Fable is awesome from what I've seen with the release of the screenshots and teaser trailers. It's incredibly detailed and has a really great idea that I think will be a very different experience from playing other rpgs.
You start as a boy and get sent off to do an errand for your parents. Upon returning you find out everyone has been kidnapped, and worst off your dog has been nailed to the front door. It is there the developers say that you are now in control of your character, whatever you do from then on will change your character....into a villain...or a hero.
I think that's really the wave of the future for RPG's. More focus on individuality through development of character, and less about a true focus on a story. Of course, a storyline will be included, but the main focus will be to develop a game that allows for an increased freedom of direction within the context of whatever the background story is. The story doesn't necessarily dictate the development of the character...
Well I have some thoughts on this. I have been playing RPG's like mad since Final Fantasy VI (III in US) and these are my favorite types of games. I love freedom to be good or bad and all that but to me story line is everything. FFVI was amazing but FFVII changed my life along with other games like Xenogears. These are the types of games I live for. Just being able to run around and kill who ever you want is great fun....for awhile. Just like Grand Theft Auto games are awesome until the get old and then they suck (in my opinion). I would like to see more games focus on story line more because story is what makes a game memorable. Also fable is an exaggeration of it self, yes allot of things you do effect your character but not the story, the story is whats important.
To me, the current RPG (ones like FFVII right up to the latest one) is still only good for one run-through. The storyline gets expressed only one way, which for me leaves no replayability value. There's always too much in the way of things like cinematic cutscenes, or the painfully agonizing, time-wasting dialogue screens... I want a game that engages me at ALL TIMES, not just during strategic battles that seem random (like in FFVII), or in foolish sidegames that don't appeal to me.
I want a grown-up version of an RPG, and to me, the best representation of that for me so far is GTA:San Andreas. While this direction still needs advancements to reduce the boring factor that you mentioned earlier Vodka, it still seems like it's the way to go for people like me. I have a NUMBER of ideas that would improve RPG's that follow along GTA's path.
BTW, I don't mean to negate the importance of a good storyline for an RPG. What I'm personally looking for is someway to keep a strong storyline without FORCING a player to follow it precisely. GTA has a decent idea on how to make that happen, and I know of some other RPG's that have made similar attempts. I'm looking for an evolution of sorts, not a recession.
Yeah I see your point, I to want many of the things you mention just not without a great story. For me though I must have played FFVII atleast 50 times all the way through and I could play it right now and love every second. I dont mind cutscenes and random battles...infact I love random battles. I guess when it comes to RPG's I like em with old school flavor.
I'm not so sure how much I like the turn-based system that most RPG's employ. I understand that real-time battles are difficult to pull off smoothly because there is just so much to consider, like potions, weapons, spells (offensive or defensive, or power-ups, summons, etc...), but I wish it could be brought forth in someway that would enhance gameplay and not be so redundant, yet still be user-friendly. That's a very tall order though, and I understand that. I just wish it could be done...
I also have to say, I don't like the graphic style that many RPG's have. Making cartoony-looking characters or movements don't appeal to me in RPG's. FF does a great job at developing life-like characters, and I give them props for it. Of all RPG's, I understand why FF has such a high ranking and reputation. It really is the epitome of RPG's of that style, I would say.
For the future, I think GTA shows promise as a new kind of RPG that offers good storylines with more flexibility in gameplay and less dependence on a strict adherence to a mapped out plot in order to make advancements in your character, etc...
We'll see which way the buying public decides to go...
03-25-2004 12:59 PM
