I apologize in advance as there have been about a dozen similar topics in the last month alone, but none of them really suit my needs.
This turned out to be quite a lot longer than I intended so the short version is I'm looking for an RPG that I haven't already played with a great story on either PC or Xbox, preferably not a JRPG, but that's not a strict condition, and definitely no MMOs. I've included a list of RPGs I've played at the end, so please look for your suggestions first before posting.
<spoiler=Long version>
Like many of you out there, I love my RPGs, but that seems to be my problem as I've already played most of the common suggestions that come up in threads like this. The main feature I look for are compelling stories; game play and exploration are great and all, but if I don't have a story that really pulls me in I usually get sick of a game before I've finished it. This usually ends up with me plowing through the last acts of a game and finishing on a low note, leaving me generally disappointed with the game, no matter how much fun I may have had at the beginning. Ideally the game I'm looking for will have a great story, an interesting world, good characters, and a good leveling and loot system, but we wouldn't want me getting too greedy now would we.
I'm mainly looking for a game I haven't played on PC or Xbox, or a reason to try one of the games I tried but never got drawn into. Just to reiterate, I don't have any Sony or Nintendo consoles, so no matter how great any individual game is on your chosen platform I'm afraid I just don't have the money to go out and buy that console and the game, which means that I have indeed missed out on some of the classics over the years.
I mostly prefer western RPGs, the turn based combat and linearity of JRPGs aren't the style of play I'm primarily looking for. The stories in these games can be pretty good, but the other elements usually drag my overall rating down a couple of notches. Still feel free to recommend some if you can add some justification on why that JRPG should catch my notice.
While this isn't a major factor, graphics have definitely improved over the years, so maybe games from the last decade will catch my attention easier. This is a bit hypocritical of me though, seeing as most of my all time favourites were made probably 10 or more years ago, but I guess I've been a bit spoiled with the looks of today's games. This is not to say don't recommend any old games, but it's just something to keep in mind.
Please, no MMOs, I've played a few (WoW, Champions Online, Guild Wars, EVE Online). None interested me enough to play for more than a month, and I have no interest in playing any of them again.
Now I've been playing RPGs for a long time, and I don't want suggestions of the ones I already know and love, so I'm going to add a list of all the RPGs I own. I'm sure I'll miss a few, but what's there will give you a good idea of what I like. I've also included some games which aren't RPGs, but have RPG type elements, and often get mentioned in these threads anyway. I've also added some short notes for any of those interested in looking for new RPGs of their own. Please note, these opinions are subjective, reflecting only the experiences I've had with these games, and in no way denigrate how you feel about any individual game. Feel free to disagree, and to give any reasons why in an intelligent manner if you feel the need, but no flaming.
<spoiler=List of RPGs>
Love:
Baldur's Gate 1 & 2 + expansions - My all time favourite series, and old one but still good.
Mass Effect 1 & 2 - Not really RPG enough for me, but the story and characters are strong.
Planescape: Torment - Everything about this game is amazing, the story, characters, character system and game play. A must have for all RPG fans even if it is over a decade old now.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic - I'm a huge Star Wars fan, and the story, game play and characters are on the whole quite decent. I have played the second one, but to me it never lived up to the success of the first game, and the ending disappointed me.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines - Quite buggy, and the ending felt unfinished or rushed (from memory), but when I look back on it I only remember the good parts. Has a good world, and an interesting level up system.
Thought were decent:
Bioshock - Good world, decent first 2 thirds of the story, fun powers.
Borderlands + DLC - I've had some fun playing through the game with a friend, but the lack of any real story and having a focus on gaining loot instead really aren't what I'm looking for.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic - Despite some low reviews I've seen online, I actually really liked this game. Sure, it wasn't perfect, but it drew me in enough that I overlooked its flaws.
Diablo 2 - Good game for the time, but none of its clones have had any lasting appeal.
Dragon Age - I had fun playing it, but I guess I've played too many RPGs now that nothing stood out for me. The game did nothing wrong, but at the same time it was never able to captivate me.
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind + expansions - Good mix of story, exploration and game play.
Fallout 1 - Pretty good game, played it just before no. 3 came out. I liked most aspects of the game, but I guess I've been a little spoiled by more recent games graphics wise, it's getting harder to play games with more dated graphics that I don't already know and love. If I can get drawn into the story quickly enough though, I'll be happy no matter what the game looks like.
Fallout 3 - Not really a true RPG, but still had a lot of fun with it until I finally chose to play the main story, which left me with such a sour taste in my mouth that it spoiled any chance of going back to the game just to explore. As such, I have not played any of the DLC.
Heroes of Might and Magic 3 - A favourite that I still love, but I'm looking for a game without RTS elements, where I can play as the hero instead of commanding an army.
Icewind Dale 1 & 2 + HoW - Good, in the same vein as Baldur's Gate, but lacking the strong story.
Jade Empire - Not as strong as some of Bioware's other games, but still a decent game.
Penny Arcade Adventures - I liked them, some good humour, but more of an action/adventure game with RPG elements.
Pokemon - Mainly Red version. Brings back some good childhood memories, but I can't see any games of this type being something I'd be looking for. But who knows, maybe it's where I'm not looking that a few undiscovered gems are hiding.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R - I finished about 90% of the game when I first got it, but never finished it, or lost the save or something. I enjoyed a lot of what it had to offer, and may return to it now that I've recently bought the Pripyat expansion.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption - I can't remember much about it now, but I remember enjoying it at the time I played it.
The Witcher - I have to confess that I never actually finished this game. I loved the idea of it, and the direction it headed in, especially compared with other RPGs being released nowadays, but there was always something that kept myself from getting fully drawn into the game, and when I ran across an area where there was no clear way forward I just stopped playing. Half a year later, I gave it another attempt, and was able to get a bit further after consulting an online walk through for the bit giving me troubles, but by then whatever magic it held for me was gone.
Have finished, but either bland/uninteresting (to me), or just not what I'm looking for:
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance - More an action game than an RPG.
The Bard's Tale - Some decent humour, but not enough to make up for the otherwise bland game.
Crackdown - Not really an RPG at all, but I've still seen it recommended. I've never been a fan of the GTA style, free roam worlds where you have to make your own fun.
Demon Stone - A nifty little game, not offering much of substance, but it didn't overstay its welcome and offered some fun. Probably doesn't hurt that I'm a bit of an R A Salvatore fanboy.
Dungeon Siege 1, 2 + expansions - one of the better Diablo clones, had some fun with but don't need any more of the type at this time.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Had some decent characteristics, I've done most things that can be done in it, but it never really drew me in, and the main storyline was rather bland.
Eternal Sonata - I liked it to start off with, but in retrospect any appeal had was probably due to it being my first JRPG, plus the music. That appeal definitely didn't last, I was well and truly over it by the end of the game, plus the ending is one of the worst (and longest) I have ever seen.
Fable 1, 2 & 3 - To me they are kind of like RPG lite, something in my mind that you would introduce someone who had never played an RPG before to the genre. Had some minor fun with each for a few hours, but no real fun after that. Maybe some of the plot of the first one was okay, I can't really remember, I just remember that the ending of the second one was terrible enough to wipe out any good experiences I might have had with the series up to that point.
Hellgate London - I enjoyed some of the game play, but there was never enough there to have justified me finishing it.
Heroes of Might and Magic 4 & 5 - Not worth mentioning when compared to 3.
King's Bounty - Pretty decent, similar to HoM&M, but Heroes is enough for me in that genre.
Lost Odyssey - One of the few JRPGs I've finished. I really enjoyed most of it, the characters and little writtern stories were highlights for me, but the game play and story by the end of the 3rd disc had worn past their welcome, leaving the 4th disc a chore to get through.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance - Was entertaining enough for a bit, but the focus was never on the story, just on levelling up and being able to play as your favourite superheroes as a team.
Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 + expansions - I don't know why, but I never really enjoyed this series. I enjoyed the character leveling up elements, but the stories and quests bored me to tears.
Sudeki - I remember looking forward to it quite a bit, but was disappointed when it came out and only finished about half of it.
Titan Quest - A good Diablo clone, have come close to finishing a few times with different characters, but never had enough appeal to quite let me complete it.
Torchlight - another good Diablo clone, but by now, apart from the original Diablo series, I've had quite enough of the sub genre
Have but never got drawn into or haven't finished much more than the opening act/area:
Arcanum - I would actually love to give this game another shot, the world and character development seemed quite interesting. Now where did I stash those cds...
Deus Ex & Invisible War - I dabble now and again with these games, I like both (blasphemy I know concerning IW), but I always seem to play for a few days, have some fun, then by the time I know it a couple months with have passed before I come back again.
Fallout 2 - Was planning on playing this before 3, but had some computer problems at the time or something and lost my saves part way through, never really felt like going back to it
Final Fantasy XIII - JRPGs can be fun, but they're not really my thing, and the low opinions on the internet (at least about the first 20 hours) means I've no real interest in starting this game. Maybe once I've started and gotten into it I'll enjoy it, but at this time it'll take a really good reason to play this next.
Gothic 3 - Just never got into it, maybe had other games I wanted to play at the time I purchased it, I can't recall now.
The Last Remnant - JRPGs don't have much appeal to me, but this one may be worth a shot if I can be talked into playing it.
Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader - also by Black Isle, thought I'd love it based on that fact alone, but just couldn't get into it.
Loki - I got it cheap, but I never even installed it.
Might and Magic series - have 6 to 9 I think, but when I got them the graphics were rather dated, and after playing the start of each I never got drawn in.
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer - Started playing this, but lost my saves part way through (upgraded my computer I think). Some fun, but not enough to replay what I've already done.
Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor - Each time I tried to play it I found no fun whatsoever.
Sacred 1 & 2 - Had some fun with these Diablo clones, but never enough to keep me playing for long.
Silverfall - Another Diablo clone, never played it long enough to get a real opinion of it.
This turned out to be quite a lot longer than I intended so the short version is I'm looking for an RPG that I haven't already played with a great story on either PC or Xbox, preferably not a JRPG, but that's not a strict condition, and definitely no MMOs. I've included a list of RPGs I've played at the end, so please look for your suggestions first before posting.
<spoiler=Long version>
Like many of you out there, I love my RPGs, but that seems to be my problem as I've already played most of the common suggestions that come up in threads like this. The main feature I look for are compelling stories; game play and exploration are great and all, but if I don't have a story that really pulls me in I usually get sick of a game before I've finished it. This usually ends up with me plowing through the last acts of a game and finishing on a low note, leaving me generally disappointed with the game, no matter how much fun I may have had at the beginning. Ideally the game I'm looking for will have a great story, an interesting world, good characters, and a good leveling and loot system, but we wouldn't want me getting too greedy now would we.
I'm mainly looking for a game I haven't played on PC or Xbox, or a reason to try one of the games I tried but never got drawn into. Just to reiterate, I don't have any Sony or Nintendo consoles, so no matter how great any individual game is on your chosen platform I'm afraid I just don't have the money to go out and buy that console and the game, which means that I have indeed missed out on some of the classics over the years.
I mostly prefer western RPGs, the turn based combat and linearity of JRPGs aren't the style of play I'm primarily looking for. The stories in these games can be pretty good, but the other elements usually drag my overall rating down a couple of notches. Still feel free to recommend some if you can add some justification on why that JRPG should catch my notice.
While this isn't a major factor, graphics have definitely improved over the years, so maybe games from the last decade will catch my attention easier. This is a bit hypocritical of me though, seeing as most of my all time favourites were made probably 10 or more years ago, but I guess I've been a bit spoiled with the looks of today's games. This is not to say don't recommend any old games, but it's just something to keep in mind.
Please, no MMOs, I've played a few (WoW, Champions Online, Guild Wars, EVE Online). None interested me enough to play for more than a month, and I have no interest in playing any of them again.
Now I've been playing RPGs for a long time, and I don't want suggestions of the ones I already know and love, so I'm going to add a list of all the RPGs I own. I'm sure I'll miss a few, but what's there will give you a good idea of what I like. I've also included some games which aren't RPGs, but have RPG type elements, and often get mentioned in these threads anyway. I've also added some short notes for any of those interested in looking for new RPGs of their own. Please note, these opinions are subjective, reflecting only the experiences I've had with these games, and in no way denigrate how you feel about any individual game. Feel free to disagree, and to give any reasons why in an intelligent manner if you feel the need, but no flaming.
<spoiler=List of RPGs>
Love:
Baldur's Gate 1 & 2 + expansions - My all time favourite series, and old one but still good.
Mass Effect 1 & 2 - Not really RPG enough for me, but the story and characters are strong.
Planescape: Torment - Everything about this game is amazing, the story, characters, character system and game play. A must have for all RPG fans even if it is over a decade old now.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic - I'm a huge Star Wars fan, and the story, game play and characters are on the whole quite decent. I have played the second one, but to me it never lived up to the success of the first game, and the ending disappointed me.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines - Quite buggy, and the ending felt unfinished or rushed (from memory), but when I look back on it I only remember the good parts. Has a good world, and an interesting level up system.
Thought were decent:
Bioshock - Good world, decent first 2 thirds of the story, fun powers.
Borderlands + DLC - I've had some fun playing through the game with a friend, but the lack of any real story and having a focus on gaining loot instead really aren't what I'm looking for.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic - Despite some low reviews I've seen online, I actually really liked this game. Sure, it wasn't perfect, but it drew me in enough that I overlooked its flaws.
Diablo 2 - Good game for the time, but none of its clones have had any lasting appeal.
Dragon Age - I had fun playing it, but I guess I've played too many RPGs now that nothing stood out for me. The game did nothing wrong, but at the same time it was never able to captivate me.
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind + expansions - Good mix of story, exploration and game play.
Fallout 1 - Pretty good game, played it just before no. 3 came out. I liked most aspects of the game, but I guess I've been a little spoiled by more recent games graphics wise, it's getting harder to play games with more dated graphics that I don't already know and love. If I can get drawn into the story quickly enough though, I'll be happy no matter what the game looks like.
Fallout 3 - Not really a true RPG, but still had a lot of fun with it until I finally chose to play the main story, which left me with such a sour taste in my mouth that it spoiled any chance of going back to the game just to explore. As such, I have not played any of the DLC.
Heroes of Might and Magic 3 - A favourite that I still love, but I'm looking for a game without RTS elements, where I can play as the hero instead of commanding an army.
Icewind Dale 1 & 2 + HoW - Good, in the same vein as Baldur's Gate, but lacking the strong story.
Jade Empire - Not as strong as some of Bioware's other games, but still a decent game.
Penny Arcade Adventures - I liked them, some good humour, but more of an action/adventure game with RPG elements.
Pokemon - Mainly Red version. Brings back some good childhood memories, but I can't see any games of this type being something I'd be looking for. But who knows, maybe it's where I'm not looking that a few undiscovered gems are hiding.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R - I finished about 90% of the game when I first got it, but never finished it, or lost the save or something. I enjoyed a lot of what it had to offer, and may return to it now that I've recently bought the Pripyat expansion.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption - I can't remember much about it now, but I remember enjoying it at the time I played it.
The Witcher - I have to confess that I never actually finished this game. I loved the idea of it, and the direction it headed in, especially compared with other RPGs being released nowadays, but there was always something that kept myself from getting fully drawn into the game, and when I ran across an area where there was no clear way forward I just stopped playing. Half a year later, I gave it another attempt, and was able to get a bit further after consulting an online walk through for the bit giving me troubles, but by then whatever magic it held for me was gone.
Have finished, but either bland/uninteresting (to me), or just not what I'm looking for:
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance - More an action game than an RPG.
The Bard's Tale - Some decent humour, but not enough to make up for the otherwise bland game.
Crackdown - Not really an RPG at all, but I've still seen it recommended. I've never been a fan of the GTA style, free roam worlds where you have to make your own fun.
Demon Stone - A nifty little game, not offering much of substance, but it didn't overstay its welcome and offered some fun. Probably doesn't hurt that I'm a bit of an R A Salvatore fanboy.
Dungeon Siege 1, 2 + expansions - one of the better Diablo clones, had some fun with but don't need any more of the type at this time.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Had some decent characteristics, I've done most things that can be done in it, but it never really drew me in, and the main storyline was rather bland.
Eternal Sonata - I liked it to start off with, but in retrospect any appeal had was probably due to it being my first JRPG, plus the music. That appeal definitely didn't last, I was well and truly over it by the end of the game, plus the ending is one of the worst (and longest) I have ever seen.
Fable 1, 2 & 3 - To me they are kind of like RPG lite, something in my mind that you would introduce someone who had never played an RPG before to the genre. Had some minor fun with each for a few hours, but no real fun after that. Maybe some of the plot of the first one was okay, I can't really remember, I just remember that the ending of the second one was terrible enough to wipe out any good experiences I might have had with the series up to that point.
Hellgate London - I enjoyed some of the game play, but there was never enough there to have justified me finishing it.
Heroes of Might and Magic 4 & 5 - Not worth mentioning when compared to 3.
King's Bounty - Pretty decent, similar to HoM&M, but Heroes is enough for me in that genre.
Lost Odyssey - One of the few JRPGs I've finished. I really enjoyed most of it, the characters and little writtern stories were highlights for me, but the game play and story by the end of the 3rd disc had worn past their welcome, leaving the 4th disc a chore to get through.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance - Was entertaining enough for a bit, but the focus was never on the story, just on levelling up and being able to play as your favourite superheroes as a team.
Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 + expansions - I don't know why, but I never really enjoyed this series. I enjoyed the character leveling up elements, but the stories and quests bored me to tears.
Sudeki - I remember looking forward to it quite a bit, but was disappointed when it came out and only finished about half of it.
Titan Quest - A good Diablo clone, have come close to finishing a few times with different characters, but never had enough appeal to quite let me complete it.
Torchlight - another good Diablo clone, but by now, apart from the original Diablo series, I've had quite enough of the sub genre
Have but never got drawn into or haven't finished much more than the opening act/area:
Arcanum - I would actually love to give this game another shot, the world and character development seemed quite interesting. Now where did I stash those cds...
Deus Ex & Invisible War - I dabble now and again with these games, I like both (blasphemy I know concerning IW), but I always seem to play for a few days, have some fun, then by the time I know it a couple months with have passed before I come back again.
Fallout 2 - Was planning on playing this before 3, but had some computer problems at the time or something and lost my saves part way through, never really felt like going back to it
Final Fantasy XIII - JRPGs can be fun, but they're not really my thing, and the low opinions on the internet (at least about the first 20 hours) means I've no real interest in starting this game. Maybe once I've started and gotten into it I'll enjoy it, but at this time it'll take a really good reason to play this next.
Gothic 3 - Just never got into it, maybe had other games I wanted to play at the time I purchased it, I can't recall now.
The Last Remnant - JRPGs don't have much appeal to me, but this one may be worth a shot if I can be talked into playing it.
Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader - also by Black Isle, thought I'd love it based on that fact alone, but just couldn't get into it.
Loki - I got it cheap, but I never even installed it.
Might and Magic series - have 6 to 9 I think, but when I got them the graphics were rather dated, and after playing the start of each I never got drawn in.
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer - Started playing this, but lost my saves part way through (upgraded my computer I think). Some fun, but not enough to replay what I've already done.
Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor - Each time I tried to play it I found no fun whatsoever.
Sacred 1 & 2 - Had some fun with these Diablo clones, but never enough to keep me playing for long.
Silverfall - Another Diablo clone, never played it long enough to get a real opinion of it.
