Convince Me That I'm Wrong About RPGs

[WildSeraph]

I know a LOT of you are going to abhor me for saying this, but I feel I need to say it.

So, I was talking to some people about Dungeon Fighter Online, an MMORPG, and we were on the subject of Skill builds. Now, I'm not an expert at this game, and I simply asked what skills were good to get for one of the game's classes. I was directed to a "Skill build simulator", that crunches exact numbers for every level of every skill in the game! Using this, I discovered that my build was "terrible", yet I've been getting by pretty well with it.

Apparently, you're NOT supposed to base your stats and skills on what you use often and what you don't! No, every single aspect of customization this game comes down to whether the simulator likes it or not. This got me thinking about other RPGs I've played. In every single one of them, somebody's complained that I was doing things completely wrong. I've been forced by others to start over, no matter how well I play, even if it's a single-player game! I then began to ask myself questions: Why is it that, if I don't do everything PERFECT, I've screwed up? How can so many people (every RPG fan I've ever met) care so much about what a computer or walkthrough says? Why does everybody else get all of this Skill and Stat and Equipment stuff, yet I always "ruin" my characters completely? And most importantly: How many RPGs have REAL customization? Do RPGs really have billions of customization options? Or do they have three or four "options", and a billion fuckups?

This has turned me off from the entire RPG genre. And, in case you haven't noticed, a LOT of games these days have Stats and Skills and all that jazz. I don't want to go the rest of my life unable to enjoy these games. So please, Escapist. Convince me that I'm horribly, horribly wrong.

EDIT: It's not just people I play with that are unimpressed with me. I've found "Easy" games seriously hard, and I'm positive some of it is actually because of my decisions. Maybe I just think differently from everyone else, but a stat build in a game that I thought was pretty solid has, more than once, made it a LOT harder. It can't be ALL others' fault. I'm seriously bad when it comes to RPG elements, even in simple games like Pokemon.

 

[Gxas]

I'm not going to try and convince you of anything because it sounds to me like you are pretty set in how you feel about this. If you don't like them, then good for you, go play something else, no one is forcing you to play these games.

 

[WildSeraph]

I'm not going to try and convince you of anything because it sounds to me like you are pretty set in how you feel about this. If you don't like them, then good for you, go play something else, no one is forcing you to play these games.

But I WANT to play them. I WANT to be proven wrong. I've played RPGs that I've loved. But after these thoughts, I can't sit down and play one any more.

 

[Radeonx]

If you don't enjoy it, then don't play it.
And if someone is telling you how to play a single player game, then tell them to fuck off and let you play it how you want to play it.

 

[Gxas]

I'm not going to try and convince you of anything because it sounds to me like you are pretty set in how you feel about this. If you don't like them, then good for you, go play something else, no one is forcing you to play these games.

But I WANT to play them. I WANT to be proven wrong. I've played RPGs that I've loved. But after these thoughts, I can't sit down and play one any more.

Then, it sounds like you are pretty set in how you think about this and don't like them anymore. So, my suggestion is to get over it or go play something else. Honestly, if something like that is keeping you from playing games that you say you want to enjoy, then you've got bigger problems than you think.

 

[ultrachicken]

If you're getting through the game just fine, then you don't need to find the perfect build, and you haven't ruined your character. I also highly doubt that every single person you've met who enjoys RPGs is absolutely set on creating the best possible character.

While such things are prevalent in MMOs, I'm having a hard time believing what you say about all single player RPGs being the same. You're going to need to give some good, specific examples.

 

[Altorin]

I have a similar problem

I have to do everything in a game for me to feel that I've "completed" it and move on. Most RPGs are not good at this though because there is usually a LOT of stuff to do. And things that are mutually exclusive to one another. All that being said, I would never force someone else to start over. I might tell them a better route, but I wouldn't expect them to follow my advice.

My fix for this, is finding a friend who enjoys watching me play RPGs, and only play them when I'm with him. That way, I can look past the "perfect play" in order to have fun with my friend. In this case, I'm playing Fallout 3

 

[AlternatePFG]

Min-maxing is only important in MMO's when you're competing against/with other players. In normal RPGs, it doesn't truly matter, you can play however you want (in good RPG's at least), unless you find some way to fuck it up extremely.

 

[Arisato-kun]

Wall o' text

I think it's kind of silly that you're basing the entirety of your future RPG experiences off of Dungeon Fighter.

I can't think of a single possible RPG that requires a set build to beat. Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls, The Tales of Series,Fallout, Final Fantasy, Shin Megami Tensei etc. if you're resourceful enough you'll get through with whatever tools you prefer to use.

You shouldn't be letting other people tell you how to play the game. Sure, advice is helpful and you might find something new to utilize that you never thought of and that's always a plus. But just play how you want to play it. If you can get through then you're obviously doing something right.

 

[The Wykydtron]

You sound like me after my friend pointed out that my Dragonage character was the worst he'd ever seen due to my hatred of planning anything and my theory that the more passive abilities i have the better... I stand by my shitty character to this day and so should you good sir!

I also refused to change my party's armour as it would destroy their individuality, damn the armour bonuses to hell!

 

[Original Bubs]

Sounds more like the people that you have problems with. I've been playing rpgs and (usually) playing them wrong for a long time, and just like you, I've gotten along fine in them. There are just people who don't like playing with faulty characters, but that's part of an RPG's appeal to me. If I have a perfect character, then there won't be enough challenge to keep me interested. It makes more sense to do it my own flawed way.

 

[WildSeraph]

If you're getting through the game just fine, then you don't need to find the perfect build, and you haven't ruined your character. I also highly doubt that every single person you've met who enjoys RPGs is absolutely set on creating the best possible character.

While such things are prevalent in MMOs, I'm having a hard time believing what you say about all single player RPGs being the same. You're going to need to give some good, specific examples.

Example: I was a good way through Deus Ex. My friend was over, and saw me playing. He instantly asked about my stats. Apparently, I was relying too much on hacking and non-heavy weapon combat (I was trying to play with stealth). He went on about how I'd be twice as far in the game if I had payed next to no attention to anything besides guns. He yelled at me for at least ten minutes before I got fed up and just quit the game. I never finished it, because I didn't want to start all over and he said "I told you so" after dying more than twice on any part.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

You're letting other people's opinions on how you should play get to you too much. If you enjoy your build, and it works for you, then screw what they think, it's a good build.

 

[WildSeraph]

Sounds more like the people that you have problems with. I've been playing rpgs and (usually) playing them wrong for a long time, and just like you, I've gotten along fine in them. There are just people who don't like playing with faulty characters, but that's part of an RPG's appeal to me. If I have a perfect character, then there won't be enough challenge to keep me interested. It makes more sense to do it my own flawed way.

Yeah, I'm not sure if my problem is with the games themselves, or with the people I'm around making me feel like it's a problem with the game. But so many people can't be wrong, right? I mean, I understand that doing things like only raising attack is a bad idea, and everyone should know that. But when an entire IRC channel is convincing me to restart a game because I put things up in a balanced way, I can't help ut feel like I'm seriously making a mistake.

 

[jailbreaker]

We can't disprove something you learned through experience by talking to you. Actions and pictures both speak louder than words, but I say experiences are priceless. So, convince yourself by changing your play experience.

The problem here is that you're playing an MMORPG. If you don't want people telling you what to do or not do, play a single-player RPG. I personally recommend Chrono Trigger and The World Ends With You, both for the Nintendo DS (or SNES, for CT.) Alternatively, if you're looking for some real customizability, go for The Elder Scrolls. I like Morrowind better than Oblivion, but that's like saying I like double-chocolate ice cream better than double-chocolate cake. Which is true.

During your playthrough of these games, try not to worry about the statistics. Focus on whatever you play RPGs for. Focus on the fun parts.


Another thing. I think statistics are becoming less prevalent as time goes on. Or maybe they're just becoming simpler?

 

[ultrachicken]

If you're getting through the game just fine, then you don't need to find the perfect build, and you haven't ruined your character. I also highly doubt that every single person you've met who enjoys RPGs is absolutely set on creating the best possible character.

While such things are prevalent in MMOs, I'm having a hard time believing what you say about all single player RPGs being the same. You're going to need to give some good, specific examples.

Example: I was a good way through Deus Ex. My friend was over, and saw me playing. He instantly asked about my stats. Apparently, I was relying too much on hacking and non-heavy weapon combat (I was trying to play with stealth). He went on about how I'd be twice as far in the game if I had payed next to no attention to anything besides guns. He yelled at me for at least ten minutes before I got fed up and just quit the game. I never finished it, because I didn't want to start all over and he said "I told you so" after dying more than twice on any part.

It sounds to me like you just cave almost instantaneously the second you're faced with doubt in your build. I played through Deus Ex as a stealthy hacker who specialized in pistols and melee weaponry, and I finished it just fine. The only stats in that game which are a waste are swimming and environment.

 

[Neverhoodian]

Don't give in to peer pressure. There might be builds that are considered "better" than others, but really it all boils down to the gaming experience you want. Going with unorthodox skills can work to your advantage, as it can throw the enemy off guard. Besides, overcoming obstacles with a so-called "weak" character build is all the more satisfying.

This is why I like single player RPGs more, as it encourages players to build the type of character they want to play, not the character that will win the most PvP instances.

 

[WildSeraph]

So you let someone ruin a good game for you because you didn't play how he wanted you to ? That's crap. Should of told him to fuk off !!

I guess I didn't word my first statement well. It's not just people I play with that are unimpressed with me. I've found "Easy" games seriously hard, and I'm positive some of it is actually because of my decisions. Maybe I just think differently from everyone else, but a stat build in a game that I thought was pretty solid has, more than once, made it a LOT harder. It can't be ALL others' fault. I'm seriously bad when it comes to RPG elements, even in simple games like Pokemon.