While I was reading through this thread here about Elder Scrolls IV and got to thinking that maybe I need to beef up my RPG resume too. I’ve completed (and enjoyed for the most part) :[ul]
[li]Final Fantasy 1,2,3, & 7[/li][li]Diablo 1 & 2 w/ expansion[/li][li]Neverwinter Nights 1 (w/ both expansions)[/li][li]Knights of the Old Republic (just the 1st one)[/li][li]Neverwinter Nights 2 (just finished it)[/li][/ul] Of course, I’ve dabbled a bit more with a few other games, mostly pre 1990ish when I had a lot more time on my hands. I remember not really getting that into the Ultima series, and I haven’t owned a console more recent than a super nintendo …
That said, I’m looking for a new RPG to play. I’ve heard a lot about Oblivion, but I’m a bit leery of it. I only have about 15 - 20 hours of gaming time a month, and I’m not sure about a game that would take me over a year to play. I’ve never really been into the entire MMO type of thing, since they seem to have fairly severe time demands, and I’m too cheap to pay a monthly fee. I’m not as worried about hardware specs, since I upped my video card and memory for NWN2. (ATI X850 w/ 1.5 G Ram) On the other side of things, I’m willing to look at older stuff, since I generally don’t play RPG’s for the eye candy.
I do have one game coming my way near the end of next month. A friend is giving me their copy of Planescape: Torment, which I’ve heard a lot of good things about. But that’s six weeks away, and if I don’t get something else soon, I might start playing Civ4 again, and it took me weeks of CivAnon to give that game up.
So, what are the holes in my resume? What do you think is the RPG that I need to play most?
Well, I missed out on recommending Baldur’s Gate, so I’ll point you to it’s cousins, Icewind Dale and Icewind Dale II. Less story than BG, but no less fun. Wizardry 8 and Might and Magic 8 are also contenders.
With Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale, if you decide to go that way, be sure to get all the expansions. I think you can find both complete, but it may take some searching.
If you’re willing to go into the wings of the theatre, so to speak, I think I can safely recommend Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines. Try it once, then try it again as Malkavian - the conversations with the stop signs makes it all worth it.
Other than that, I’ll second Icewind Dale 1&2 and put forth a commendation for the second Knights of the Old Republic game. It’s not quite the storytelling genius of the first, but the combat and the flow has been refined delightfully.
Further, you really should try out the Gothic games. Well, Gothic 1&2 that is, the third one is so bugged and unfinished it makes my heart ache.
You know, I’d probably be glad to send you my Icewind Dale II cds, anyway. And I even have the codes. It’s an older game, will this be OK you think? Send me your address, if you like.
I loved the first ID and won’t give it up but the second…was just like the first.
A very funny satirical RPG with entirely hand-drawn, stick-figure-esque graphics. It’s turn-based, and you get a certain amount of turns (called adventures) per day. It works for someone who can only play a few minutes every other day, and someone who plays 3 hours a day.
Well the results seem to be fairly overwhelming … I just found the 4-in-one Baldur’s Gate compliation on Ebay, and will be ordering myself a copy.
Edited on Preview: Ohh … I had completely forgotten about the Vampire RPG. I’m a big fan of all of the while wolf role-playing games (or was, I just couldn’t get into the rebooted world of darkness the same way) and might have to check that one out first. I debated KotOR 2 before I posted the OP, but from what I have heard the ending is pretty broken.
I am serious, by the way, about sending you ID II. Of course it doesn’t help that you can’t e-mail me from the boards! Send me a line at elenia25@gmail.com
it’ll do me good to pass them off to someone who will actually use them.
Nethack. It may not have a great story or graphics, but it’s a classic, it can be played a little at a time, and it’s completely free. I’ve only managed to ascend once, and that was save-scumming as a Tourist.
I’m playing this on and off right now. It’s a fantastic game and as well-designed, if not better, than Planescape: Torment. Speaking of which, that’s another good CRPG in the vein of Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale.
I’ll second the recommendations for Fallout (also Fallout 2, of course) and Wizardry 8 (I figure the more people who can share the misery that is Arnika Road, the better).
I also liked Divine Divinity (there’s a sequel called Beyond Divinity, but I haven’t played it yet).
