I need a good fantasy RPG (or hell, any RPG)
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I'm not big on JRPGs either, but I really liked Vagrant Story.
It's more of an action adventure, like Fable, except when you press the attack button time freezes and a sphere appears, representing the reach of your weapon, allowing you to select which body part you want to strike (similar to VATS in Fallout 3). The plot structure and art design is very reminiscent of the original Metal Gear Solid, if you've played that. Full of interesting characters, a great atmosphere and lots of twists and turns in the narrative.
The graphics are stylised enough that they're not really dated:
And the weapon crafting mechanic is surprisingly satisfying. You can even name your own swords/axes/polearms/maces/etc.
It's more of an action adventure, like Fable, except when you press the attack button time freezes and a sphere appears, representing the reach of your weapon, allowing you to select which body part you want to strike (similar to VATS in Fallout 3). The plot structure and art design is very reminiscent of the original Metal Gear Solid, if you've played that. Full of interesting characters, a great atmosphere and lots of twists and turns in the narrative.
The graphics are stylised enough that they're not really dated:
And the weapon crafting mechanic is surprisingly satisfying. You can even name your own swords/axes/polearms/maces/etc.
Many people ask about RPGs lately. There really isn't that many around as there used to be. There is plenty of good ones on handhelds but none of them can be bought in my country. I don't think I can mention anything new that would be worth it, except seconding the Gothic series because they really make a hole in your list.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is about as fantasy as it gets.
White Knight Chronicles is also a splendid choice. But I would recommend buying the sequel instead, because it comes with a remastered copy of the first game with it so there's no missing out. I wish more games did that.
Failing that, Dragon Age: Origins is also an amazing game.
The Star Ocean series is also a great choice.
As well as anything in the Tales series.
White Knight Chronicles is also a splendid choice. But I would recommend buying the sequel instead, because it comes with a remastered copy of the first game with it so there's no missing out. I wish more games did that.
Failing that, Dragon Age: Origins is also an amazing game.
The Star Ocean series is also a great choice.
As well as anything in the Tales series.
Go play the original Betrayal at Krondor. It looks incredibly dated nowadays but I still think gameplay-wise was one of the best RPGs to date. It did the whole 3d first person thing before others did. Combat is controlled in 3rd person on a grid. There's an interesting health/stamina/mana system (that is to say no mana). I mean, you've struggled through Deus Ex (where "the levels are ugly and everyone looks the same") so you seem the type to appreciate an old classic. The game is free and floating around somewhere online. Some performance recommendations:
a) play it with DosBOX
b) have a fiddle with gamma correction so dungeons aren't bright on modern machines, sucks away torch/spell management
c) change audio settings if the game locks up in the snow
d) don't look up gameguides, as there are a fair few "infinite x" bugs that guides will encourage but spoil things.
a) play it with DosBOX
b) have a fiddle with gamma correction so dungeons aren't bright on modern machines, sucks away torch/spell management
c) change audio settings if the game locks up in the snow
d) don't look up gameguides, as there are a fair few "infinite x" bugs that guides will encourage but spoil things.
Look up Avernum and Geneforge - both have huge demos and multiple games.
They're older, indie, and not really pretty, but DANG, they're cool. Avernum is an exercise in excellent world-building with many unique and interesting encounters, while Geneforge is another exercise in almost-as-good world-building with a stronger plot and a real moral struggle (it's not black and white, for once). I prefer Geneforge, but Avernum's gameplay is a bit better (if you like turn-based, anyways, but you'll hate both games if you dislike turn-based).
They're older, indie, and not really pretty, but DANG, they're cool. Avernum is an exercise in excellent world-building with many unique and interesting encounters, while Geneforge is another exercise in almost-as-good world-building with a stronger plot and a real moral struggle (it's not black and white, for once). I prefer Geneforge, but Avernum's gameplay is a bit better (if you like turn-based, anyways, but you'll hate both games if you dislike turn-based).
2012 was a pretty weak year for rpgs. Nothing has being announced for 2013 either. Hopfully we will get Dragon Age 3 and Fallout 4 at some point.
If age isn't an issue, then I'd suggest the Might and Magic series. Both 7 and 8 are the most recent and quite interesting - you can get them off GOG. M&M6 is also OK but if it matters you cannot get it in its own, it comes with all Might and Magic games 1-6 on GOG.
Other than that, let's see - Gothic should be something you'll like. Swords magic, fantasy, has all of it.
Arcanum Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - it's quite cool, indeed. It's D&D duirng the undistrial revolution, more or less.
Arx Fatalis is the granddaddy of Dishonored. And it's more of an RPG. It is first person again and you can do some interesting stuff, like combine items to get other items (stick and a piece of string for a fishing rod, for example). It also had a somewhat interesting take on magic - you draw runes in the air to invoke the effects. Or you can memorise a limited amount of combinations as quick cast spells.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (has nothing in common with the M&M series of games) is the son of Arx Fatalis, so the daddy of Dishonored. It is in many respects similar to its predecessor but has interesting stuff on its own.
Fate if you want yet another Diablo clone in the line of TL. I think that too had some former Blizzard employee in its team. Dunno, I played it for a bit and it seemed like Diablo 2.1 - pretty much all of it was the same. Then I stopped playing it - never got far into it.
Sword and Blade was another. A more eastern themed Diablo clone, if I remember correctly. It had cool concepts but I never managed to finish it because there was no indication that I had to grind more at lower levels. I reached the final boss (it was QUITE hard) but I was so underlevelled I had almost no chance. So I quite. Because I couldn't go back to previous settlements to grind responsibly. I didn't quite like it but then again, I'm willing to give it another shot now. If I can be bothered.
Titan Quest is another Diablo clone. I think one of the best ones. I don't know much else just that it's recommended to get the expansion.
Sacred 1 and 2 is not like Diablo but still an ARPG. I remember playing the first one - I never finished it, but it had the option to build your own combos and such.
Nox is another not Diablo but an ARPG (it came before Diablo) and it's an often overlooked game. It's quite interesting and engaging. It is also one of the few games I've seen where each character class has their own story. They travel through some of the same areas but otherwise it's different paths and challenges for each.
Icewind Dale - You don't have them but they are usually put in the same place as Baldur's Gate and Planescape. Or at least I always think of them in therms of these three - BG, P:T, and IWD - a D&D trio
The Temple of Elemental Evil - another D&D game but I haven't played it myself. From what I've heard, it's one of the best games in terms of incorporating the D&D mechanics. Haven't heard much else, I assume the rest is OK but not noteworthy.
And if we are to move over from traditional fantasy, Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines and Redemption. Bloodlines is hands down the better one. Redemption is also good, if you're into vampires - it has more of the setting, the story is passable, the gameplay...it portrays the powers of vampires quite well but the friendly AI is...how should I put it, somewhat mentally challenged, I suppose. Your teammates would just go all out in any fight - a rat? I BETTER SPEND ALL MY BLOOD RESERVES! Fortunately, you can turn off the AI and control them yourself. Other than that, it seems a bit like a Neverwinter Nights game with a coat of Vampire over it, as in, you'll have a group of teammates, you travel together, each has their inventory and items and so on. You even start in the dark ages using swords and travelling through crypts and so on, later on you get to modern times, though.
Other than that, let's see - Gothic should be something you'll like. Swords magic, fantasy, has all of it.
Arcanum Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura - it's quite cool, indeed. It's D&D duirng the undistrial revolution, more or less.
Arx Fatalis is the granddaddy of Dishonored. And it's more of an RPG. It is first person again and you can do some interesting stuff, like combine items to get other items (stick and a piece of string for a fishing rod, for example). It also had a somewhat interesting take on magic - you draw runes in the air to invoke the effects. Or you can memorise a limited amount of combinations as quick cast spells.
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (has nothing in common with the M&M series of games) is the son of Arx Fatalis, so the daddy of Dishonored. It is in many respects similar to its predecessor but has interesting stuff on its own.
Fate if you want yet another Diablo clone in the line of TL. I think that too had some former Blizzard employee in its team. Dunno, I played it for a bit and it seemed like Diablo 2.1 - pretty much all of it was the same. Then I stopped playing it - never got far into it.
Sword and Blade was another. A more eastern themed Diablo clone, if I remember correctly. It had cool concepts but I never managed to finish it because there was no indication that I had to grind more at lower levels. I reached the final boss (it was QUITE hard) but I was so underlevelled I had almost no chance. So I quite. Because I couldn't go back to previous settlements to grind responsibly. I didn't quite like it but then again, I'm willing to give it another shot now. If I can be bothered.
Titan Quest is another Diablo clone. I think one of the best ones. I don't know much else just that it's recommended to get the expansion.
Sacred 1 and 2 is not like Diablo but still an ARPG. I remember playing the first one - I never finished it, but it had the option to build your own combos and such.
Nox is another not Diablo but an ARPG (it came before Diablo) and it's an often overlooked game. It's quite interesting and engaging. It is also one of the few games I've seen where each character class has their own story. They travel through some of the same areas but otherwise it's different paths and challenges for each.
Icewind Dale - You don't have them but they are usually put in the same place as Baldur's Gate and Planescape. Or at least I always think of them in therms of these three - BG, P:T, and IWD - a D&D trio
The Temple of Elemental Evil - another D&D game but I haven't played it myself. From what I've heard, it's one of the best games in terms of incorporating the D&D mechanics. Haven't heard much else, I assume the rest is OK but not noteworthy.
And if we are to move over from traditional fantasy, Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines and Redemption. Bloodlines is hands down the better one. Redemption is also good, if you're into vampires - it has more of the setting, the story is passable, the gameplay...it portrays the powers of vampires quite well but the friendly AI is...how should I put it, somewhat mentally challenged, I suppose. Your teammates would just go all out in any fight - a rat? I BETTER SPEND ALL MY BLOOD RESERVES! Fortunately, you can turn off the AI and control them yourself. Other than that, it seems a bit like a Neverwinter Nights game with a coat of Vampire over it, as in, you'll have a group of teammates, you travel together, each has their inventory and items and so on. You even start in the dark ages using swords and travelling through crypts and so on, later on you get to modern times, though.
+1 for Bloodlines and Arx Fatalis from me too.
definitely recommend those two.
Also, If you don't mind going in the old school route- Eschalon: Book I&II were pretty awesome, with the third one coming soon (hopefully).
definitely recommend those two.
Also, If you don't mind going in the old school route- Eschalon: Book I&II were pretty awesome, with the third one coming soon (hopefully).
Your mention of Nox brought a small tear of happiness. I recommend it too.DoPo said:
I'll put in another vote Vampires: The Masquerade:Blood Lines, it's not really fantasy and it's not open world, but it's fairly similar to Deus Ex style games and definitely is an RPG (make sure to look for patches first though). In a list that includes Knights of the Republic, Deus Ex and Alpha Protocol this is the classic that deserves to be there (Also actually play Torment it, patch it up with this advice:
http://www.gog.com/news/mod_spotlight_planescape_torment_mods_guide
and put points into wisdom (and I hear if you buff constitution eventually you'll be regenning life faster than it can be taken away). When you get to the fighty bit in the second half and its beginning to drag, experiment with just running past the enemies
http://www.gog.com/news/mod_spotlight_planescape_torment_mods_guide
and put points into wisdom (and I hear if you buff constitution eventually you'll be regenning life faster than it can be taken away). When you get to the fighty bit in the second half and its beginning to drag, experiment with just running past the enemies
This is kind of Off topic but it's also related: I can't open spoiler tags. well, i can but there's nothing in them, so i can't read what games you already have. This is really bothering me, so please, if anyone knows how to fix it, help would be much appreciated.
Got one for ya: System Shock 2, if you can track it down. Though the graphics are dated, they can be fixed with mods, and it's pure gold in terms of gameplay.
It's a fair stretch, but the first Prototype has plenty of RPG in its DNA, though it's an action game.
And I'd also recommend Breath of Death VII and Cthulhu Saves the World. Just simple, old school RPG action with hilarity turned to 11.
It's a fair stretch, but the first Prototype has plenty of RPG in its DNA, though it's an action game.
And I'd also recommend Breath of Death VII and Cthulhu Saves the World. Just simple, old school RPG action with hilarity turned to 11.
Erm, that's weird. Do you have JavaScript disabled for some reason? That might be it. If not, I suggest you turn to the Tech Team [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/chat/Tech-Team].NoneOfYourBusiness said:
I know, rightMordekaien said:
About a couple of month ago I saw somebody mention it and I was like "Nox? Wait, why haven't I heard of it for years now?" So I think I'll make it a point to remind more people of its existence.Another vote for the Masquerade games, as well as the Gothic series - the third one is the best in my opinion, as it has the best gameplay mechanics, a good atmosphere and some unique ideas and features. Before you play though, patch it or you will learn why it was known as Bug 3 after release. Avoid Gothic 4, it has been dumbed down extremely and the story is... lacking.
We REALLY need people to specify just how far back they're willing to go when they post these "recommend me a game" threads. It would save a lot of time if, say, their tolerance for retro gaming only goes back 5-6 years.
But since the OP DIDN'T specify a time frame, I will punish him by recommending Akalabeth: World of Doom.
But since the OP DIDN'T specify a time frame, I will punish him by recommending Akalabeth: World of Doom.
I'll add to the pile of recommendations for Vampire: Bloodlines, especially if you track down the unofficial patches that have been released for it. It's been under community development post-release for years, and is a pretty unique game. Very replayable too, as your clan and dialogue choices can radically change the way it plays out.
Also, if you're in the mood for a Diablo-like ARPG, Sacred 2 is worth a look... I believe the Gold edition is on Steam for relatively cheap, and it's a HUGE game. Very different in tone and style from the Diablo series, but still an overhead click-fest but with some interesting combo mechanics, interesting classes, and mounts. Also, Blind Guardian on the soundtrack
Other than that, well, you've played pretty much everything I've seen lately.
Also, if you're in the mood for a Diablo-like ARPG, Sacred 2 is worth a look... I believe the Gold edition is on Steam for relatively cheap, and it's a HUGE game. Very different in tone and style from the Diablo series, but still an overhead click-fest but with some interesting combo mechanics, interesting classes, and mounts. Also, Blind Guardian on the soundtrack
Other than that, well, you've played pretty much everything I've seen lately.
for something you could actually Buy, i'd say Final Fantasy IX (9) its one of the best rpg's i've ever played. it has beautiful places and cities, lots of different monsters, characters that actually have personality, experiences and the damn game will make you laugh, cry and be angry through the whole story. master piece.
another is Okami, its a very fun and cute silly watercolour styled rpg where you're a wolf, finally a game where you're not a boring human. you can attack monsters by physical attacks or with a magical godly paintbrush and the game is extremly unique but feels almost like a Zelda game. very fun! lotsa hours on this too
a game you need to have the Super Nintendo emulation the game is called Tales of Phantasia the game was made only in Japan but it was so popular, fans made an English version and i played it all the way through and its my favorite rpg for Snes. just like FFIX the game has pretty places, characters you'd actually care about and the fighting in the game is different than anything i've ever seen. its kinda hard to describe but fighting takes place like a side scroller and you can control all you're characters or you can auto them. your leader you can do more attacks. this is a perfect way they could change Pokemon's battles to this style it would be awesome.
another is Okami, its a very fun and cute silly watercolour styled rpg where you're a wolf, finally a game where you're not a boring human. you can attack monsters by physical attacks or with a magical godly paintbrush and the game is extremly unique but feels almost like a Zelda game. very fun! lotsa hours on this too
a game you need to have the Super Nintendo emulation the game is called Tales of Phantasia the game was made only in Japan but it was so popular, fans made an English version and i played it all the way through and its my favorite rpg for Snes. just like FFIX the game has pretty places, characters you'd actually care about and the fighting in the game is different than anything i've ever seen. its kinda hard to describe but fighting takes place like a side scroller and you can control all you're characters or you can auto them. your leader you can do more attacks. this is a perfect way they could change Pokemon's battles to this style it would be awesome.