not what you describe.
The Old Republic may be good (I hope so), and will have some of this. But this will of course be a mammoth theme park MMO.
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EaglePryde
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:21 am
RE: games and RPing
It's hard to find the ideal Game. There are some that come close but are then missing features you'd find in a different game. Games are somehow a mix and match where all nice stuff are scattered among them but none has somehow every possible feature you'd wish for (just talking about 1 genre).
I'm not talking about putting FPS into 4X space games but rather following example.
GalCiv2 had this very nice ship building stuff and was very nicely done in many ways. I just found it lacking from the battle perspective where you couldn't do anything.
Sins of a Solar Empire hat a fluid and "Self control" combat but was heavily lacking in RP (Empire/Planet) managment and customization options for ships/stations/etc.
Ai War had this brilliant setup regarding tactical build up and combat and the AI was brutal but had nothing else.
Star Ruler is very much sandbox and young but at present has not much RP value and i doubt it will.
Those are just a few examples.
DW is compared to others the most complete game in this genre up to date and imho has a good foudation for adding even more RP value in the future without having to sacrifice any other feature.
I suppose this is what your trying to say, that a rather "complete" game isn't found that easy.
I'm not talking about putting FPS into 4X space games but rather following example.
GalCiv2 had this very nice ship building stuff and was very nicely done in many ways. I just found it lacking from the battle perspective where you couldn't do anything.
Sins of a Solar Empire hat a fluid and "Self control" combat but was heavily lacking in RP (Empire/Planet) managment and customization options for ships/stations/etc.
Ai War had this brilliant setup regarding tactical build up and combat and the AI was brutal but had nothing else.
Star Ruler is very much sandbox and young but at present has not much RP value and i doubt it will.
Those are just a few examples.
DW is compared to others the most complete game in this genre up to date and imho has a good foudation for adding even more RP value in the future without having to sacrifice any other feature.
I suppose this is what your trying to say, that a rather "complete" game isn't found that easy.
RE: games and RPing
Indeed but....one can only dream [:)]
...Igniting stellar cores....Recharging reactors...Recalibrating hyperdrives....
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EaglePryde
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:21 am
RE: games and RPing
Hmm..I don't know it would work but i'd have to come up with an idea for a game like DW to get those 2 features in i would try to do it this way.
I would do them like a very simple minigame.
1.) I would reorganize ship layout to be a grid, maybe even multilayer like in Space Empires V. I would add crew to every ship that is split up into technical/security etc. like in Star Trek. You could issue repair orders if you have the needed crew and repair bays through simple clicks on the damaged section/component. If you loose some of your staff your ship could get stranded in space.
2.) security staff could be for defence against boarding
The second thing about planet exploration would be like this:
Ships can find ancient ruins but as the player youd have to bring a ship there yourself or use the scout who found the ruins. From this ship you could send down a search team to the planet. You'd be able to see the same grid type setup like in my previous ship suggestion. You could split your search team among the grid to look closer in each section. After a random amount of time you'd get feedback if you have found something or not. If you haven't you'll send your people to another section in the grid to search there. This way you'll search the whole planet until you uncover the ruins.
You could also search planets without having found ruins becacuse your scanning tech could be to low or because some techs can only be found this way.
Maybe you'd be able to find some minor civilization through it who could then become allies or just another minor faction in the universe. In theory this could be expanded even further
This would add a bit of RP value twords those 2 things and could be done during some "off time" [:D]
I would do them like a very simple minigame.
1.) I would reorganize ship layout to be a grid, maybe even multilayer like in Space Empires V. I would add crew to every ship that is split up into technical/security etc. like in Star Trek. You could issue repair orders if you have the needed crew and repair bays through simple clicks on the damaged section/component. If you loose some of your staff your ship could get stranded in space.
2.) security staff could be for defence against boarding
The second thing about planet exploration would be like this:
Ships can find ancient ruins but as the player youd have to bring a ship there yourself or use the scout who found the ruins. From this ship you could send down a search team to the planet. You'd be able to see the same grid type setup like in my previous ship suggestion. You could split your search team among the grid to look closer in each section. After a random amount of time you'd get feedback if you have found something or not. If you haven't you'll send your people to another section in the grid to search there. This way you'll search the whole planet until you uncover the ruins.
You could also search planets without having found ruins becacuse your scanning tech could be to low or because some techs can only be found this way.
Maybe you'd be able to find some minor civilization through it who could then become allies or just another minor faction in the universe. In theory this could be expanded even further
This would add a bit of RP value twords those 2 things and could be done during some "off time" [:D]
RE: games and RPing
To answer Datas original question:
DW, SR2, Deus Ex (I will defend this games name to DEATH! Don't get me started!), Fallout 1, Fallout 3 & New Vegas (I love them personally. The only problem they have is the dated engine which causes all the other problems) and Freelancer (In some degree. Had lots of lost potential).
There's probably some more but these are the ones I remember right away.
Honorable mention go to Mass Effect 1 & 2. Not RPGs in the common sense, but still great story-driven RPGs.
What I'd personally like to see in DW is features that help to understand the habits and way of living of each race. We have a basic information of each race which we can use to relate to them, but we don't have any insight how the individuals of the race live and go on in their daily lives, or how their society works in general. This may sound trivial but I think it's important in SciFi to tell as much as possible about each race. Good examples here would be Mass Effect, Sword of the Stars and Space Rangers 2.
The more you understand, the more you care. The more you care, the more you can relate. The more you relate, The better for RPing.
I hope the next expansion adds all kinds of cultural and social aspects to research and population management. This would make the people and aliens of your empire feel something more than just numbers in the info-screen.
DW, SR2, Deus Ex (I will defend this games name to DEATH! Don't get me started!), Fallout 1, Fallout 3 & New Vegas (I love them personally. The only problem they have is the dated engine which causes all the other problems) and Freelancer (In some degree. Had lots of lost potential).
There's probably some more but these are the ones I remember right away.
Honorable mention go to Mass Effect 1 & 2. Not RPGs in the common sense, but still great story-driven RPGs.
What I'd personally like to see in DW is features that help to understand the habits and way of living of each race. We have a basic information of each race which we can use to relate to them, but we don't have any insight how the individuals of the race live and go on in their daily lives, or how their society works in general. This may sound trivial but I think it's important in SciFi to tell as much as possible about each race. Good examples here would be Mass Effect, Sword of the Stars and Space Rangers 2.
The more you understand, the more you care. The more you care, the more you can relate. The more you relate, The better for RPing.
I hope the next expansion adds all kinds of cultural and social aspects to research and population management. This would make the people and aliens of your empire feel something more than just numbers in the info-screen.
Nothing is impossible, not if you can imagine it!
"And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear."
"And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear."
RE: games and RPing
Don't forget about X3: Terran conflict, with all the community mods and plugins it gives very much RP possibilities. Right now, in my game, i am the founder of new pirate clan, trying to survive in dangerous galaxy. Im hunted by Argon police and naval forces but have good reputation with other pirate clans, sometimes they give me cover, when im asking for it. Etc... Its really great game, where you can be a privateer, pirate, mercenary, smuggler, join naval forces etc... All the community work really expand games possibilities.
RE: games and RPing
Indeed, almost all these games are good examples and I've tried them all at one time or another. Except Deus Ex, will research a bit on it.
Thx for the feedback, guys.
Thx for the feedback, guys.
...Igniting stellar cores....Recharging reactors...Recalibrating hyperdrives....
RE: games and RPing
ORIGINAL: Data
...Except Deus Ex...
Really, Data?
It's widely considered as crime against humanity to un-install Deus Ex.
Nothing is impossible, not if you can imagine it!
"And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear."
"And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear."
RE: games and RPing
The strange thing about Deus Ex, is that it did not grab me the first time. Did not get far and left it.
Then I tried again... How I love that game [&o]. I still think the opening is less than stellar, though.
Another game that I struggled with getting going is Planescape: Torment, and that is probably my favorite game ever. Took a while to grab me, but what a grab.
Then I tried again... How I love that game [&o]. I still think the opening is less than stellar, though.
Another game that I struggled with getting going is Planescape: Torment, and that is probably my favorite game ever. Took a while to grab me, but what a grab.
RE: games and RPing
I'm keeping my eye on The Old Republic, but the game I'm really looking forward to is The Elder Scrolls V.
Star Trek Online is fun at the moment with all the new user generated content and soon we'll see an episode almost every week. So it'll get better.
Star Trek Online is fun at the moment with all the new user generated content and soon we'll see an episode almost every week. So it'll get better.
RE: games and RPing
Bad that from videos and screenshots Old republic looks just like many others WOW clones. StarWars content is great, but i want good fresh gameplay
RE: games and RPing
I am a Bioware fan, and I don't really dislike WoW. I am just tired of WoW...
Some of the same principles and a new settings, new classes, new abilities. It will keep me entertained for a while. And I expect Old Republic to have high production values, how many game since WoW have had that? Age of Conan was for instance quite fun for a while, but it dried up, and content was far too tightly packed in zones. Also, there were holes in the levelling experience. That I tried my first instances and hated them did not help my interest in the game at all.
Of course, WoW also had holes, I played as Horde, and it could be tricky at some boundaries between zone levels if you did not plan well. The choice between too orange and too green. But Old Republic will compete with a mature WoW, and I expect no holes in the levelling curve, and some Bioware high quality content storywise. The danger is "too easy" and thus not interesting enough.
Will it be good? I hope so, but I am of course not sure it will grab me. But they will try to grab me. I am ready for a new MMO, but dropped Rift. It would not feel like a lasting experience anyways, with the Republic looming on the horizon. Maybe if the Old Republic sucks.
Some of the same principles and a new settings, new classes, new abilities. It will keep me entertained for a while. And I expect Old Republic to have high production values, how many game since WoW have had that? Age of Conan was for instance quite fun for a while, but it dried up, and content was far too tightly packed in zones. Also, there were holes in the levelling experience. That I tried my first instances and hated them did not help my interest in the game at all.
Of course, WoW also had holes, I played as Horde, and it could be tricky at some boundaries between zone levels if you did not plan well. The choice between too orange and too green. But Old Republic will compete with a mature WoW, and I expect no holes in the levelling curve, and some Bioware high quality content storywise. The danger is "too easy" and thus not interesting enough.
Will it be good? I hope so, but I am of course not sure it will grab me. But they will try to grab me. I am ready for a new MMO, but dropped Rift. It would not feel like a lasting experience anyways, with the Republic looming on the horizon. Maybe if the Old Republic sucks.
RE: games and RPing
Still waiting for a remake of Star Control 2 
Can only dream i guess.
Can only dream i guess.
RE: games and RPing
ORIGINAL: J HG T
ORIGINAL: Data
...Except Deus Ex...
Really, Data?
It's widely considered as crime against humanity to un-install Deus Ex.
Yes, but what if you have it for PS2 and not PC? [;)]
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: games and RPing
ORIGINAL: Torgrim
Still waiting for a remake of Star Control 2
Can only dream i guess.
We're all dreaming about remakes for a ton of good old games, StarCon 2 among the first of them...still puzzles me how no one attempts that (not to mention the one that attempt and fail really bad).
...Igniting stellar cores....Recharging reactors...Recalibrating hyperdrives....
RE: games and RPing
ORIGINAL: J HG T
ORIGINAL: Data
...Except Deus Ex...
Really, Data?
It's widely considered as crime against humanity to un-install Deus Ex.
High praise indeed, now I have to try it [:)]
...Igniting stellar cores....Recharging reactors...Recalibrating hyperdrives....
RE: games and RPing
ORIGINAL: Shark7
Yes, but what if you have it for PS2 and not PC? [;)]
Go catch a Grey Death.
Seriously though, I've never seen PS2 version in action or heard anything special about it. Apparently it was playable but wasn't really anywhere near the orginal PC version.
I play Deus Ex with HDTP and shifter mods. Makes it even better. Have to hate those one-shot PS20 headshots. Small but deadly gizmo that is.
Nothing is impossible, not if you can imagine it!
"And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear."
"And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear."
RE: games and RPing
ORIGINAL: J HG T
ORIGINAL: Shark7
Yes, but what if you have it for PS2 and not PC? [;)]
Go catch a Grey Death.
Seriously though, I've never seen PS2 version in action or heard anything special about it. Apparently it was playable but wasn't really anywhere near the orginal PC version.
I play Deus Ex with HDTP and shifter mods. Makes it even better. Have to hate those one-shot PS20 headshots. Small but deadly gizmo that is.
It was entertaining enough for me to replay it more than a few times. Though I might have to try and find a PC version in a bargain bin if yall keep up this talk about it.
Distant Worlds Fan
'When in doubt...attack!'
'When in doubt...attack!'
RE: games and RPing
Deus Ex.....I just menntioned it [:D]
...Igniting stellar cores....Recharging reactors...Recalibrating hyperdrives....