I'm Switching Gears

[Nyghtfall]

After posting my list of pros and cons (http://forums.gamers.org/showthread.php?t=24120) for returning to WoW, I started thinking about some ways to keep my mind off of WoW that would still provide a deeply engaging alternative to my favorite run-and-gun shooters. Yesterday, it occurred to me.

After spending the last 8 years playing MMO's, I've come to the conclusion that I really love RPGs. The social aspect of MMOs has merely been an added bonus to gameplay, but most of all, I've really enjoyed creating characters, leveling them, and exploring huge, virtual worlds.

With that in mind, I've decided to switch gears a bit and get into single-player RPGs, starting with Mass Effect and Fallout 3. For kicks, I even ordered the Collector's Edition of Fallout 3.

I know I've complained about the tendency for developers to create games that take place in post-apocalyptic wastelands, and how much I'd love to play a game in which everything isn't in ruins, but that's where Mass Effect is going to balance out Fallout 3 for me.

I'm expecting delivery of both games, next Thursday, and I'm really looking forward to them.

[OldsterHolster]

I share your feelings, Nyght, and I get tired of rubble and destruction, too, but Fallout 3 is so good that it's worth putting up with. I started out the game with reservations, but it sure won me over, and I really had a good time with it. Sooner or later, I'll get the other two expansions for it and play some more. Have fun, and be sure to give your impressions of Mass Effect, too. I haven't played that one, but I might. Edward.

[shizakapayou]

Excellent choices on both. Mass Effect is just about an all-time favorite of mine, and Fallout 3 rates pretty high, too. A tip on Mass Effect - on the sidequests, don't waste your time exploring the entire planet, they're just wastes. Head straight for the target on the map. The main story is much more detailed.

[Rafal Dudek]

Yep, and soon Dragon Age will be out :): Can't wait for that one. Fallout 3 was some great fun too.

[Nyghtfall]

Yep, and soon Dragon Age will be out :): Can't wait for that one.

I've heard a little bit about that one, so I just checked out the site for the first time. It looks ideal for some fantasy-based RP'ing. Definitely looking forward to that one now, too.

[shizakapayou]

I haven't seen much about it either, but I've learned to generally trust what Bioware offers.

[Contagious Rage]

Those two should tie you over for a while. I'd recommend keeping an eye out for a Witcher sale in the meantime for even more recent RPG goodness. If you ever want something more MMOish -- at least more focused on creating multiple characters, leveling, and loot (and without all the idiots) -- you could go for some Diablo clones: Titan Quest, Dungeon Siege 2, Sacred 2&1, Torchlight late next month, and Diablo 3 maybe next year although I sorta doubt Blizzard would release StarCraft and Diablo in the same year.

A few PC RPGs on the horizon with some potential as well:

Q3 2009 -- The Armored Princess (expansion for last year's unexpectedly awesome King's Bounty: The Legend)
Oct. 02 -- Risen (Piranha Bytes' latest)
Oct. 06 -- Alpha Protocol (Obsidian)
Oct. 27 -- Torchlight (Guy who made Fate, Mythos)
Nov. 03 -- Dragon Age (BlahWare)
H2 2009 -- Divinity 2 (Sequel to Larian's Divine Divinity)

[Nyghtfall]

Ok, Mass Effect is a bust... me and squad-based RPGS = Not a good combo. If I'm going to stick with RPG's, I need to be on my own, and not be responsible for a party of NPC's.

[shizakapayou]

What is it about the squad stuff that's bringing it down for you? You don't really have to manage them - there's a setting that has your party members just take care of themselves and use biotics/abilities as needed. Unless you just don't like being followed....

[Nyghtfall]

What is it about the squad stuff that's bringing it down for you?

Trying to keep myself and everyone else alive during firefights, and failing miserably. In WoW, all I had to do was keep my mana up enough to heal party members, and it could regenerate over time if I didn't have any mana potions or water. In Mass Effect, I need something called gel packs. If I run out of those, I'm screwed.

Unless you just don't like being followed....

That, too.

[Joe Cool]

Ok, Mass Effect is a bust... me and squad-based RPGS = Not a good combo. If I'm going to stick with RPG's, I need to be on my own, and not be responsible for a party of NPC's.

Yeah, I gotta agree with this. I was not made about the combat/squad system in ME. It just never flowed right, IMO. It was one of the weaker points of the game and my over all enjoyment sufferd for it.

Nyght, did you finish it?

[Nyghtfall]

Nyght, did you finish it?

No.

[Mr. Natural]

I've got a confession to make as well. I never was good at party based RPG's and prefer first person RPG's. I know Dragon's Age will be a must get but I think it may not be for me, but I will give it a shot.

The only party base RPG I ever finished was the original Baldur's Gate. While buying the add-ons and #2. I never finished them. Nor the Icewind Dale games. Also despite Terry's extensive knowlegable help I never finished Planescape and to this day still have it on my pc with various mods and dream of finishing it someday.

I got NWN2 for the hoildays when it came out and lost interest because while party members were able to take care of themselves I felt some sort of automated response and seemed like I still didn't have control over things.

The biggest bummer for me in games such as Baldurs Gate was losing a party member and having to pick up all the loot lost and high tail it back to somewhere to restore the character.

I'm sure Terry is anxiously awaiting Dragon Age for I'm sure he will turn out to be a great source of help when it arrives.

[Kalbrecht]

I loved both. Fallout 3 I preferred playing as a solo. It was easy enough that I didn't need a squad. The Mass Effect squad was excellent - great characters that I enjoyed, even if they weren't terribly useful in combat.

The greatest thing about both - excellent storyines and writing. Absolutely immersive and wonderful worlds - Fallout 3 was probably better of the two, but both were awesome.

[MassiveEffect]

Well,

I actually liked Mass Effect better then Fallout3.
I had to much of a Oblivion vibe playing though that,
The old Fallout mood just wasn't there.
I have to admit I only played o couple of hours Oblivion.

[bossjimbob]

Trying to keep myself and everyone else alive during firefights, and failing miserably. In WoW, all I had to do was keep my mana up enough to heal party members, and it could regenerate over time if I didn't have any mana potions or water. In Mass Effect, I need something called gel packs. If I run out of those, I'm screwed.

You can configure how your squad members fight, including what weapons they'll use and what biotic powers they'll trigger (if any). If you're worried about them running out front and getting killed, just give them a waypoint off to the side and they'll take cover. My squad experiences in ME were pretty decent. Besides, if someone goes down during a fight, you can wait until combat is over and they'll get up on their own if memory serves me correct. You can also convert junk items into gel, too, so you shouldn't ever run out.

[shizakapayou]

Yeah, you don't have to keep them alive during the fight, just yourself. I used my squad a ton when I was lower level, and they were a big help. Once I hit the higher levels (especially as a soldier) I pretty much forgot they were there, and just left them on autofire/autobiotic. Bossjimbob is right, after a battle your squad revives on their own. Med packs are pretty easy to come by, almost so easy it's like they're an auto-regenerating mana ;)

I probably played over 100 hours of both, and they're both great, but ME wins in my book. I found the character interactions a lot better than Fallout, with NPCs, squad mates, whatever. Story was definitely better in Mass Effect, too.

I tried Oblivion - couldn't get into it at all.

[bossjimbob]

Heh. I guess I'm in the minority because I've played Oblivion for over 200 hours. Beat the core game and all the DLC. Even re-rolled a new character and started over. It is my favorite first person action RPG to date. You do get some followers if you complete the various faction side quests and DLC bits. They mostly serve as fodder. If you accidentally hit one of your buddies, they turn on you and you get kicked out of your faction. A reload fixes that, but it's better to just let them die, clean up what's left, and then summon more followers later. :lol:

I really enjoyed Fallout 3 as well. Beat the core game but I have yet to grab the DLC. I'll probably do that if/when they release a disc version with all the extra content (or when the expansions go on sale).

You can't go wrong with either game if you ask me. Both offer 100s of hours of entertainment.

[Nyghtfall]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Much appreciated.

One thing I did enjoy a lot was the game's music; so much so, in fact, that I've decided to give the game another chance. I hadn't gotten very far before giving up the first time, so I've restarted my career and completed the first mission. I was also growing weary of playing a ruthless bitch (yes, my character is female), so now she's a war hero. I'm already enjoying the game more on just that point alone. I was grinning from ear to ear when the opening cinematic played out again. :)

[shizakapayou]

One of my characters was female too - what can I say, they look good in that armor, and it's a better butt to stare at for 50 hours ;)

Opening cinematic always gets me, it's a good one. I do generally play the way I'd handle things instead of the ruthless route, but Mass Effect does play it from less of a light/dark angle.