Poll: Your opinions on RPG combat

[Panicbox]

So I've been replaying Final Fantasy X and pretty much realised I am in love with the combat system. I like being able to take the fight as fast or slow as I need to so I can actually plan what I'm going to do ahead of time.

But a lot of people seem to dislike turn based combat in all its forms. Or at least that's what one would be led to believe since it seems to have faded into disuse among modern RPGs.

At first I just wanted to know how many people actually DO like turn based combat, but now I'm more interested in the kind of combat people want to see in games. And I don't mean your favourite RPG. FFX's combat is my favourite, but it's not exactly my favourite RPG as a whole.

So let me know what you think. I apologise in advance for forcing you to generalise your favourite combat system into one of the poll options, feel free to expand on it in your post.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

I like the typical turn based option.

It gives me time to think and plan out the most efficient and effective battle plan, and I love doing that.

Although I do like the kingdom Hearts actiony style a lot too.

 

[Saladfork]

Kind of funny, but I'd be cool with anything but turn-based combat.

I can and have had fun with games of every other scheme you listed, but turn-based gameplay just turns me off completely unless it's a strategy game (like Civilization or, to fit the RPG theme, Disgaea or Fallout).

For the record, I put 'other'.

 

[krazykidd]

Actually , FF1 doesn't have the same turn base combat as FFX. It's more like ff4 Through ff9 . Enemies will attack you rven if you don't input a command .

I voted for that anyways. It prefer with a ath gauge , because it makes things more fast paced and stressful , as long as you don't have wait mode on . I have to admit that the FFX/SMT:nocturne style of gameplay adds a strategic element to it which is fun , especially on hard bosses .

 

[Panicbox]

I didn't realise FF1 wasn't pure turn based. Admittedly I've only played it in Dawn of Souls form so they could have changed it.

Hopefully the poll is still clear enough. Still sorry for the wee mistake.

 

[Smertnik]

I strongly dislike turn-based stuff. And target-based combat, for that matter. I much rather have fast, direct combat a la ME or Amalur as opposed to, say, FF or DA:O.

 

[kyogen]

I like them all. Whether or not a given combat system is well-implemented differs from game to game.

 

[Fishyash]

I don't really mind unless it falls within the limbo between action and statistical/strategical based gameplay a la oblivion or even mass effect 1.

I think it should focus on either being tactical or action-based. I don't mind small inclusions of the other into it, but it's when they try and get a balance I don't really enjoy it.

 

[Kahunaburger]

Depends. If there's strategic depth (Fallout, Brogue, Witcher 2, etc.) turn-based, ARPG, and anything in between are fine. If there's less depth, I'd rather have something like Mass Effect where the actiony shooting/hacking/etc. can stand on its own. Turn-based and shallow (insert flash rpg here) or real-time, shallow, and repetitive (insert Elder Scrolls game here) are of course the worst.

 

[Launcelot111]

I really liked FFX's combat because it's turn based, but not in the "line up and attack at once" manner of Golden Sun or Dragon Quest, you had to decide on which three people you wanted out and there was a turn order that you could manipulate and abuse. I don't necessarily like turn based, but the particular nuances of FFX's combat made it my choice.

I feel that as much as I may like or dislike a certain system, it really varies from game to game. Like FFX-2 and FFXIII were similar in that they were ATB battles on an organically organized field (ie people stand wherever rather than in rows facing each other). However, FFX-2's attacks that target multiple enemies would automatically hit them wherever they were, but in FFXIII, attacks like blitz or firaga would only hit in a certain area, and you have no way to control where enemies stand, so in this case, FFX-2 is handling that method of attacking better. Things like this factor into my liking or disliking of a system much more than the broad archetype in which the system lies.

 

[number2301]

In essence I think there's no excuse for RPGs using a crutch of an outdated combat system. If it's turn based then it should be properly tactical or strategic (Xcom, not Fallout or Final Fantasy). If it's action based it should be high quality (ME2 not Fallout 3)

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well there are a few elements to the RPG combat I prefer:
Real time with pause, squad, class based, with auto attack

But those really need to be used together and balanced well to create a solid package, take them one by one and they will make quite a horrible experience.
That's why most devs just roll with averaged out action combat, in ME class/squad/skills/weapons actually don't matter at all, any setup will work in about the same way all the time.
But hey that's how you make RPG for the masses and how you make the big bucks.

 

[Akytalusia]

my favorite combat is from the growlanser series. everything happens in real time, but you can pause and micromanage as much as you need.

 

[Luap26]

When i think Fallout its not FPS, its more FO1 and 2. AKA turn based.

 

[VoidWanderer]

Pen and Paper, is the best RPG combat. Any game that uses the d20 system (Neverwinter Nights, etc) is the way I prefer RPG combat to be.

 

[wintercoat]

The Tales games have, IMO, the best combat out of any RPG I've ever played. Therefor I voted hack'n'slash.