My next rpg should be?

Rass · Post by **Rass** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:00 am

Hi

I hope you guys will help me in the rigth direction.

I'm not sure what game to play next. I don't have an awful lot of time available so I won't be able to play more than one game at a time.

After having rediscovered crpg a few years ago I've played:
Baldurs Gate 1+2+ToB
Neverwinter Nights 1+2+official expansions + a few other modules
Knights of the old republic 1+2

I generally prefer a fantasy setting (especially D&D) and at the moment I'm considering one of the following games:
Icewind Dale2 (no.1 sounds like to much hack'n'slash)
Jade Empire special edition
Oblivion

I've also stumbled across two community made modules from NwN vault that sounds interesting "Shadowlords campaign" and "tortured hearts". does anybody know these modules are they any good?

I hope you will give me some advice

Rass

Aemmon · Post by **Aemmon** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:05 am

considerign what you've already played, I'd go with Jade Empire or fable. If those don't do it for you oblivion (or even morrowind + expansions) would be a good bet.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:06 am

Rass wrote: I generally prefer a fantasy setting (especially D&D) and at the moment I'm considering one of the following games:
Icewind Dale2 (no.1 sounds like to much hack'n'slash)
Jade Empire special edition
Oblivion

The Icewind Dale series, I do recall that they use the D&D system. As for Jade Empire and Oblivion, they don't. If you really like D&D based games, I would go for Icewind Dale 2.

Kipi · Post by **Kipi** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:10 am

Rass wrote:Hi

I hope you guys will help me in the rigth direction.

I'm not sure what game to play next. I don't have an awful lot of time available so I won't be able to play more than one game at a time.

After having rediscovered crpg a few years ago I've played:
Baldurs Gate 1+2+ToB
Neverwinter Nights 1+2+official expansions + a few other modules
Knights of the old republic 1+2

I generally prefer a fantasy setting (especially D&D) and at the moment I'm considering one of the following games:
Icewind Dale2 (no.1 sounds like to much hack'n'slash)
Jade Empire special edition
Oblivion

I've also stumbled across two community made modules from NwN vault that sounds interesting "Shadowlords campaign" and "tortured hearts". does anybody know these modules are they any good?

I hope you will give me some advice

Rass

Well, Icewind Dale 2 is pretty similiar with the first one, more hack'n'slash than in BG 2. But it is good game.

Oblivion, well, what I have gathered and a bit of playtested myself, I really don't recommend it. It's quests are "get me that item" or "kill that guy" stylish. I would say only good thing in it is graphics... and personally I'm not so big fan of such games...

Of course, if you are willing to go a bit out of your preferings, maybe Fallout serie would be good? It's not phantasy, but Future style RPG. Very good one. The only problems with it are the facts that it's old so you won't find it easily and the fact that it needs quite lot patching.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:46 pm

Icewind Dale 2 is really light on the role playing IMO, but a good game in it's own right. It's got the fantasy setting, but the story is pretty straight foward and there are none of the character interactions that made BG2 so good.

Oblivion, well, I'd recommend Morrowind over Oblivion. Oblivion has some good points, but it's been seriously targetted for a younger audience I think. Check out the review on this site for more info. Morrowind is a decent game in itself, but it quickly becomes a very good game when you take a look at the mod community.There are countless mods that add just about anything you can think of up to and including new quests and many companion mods, as well as mods that flesh out the role playing aspect of the game and entirely new lands and stories if you have the PC version of the game.

My suggestion, if you can find it, is to give Planescape: Torment a try. It's a bit darker than the BG series, but the same game engine is used so it will feel really familiar. It's also extremely well written and one of my favorites of all time.Engaging characters, real depth to the dialogues, and a very satisfying experience.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:20 pm

Rass wrote: I generally prefer a fantasy setting (especially D&D) and at the moment I'm considering one of the following games:
Icewind Dale2 (no.1 sounds like to much hack'n'slash)

First of all I second Bloodstalker on his recommendations of Morrowind and Planescape Torment. Morrowind, heavily modded, is an excellent game.
Planescape Torment is, next to BG2, the best game I have ever played.

As far as IWD 1 and 2 go, it's very subjective, but I actually found IWD1 to have the better storyline and more immersive feeling. It just seemed richer somehow. I have never managed to finish IWD 2, I've played through the first game (with the expansions) twice. My personal sense with IWD2 is that it was largely created just to showcase the
--at the time-- new third edition D&D rules.
Yes, it is still mostly hack and slash, but if you a looking for a game needing a bit of strategy, along with a decent background story, IWD 1 can be quite a lot of fun.

Also, you might want to keep your eyes open for some upcoming independently produced RPGs:
[url="http://www.planewalkergames.com/"]The Broken Hourglass[/url]
[url="http://www.irontowerstudio.com/"]The Age of Decadence[/url]
[url="http://basiliskgames.com/book1.htm"]Eschalon Book I[/url]

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:21 pm

If you're NOT into Hack And Slash, don't get oblivion. Maybe three quests in the entire game don't require you to use a weapon at all. Otherwise, you're always killing someone, and 95% of the time it's in broad daylight.

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:50 pm

Siberys wrote:If you're NOT into Hack And Slash, don't get oblivion. Maybe three quests in the entire game don't require you to use a weapon at all. Otherwise, you're always killing someone, and 95% of the time it's in broad daylight.

With a quest system that tells you exactly where to go, what to get, and what to do next, in every instance. It's questing for the pre-teen set.

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:39 pm

I'd recommend Icewind Dale 1 plus expansion. The game is a lot lighter on roleplay than the BG series but I make up for that by trying to create roleplaying parties and use my imagination a bit

Its fun to play, has a Heart of Fury (really difficult) mode that adds a new challenge (which is added by the Heart of Winter expansion along with graphics improvements and a new set of quests). I still find it fun and I first for IWD about 4 years ago now (although I have only recently finally managed to get my hands on the expansion pack)

Rass · Post by **Rass** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:19 am

Thanks for all the replys so far.

Well now Oblivion is definetely out of the question!

I'm into roleplaying and well written, captivating stories (BG2 is the best game I've played IMO). Right now I'm considering Planescape, Jade empire, IWD 1+2 plus "shadowlords" and "Shattered hearts" modules for NWN - anybody tried these modules?

Rass

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:36 am

I've played the Shadowlords modules and the Dreamcatcher modules etc. (they are all linked together) and I would definately recommend them as I really enjoyed playing them.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:54 am

Rass wrote:Thanks for all the replys so far.

Well now Oblivion is definetely out of the question!

I'm into roleplaying and well written, captivating stories (BG2 is the best game I've played IMO). Right now I'm considering Planescape, Jade empire, IWD 1+2 plus "shadowlords" and "Shattered hearts" modules for NWN - anybody tried these modules?

Rass

Planescape: Torment. Best story ever developed for a computerized RPG. Best characters, too. And that's looking over RPGs since the early 1980s.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:58 am

Rass wrote:Thanks for all the replys so far.

Well now Oblivion is definetely out of the question!

I'm into roleplaying and well written, captivating stories (BG2 is the best game I've played IMO). Right now I'm considering Planescape, Jade empire, IWD 1+2 plus "shadowlords" and "Shattered hearts" modules for NWN - anybody tried these modules?

Rass

From your comments I can only recommend PlaneScape, if you do not mind the (ancient) look and interface ...

I'm also in the "not recommending Oblivion" for the very same reasons fable and others give. It is a dumbification (hehe) of the genre.

Rass · Post by **Rass** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:14 am

Allright I will start a ebay search for Planescape. I've read a lot about and it sounds like a perfect game...

While I'm waiting for my copy I'm playing the shadowlords... campaign. It's great fun

Thanks for the help

Rass

Sator · Post by **Sator** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:51 pm

You might want to give Temple of Elemental Evil a try - it's graphics are nice, uses D&D rules and is overall fun to play, albeit it's relatively short and when unmodded, gets boring quickly.. But, if you come across it, it's worth getting, since it's not as time consuming as PS:T or BG.

EDIT: DW: Ohh, the games you gave links to look very promising. Especially The Age of Decadence -the screens remind me of BG2 a lot.. *drools*

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:09 pm

Sator wrote:EDIT: DW: Ohh, the games you gave links to look very promising. Especially The Age of Decadence -the screens remind me of BG2 a lot.. *drools*

According to their forum, Age of Decadence also is pretty close to completion. They're just "tweaking," at this point.

Denethorn · Post by **Denethorn** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:49 pm

Rass wrote:Allright I will start a ebay search for Planescape. I've read a lot about and it sounds like a perfect game...

Wise choice, spend a bit and invest in a good quality, big box edition. Once you've played it for a few hours you'll realise it is a rare and special game, and one worth holding in its original form (as opposed to nasty budget editions).

I recently purchased Jade Empire for the PC and can safely add it to the list of Bioware disappointments. Planescape will keep you going for a long while yet

Cyro · Post by **Cyro** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:47 am

Planescape Torment; FTW!

I suppose it depends what you want; if you want in depth story and detailed characters, then Planescape is your game, if you want challenging Baldur's Gate style combat; Icewind Dale should hook you up.

Liked KoTOR? Jade Empire may be a decent substitute (key words: may be.)

Oblivion or Morrowind are good if you want something a little different.

If all else fails, pick up The Pen n' Paper D&D books, kidnap your friends and go with that.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:25 am

Cyro wrote: If all else fails, pick up The Pen n' Paper D&D books, kidnap your friends and go with that.

Are you sure he knows how to play Pen & Paper RPGs? What would be the point of getting one if he doesn't know how it works?

Rass · Post by **Rass** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:21 am

DesR85 wrote:Are you sure he knows how to play Pen & Paper RPGs? What would be the point of getting one if he doesn't know how it works?

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Well I know how to play D&D

Or at least I know how to play the good old AD&D.

Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to find the time to play now a days being a family man with full time job and a little kid. It's a lot easier to turn on the computer for a couple of hours than having to coordinate with my old group where almost all the group members are in the same position as I

Anyway I've just started up Planescape. I got the feeling that it's going to live up to my high, high expectatons.

Rass