Appearance over stats?

[Insanity72]

When i play RPGs i always have to make a decision, a few more stats towards an attribute and have to wear something that doesn't match the rest of my armor or the opposite, get some more stats and look slightly ridiculous.

In almost all of these occurrences i will choose to keep my matching appearance over an item that will give me a few more points to my endurance. Obviously if it is a huge bonus to a stat i will choose the stats over appearance, i'm not THAT stupid.

So what about you Escapist? Would you rather keep a matching suit of Finely crafted elven armor, or walk around with a pair of green shorts that do not match the rest of your outfit what so ever?

 

[HassEsser]

Stats over visuals; I don't give a fuck about how I look in a game.

 

[ImperialSunlight]

I almost always do this. Half of RPGs is style and role playing anyway so it would be pointless if you had to go around like an idiot (which you often do). I wish designers would consider aesthetics more when designing clothing (I'm looking at you, monk's head wrappings).

 

[NeutralDrow]

Visuals until the stats become attractive enough. My Hunter in WoW ran around in cloth armor for the longest time for that reason, and my Rogue still does.

Hell, I still have my original outfit in that game (robes, boots, goggles) for formal occasions.

 

[Aris Khandr]

Appearance first, always. I don't care if that piece of armour makes me completely unkillable, if it looks ugly, I won't wear it.

 

[Jubbert]

In Fallout: New Vegas, I would always wear the Merc Troublemaker outfit - It had only one Damage Threshold point, but the crossing belts of ammo looked really badass while I ran around with a big ol' magnum.

 

[TriggerOnly]

I always have to look nice. If I am going to kick ass I want to kick ass looking bad ass.

 

[Ulquiorra4sama]

I like matching gear. If it looks completely fucked up when i've put on all the gear that gives me the best stats i'll look for the lowest stat thing that can be removed and replaced with something more stylish. Usually it ends up being the highest stat item because they tend to roll in one at a time and i won't have a suitable set until i'm alsmot at the end of the game...

 

[Spambot 3000]

Neither, I try to make myself look as ridiculous AND weak as possible.

 

[Zhukov]

Aesthetics all the way.

Stats are boring anyway.

 

[Supertegwyn]

A bit of both. I love appearance, but if this G-String of Power will make me immortal, count me in!

 

[JdaS]

I don't play RPGs very much. I played a fair bit of MapleStory which is a prime example for the OP's question seeing as some of the best gear in the game looks downright ridiculous. Like this huge hat in the shape of a stone idol you have to beat to get it. Horrid.

I also value appearance over stats in Mass Effect 2. I've played it quite a lot lately, although as far as ME2 goes (especially in normal mode) you can just as well prance around the battlefields in your undergarments for all the difference it makes (which, seeing as I play as FemShep wouldn't be all that unpleasant).

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Visuals over stats.

I hate how ALL of the armor looked in Fallout 3, so I walked around in a duster the entire time. Who cares that I can't take as much damage? At least when I die I leave a sexy corpse.

 

[CobraX]

Does anyone here remember the hats in Dragon Age: Origins?

Yeah, no.

This.I managed to find a hood that didn't look ridiculous, I stuck with it through the rest of the game.

I like my Characters not to look goofy but If it gives me a big stat boost I'll sacrifice My video game character's non goofy looks for the huge boost

 

[Mr Pantomime]

I prefer appearance, but I usually choose function in the end. I quite liked playing FFXIV for this reason. Noone knew what the stats actually meant, or what things were supposed to cost, so I just bought whatever looked cool and was cheap.

 

[Smooth Operator]

If I get good stats from the gear I don't care if it's a freekin vagina costume.

 

[Ham_authority95]

When i play RPGs i always have to make a decision, a few more stats towards an attribute and have to wear something that doesn't match the rest of my armor or the opposite, get some more stats and look slightly ridiculous.

In almost all of these occurrences i will choose to keep my matching appearance over an item that will give me a few more points to my endurance. Obviously if it is a huge bonus to a stat i will choose the stats over appearance, i'm not THAT stupid.

So what about you Escapist? Would you rather keep a matching suit of Finely crafted elven armor, or walk around with a pair of green shorts that do not match the rest of your outfit what so ever?

Stats over visuals, because the game mechanics are usually based off stats.

However, wouldn't it be interesting and cool to see a game driven by how people see your appearance? Not just a "fashion model" type game, but any game based off social interaction could use something like that.

But alas, my suggestions will probably be forgotten under endless games based off warfare conflict rather than intrigue and social skills.