Poll: Which RPG Battle System do you prefer?

[NathanAjax]

Western RPG's FTW. Mass Effect probably had the best fighting system IMHO.

 

[SteakHeart]

I like ATB. For example, it just ruins it for me when I pull off a devastating attack, only to have the enemy use a healing device they pulled out of their ass once they get their turn.

 

[KurtzGallahad]

I like The bioware NwN gameplay, real time turn based with pause function, also you don't have to hi a button every time you want to attack

 

[caprisun]

I thought the CTB in final fanyasy 10 was brilliant

 

[Simriel]

non turn based ones.

 

[Omega NZ]

I tend to like the CTB's more, but I don't mind ATB's either.

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

I hate turn based combat unless it's in a Pokemon game. It's one of the major reasons I don't play JRPGs beyond Pokemon and Golden Sun.

 

[high_castle]

I hate turn-based with a passion. It works in older games (such as KOTOR or Baldur's Gate), but I much prefer the quick-paced and more realistic real-time combat. Listen, strategy has a role to play no matter what. Look at Dragon Age, which has real-time combat and is still a highly tactical game. Part of this achieved by the radial menu which pauses the game to let you plan out your spells or your next talent. But they don't force you to wait. And you can key every spell to a quick button so if you don't want to pause, you don't have to. I like it. It worked really well, as the battles were all fast-paced and exciting. Mass Effect had a good system too (I know shooter fans found it one-note, but as an RPG fan I really liked it). Turn-based is so dull, especially in these newer titles. And what battle in real life is going to let everyone stand around taking turns to hit each other? Just stupid.

 

[veloper]

I hate turn-based with a passion. It works in older games (such as KOTOR or Baldur's Gate)

Those are RTWP, not TB.

And what battle in real life is going to let everyone stand around taking turns to hit each other? Just stupid.

Not stupid, abstract. A case of gameplay over realism.
Turn based is the game for the thinking man with a cup of coffee.

 

[JediMB]

Variety is the spice of life.

 

[DracoSuave]

I'm a tactical RPG fan. Neither the ATB nor CTB work well with such.

Depends. Final Fantasy Tactics was the -first- Final Fantasy to use CTB...


...but the fact this poll only has ATB or CTB shows a lack of knowledge of RPG turn mechanics.

There's:

Live action (Oblivion, Fallout 3, Borderlands)
Pause/Play Initiative Turn Real-Time Based (Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights)
Pause/Play Real-time Non-Turn based (Dragon Age)
Discrete Turn based (Vandal Hearts)
Classic Turn based (Earthbound, Dragon Warrior anything, the most common mechanic in JRPGs until next generation systems)

And that's not even counting screwed up hybrids/experiments, or what usually comes out of Square.


Also turn-based always has a place with some gamers. Some gamers actually want a game they can play with one hand while smoking a cigarette. Kudos to games like Earthbound or Chrono Cross for actually accomodating the one-handed control scheme.

 

[Pimppeter2]

I prefer real time, but ATB is my prefered of the poll options

 

[NIHILHATE]

I DESPISE turn based combat. But I love RPGs. Every RPG in the world should be legally required have a control system like Oblivion/Fallout 3. KOTOR 2 with Oblivion controls..... (Drools for a week).....

 

[traceur_]

I don't really care. As long as the combat looks cool then I'm fine with either.

Though I really like the look of the upcoming Final Fantasy 13's battle system. Don't know how turn-based it is but it consists of a refilling gauge that determines what sort of attacks you can use, basic "attack" takes up one quarter, allowing for four attacks in a combo, moves like "Firaga" take up three quarters, allowing for Firaga plus one attack, etc. Really looking forward to it.