Need a new game?

[Aric Flowers]

Just finished ME3 and was more than disappointed with the ending. But I'
m not gonna beat that dead horse. I'm just looking for another great game like that with decisions and good character development. I would rather get the opinion of actual gamers rather than a top 10 list online. The ME series really brought me on to RPG's, so I'd really like to keep playing them, I just only really know of the Triple A titles. Feel free to shout out any favorites old or new because I just had knee surgery and will be bed-ridden for the next 5 days.

Already Have:
Skyrim
Heavy Rain
Dragon age 1&2

 

[Asita]

Haven't played it myself, but I have heard good things about the Witcher series.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Fallout New Vegas is probably the best open world RPG around at the moment (yes, even better than Skyrim).

The world just feels so much more alive than Skyrim.

 

[dyre]

Witcher 2 really does the "decision" part right. Plus it has much better storytelling than the ME series. In terms of character development, you're given someone who already has a personality. However, the game goes to great lengths to show that the more difficult choice is not between "I'm a good guy" and "I'm a bad guy" (as in most Bioware game choices), but between realistic choices in a terrible (realistic) world in which doing the right thing isn't nearly as black and white, and innocent people will suffer, bad guys will get away with bad things, etc regardless of what you do. It's probably the best modern RPG you can get your hands on.

Deus Ex Human Revolution does an okay job on decisions (and incorporates them pretty well into gameplay, with a few exceptions), but it concentrates a lot more on storytelling and finding out truths in a world where everyone has their own goals and are perfectly willing to lie to you to further those goals (this includes governments and mega corporations). It's a game with some flaws, but imo it makes up for them with some fantastic storytelling and world creation.

Besides that, you could try some older games, which are harder to get into for someone used to AAA titles but often offer more roleplaying opportunities and cooler stories than newer games (though, I'd say Witcher 2 is just as good as the older RPGs).

Baldur's Gate 2 - awesome storytelling, awesome companion interaction / character romances (best romances in any Bioware game, I'd say), good gameplay (based on D&D).
Arcanum - awesome storytelling, cool Victorian setting, but pretty mediocre gameplay
Planescape Torment - might be harder to get into and more confusing than the previous two games, but it probably has the best story out of all of them and a bunch of really awesome, memorable characters.

All of those games have plenty of decisions, but only Planescape Torment really shines in terms of character development. Seriously, that game makes Mass Effect's "I'm a good person" vs "I'm a bad person" development look like a joke.

I'd recommend Witcher 2 first. It's a fantastic game made by a great company that never charges for DLC, and it's fairly easy to get into for people new to RPGs.

 

[smearyllama]

As dyre said, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is really good. I haven't gotten to play much of it yet, thanks to this hot summer weather (my Xbox does not like the heat), but it's really cool.

 

[daveman247]

Just finished ME3 and was more than disappointed with the ending. But I'
m not gonna beat that dead horse. I'm just looking for another great game like that with decisions and good character development. I would rather get the opinion of actual gamers rather than a top 10 list online. The ME series really brought me on to RPG's, so I'd really like to keep playing them, I just only really know of the Triple A titles. Feel free to shout out any favorites old or new because I just had knee surgery and will be bed-ridden for the next 5 days.

Already Have:
Skyrim
Heavy Rain
Dragon age 1&2

I'll just echo others.
-Human revolution does quite well with the "choices" thing, but its down to how you play rather than through characters.
-Fallout new vegas can vary wildly depending on your decisions - if you can put up with the average gameplay.

-PC players say the witcher 2 is quite good choices/ character wise. Not sure what platform you play on but the 360 version has just came out ^_^

 

[Mr.Mattress]

... World of Warcraft? Yeah, that's really the only RPG I play with (Although I too have Skyrim, I don't really RP with it). My advice is, get all the WoW Games, buy a ton of cards, and wait for the upcoming Expansion Pack (Complete with PANDAS!)

 

[distortedreality]

Second Witcher 2, DXHR, New Vegas and Alpha Protocol.

Great games.

 

[Strain42]

Why not Zoidberg? (sorry, couldn't resist)

Um...I would recommend the Saints Row games. SR3 even has a bit of a level up system so it's slightly closer to an RPG.

I dunno, I'm not really the best source for this kinda thing.

 

[Baralak]

If you want RPGs, The Witcher 2, definitely. It's out on PC, and just came out on Xbox 360. Alpha Protocol is also really amazing with the roleplaying, but it's pretty buggy.

 

[Aric Flowers]

Thanks you guys this was extremely helpful. Gonna start off with Deus: Ex HR because I just watched the 5min trailer and it looks like nothing I've played before. Then definitely the Witcher.

 

[mysecondlife]

Just finished ME3 and was more than disappointed with the ending. But I'
m not gonna beat that dead horse. I'm just looking for another great game like that with decisions and good character development. I would rather get the opinion of actual gamers rather than a top 10 list online. The ME series really brought me on to RPG's, so I'd really like to keep playing them, I just only really know of the Triple A titles. Feel free to shout out any favorites old or new because I just had knee surgery and will be bed-ridden for the next 5 days.

Already Have:
Skyrim
Heavy Rain
Dragon age 1&2

Oh pfft. From the title of the thread, I thought you were offering.

KOTOR is my favorite RPG and perhaps my favorite game ever. Get it for PC.

 

[dimensional]

Well theres always Ar Tonelico 2 that has impactful decisions in the way the story flows and good character development (for the mains) honestly I wished they would shut the hell up sometimes, but I cant recommend that game in good faith I dont think it is for you.

As a few others have suggested trying an old school isometric RPG may be worth a go just bear in mind they are not particularly easy (actually most start really hard then swing to really easy later) the character development is not usually great but the personality of some companions is good you can also make a fair few decisions on how you play and level up but it is possible to make the wrong decisions and make life very difficult for yourself.

Just want 2 classic RPGs from the past then try Baldurs Gate 2 and FFVII you may dislike one or both but you could also do a lot worse than try them.

 

[Sean Hollyman]

I'd suggest Fallout, it'll keep you entertained!

 

[spartandude]

Witcher 2 really does the "decision" part right. Plus it has much better storytelling than the ME series. In terms of character development, you're given someone who already has a personality. However, the game goes to great lengths to show that the more difficult choice is not between "I'm a good guy" and "I'm a bad guy" (as in most Bioware game choices), but between realistic choices in a terrible (realistic) world in which doing the right thing isn't nearly as black and white, and innocent people will suffer, bad guys will get away with bad things, etc regardless of what you do. It's probably the best modern RPG you can get your hands on.

could not have put it better myself
and with amazing gameplay and gorgeous visuals if you own a PC or Xbox i cannot stress how much you need to get this game

 

[Aric Flowers]

@"mysecondlife"
Oh pfft. From the title of the thread, I thought you were offering.

I just noticed I ended it with a question mark rather than a period. That's my bad. In my head it sounded like a question.