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Any games that are mostly a skill based game, that allows you to train in skills by using it rather than just dumping points into it as you level?

I have always loved the idea that you learn more from your failures than successes... and each time you attempt a skill you have a chance of increasing it... if you live from your error :laugh:

I don't have a problem with it being a class based game, that you can only get sneak and such if you are a rogue type class. I just like a more open type of game, that you can do or try what ever suits your fancy.

I think there was one I used to play many years ago... but my mind if failing me at the moment.

Morrowind and Oblivion have the kind of leveling system you describe. Your skills level up as you use them, and in turn those contribute points to more generic ratings, such as Strength and so forth that you can raise when you level up.

I was going to suggest the Elder Scrolls games, they're the only new games I know of that work that way. The Dungeon Siege games work that way, but there's not really "skills" per se, your stats level as you use them and your combat skills do (in the second one they then added a skill tree you can dump points into as everything else levels up, so it's sort of a hybrid).

The only other thing I can suggest is the old Quest for Glory series by Sierra, but you need DOSBox to run that. I'm sure there's some other ones, but I've never seen them.

Actually, there is one other game that works like those titles. It's not a great game and I don't think many of you have played it. It is called Boiling Point: Road to Hell and is a loose combination of Far Cry and Deus Ex. As I recall, the skill system indeed does work per-use.

Boiling Point - PC Review at IGN

I think there might have been a sequel in the works too. If it ever was released at all.

Oblivion

If you choose Oblivion, do you have a limited number of skills you can learn, or just those restricted by your class?

arsiwash wrote:If you choose Oblivion, do you have a limited number of skills you can learn, or just those restricted by your class?

You can learn any and every skill through use in both Morrowind and Oblivion. In Morrowind, you are limited to joining one of three Houses, though you can join both the Temples, the Imperial Guards, and the three Guilds. (There are mods that restrict that further, and at least one that allows you to join all three Houses.) In Oblivion, there are no restrictions on joining all four of the Guilds.

The Elder Scrolls games (Morrowind and Oblivion) do make you choose some skills when creating a character, so when you start playing you may think those are the only skills you can use -- they're not. The skills you choose as primary and secondary skills just start at a higher level and (perhaps more importantly) are the skills you need to gain in in order to level up.

I just thought I'd clarify because the first time I played Morrowind, that confused me. 'Course, I'm easily confused...