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General discussion (archive)Genre Inequality(120 posts)(120 posts)
(120 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted January 21, 2013
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keeveek: There is one thing I always find extremely funny in "medieval" RPGs like Morrowind. When you play different games, they tell you "this happens a 1000 years after the prequel" , but... there is no technological advancement whatsoever.

Sometimes they have better armor, but yeah, it still looks exactly the same :D Are people in RPGs so retarded that they can't push their civilizations anywhere forward?
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tinyE: Of topic but similar...
Ever notice that all the ships in SW Episodes 1-3 are way sleaker and more modern looking than the ones in Episodes 4-6?
This sort of makes sense though, as episodes 4-6 are kind run-down post-apocalyptic, whereas 1-3 is the world in its prime.
Posted January 21, 2013
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tinyE: Of topic but similar...
Ever notice that all the ships in SW Episodes 1-3 are way sleaker and more modern looking than the ones in Episodes 4-6?
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Gazoinks: This sort of makes sense though, as episodes 4-6 are kind run-down post-apocalyptic, whereas 1-3 is the world in its prime.
Holy shit, I never thought of it that way. Seriously, that is a really good, albeit obvious, point. Kudos my friend. It makes sense that sporatic groups of hiding rebels have to keep their fighters held together with duct tape and snot; they are wanted, hunted, and pennyless.
Posted January 21, 2013
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Leroux: I admit I'm pretty biased against the fantasy genre in books, games and movies. On the one hand I'm always drawn to fanciful tales of magic and monsters, on the other hand I'm often quite disappointed with them, because they hardly ever manage (or even try) to draw me in with exciting and refreshing storytelling. They just keep on repeating the same tropes and even when they're original, the originality lies in some small details or areas I'm not that interested in.
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Mrstarker: Try reading The Lies of Locke Lamora. It managed to surpise me amidst all that generic Thones stuff we get these days. Or perhaps The Dresden Files which takes place in modern day Chicago.
If I can find them at the library, I'll give them a shot, thanks.
Posted January 21, 2013
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szablev: I wouldn't say that what I'd like to see in an RPG is an accurate and realistic representation of medieval Europe, (or Asia or whichever culture you prefer, although I would not object to it either), but rather a more magically toned down setting, with consistent rules and limitations. Personally, I would also welcome it if they did away with most of the typical fantasy races and used different and varied human characters instead. Even though I am not a fan of the Elder Scrolls games, I like that they have 4 distinct human races to chose from.
Aside from Dwarves and Elves being present, that would be The Witcher. Dunno how well it is doing on historic 'accuracy', it's not exactly taking place on an existing continent (altho the books have hinted that the Witcher takes place in the Earth's future on several occasions,) what I do know is that Andrzej Sapkowski took a lot of time studying history as a whole and it shows: Books are very ... Rooted in reality, and games take all they possibly can from that, altho they do fail in some departments. Average person's magic is not all-powerful, it takes years to master, and actual mages are few and far between. Conflict is never resolved by armies of lawful good knights in shiny armour, it begins and ends by the use of intrigue and diplomacy. Both Elves and Dwarves are being pushed aside and most of the time all you have to deal with is a crapload of humans.
Posted January 21, 2013
It's RPGs' dungeon and dragon origins that make the majority of them fantasy, though some non-fantasy are popular such as Mass Effect.
As for no technical advancement, if Elder Scrolls VI was steampunk then it's not really an Elder Scrolls anymore and would cause more trouble with fans. On the other Fable is mainly famous for the tech advancing in every game.

As for RPG cliches I love games that make fun of them. If anyone had ever played Cthulhu Saves the World, they'll know what I mean.

One last thing: I hate "fantasy games" that have humans in them, it's meant to be fantasy for god sake!

Though Warcraft started out cliched (Humans Vs Orcs), luckily in the later two games they improved the lore and make it original. The main theme is of this planet conquering alien empire started by a god trying to take over the planet in the series by corrupting the local population and pretty much inventing undead.
Posted January 21, 2013
Though I haven't played it, I really like how The Secret World is trying to break the mold a bit and do something different. However, taking that risk can also have a very low or negative return. I'm glad TSW is still alive after dropping subscriptions, and I hope one day I can find the time and energy to play it!
Posted January 21, 2013
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keeveek: There is one thing I always find extremely funny in "medieval" RPGs like Morrowind. When you play different games, they tell you "this happens a 1000 years after the prequel" , but... there is no technological advancement whatsoever.

Sometimes they have better armor, but yeah, it still looks exactly the same :D Are people in RPGs so retarded that they can't push their civilizations anywhere forward?
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tinyE: Of topic but similar...
Ever notice that all the ships in SW Episodes 1-3 are way sleaker and more modern looking than the ones in Episodes 4-6?
Aperantly this was the past:

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071004023936/starwars/images/6/61/CloneCommando1600.jpg

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071020020161/starwars/images/d/d2/Naboo_N-1_fighter_1.jpg

and this is the future:

http://alpha1beta.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/xwing.jpg

http://www.cosplayisland.co.uk/files/costumes/6288/67388/CI_67388_1345756926.jpg
Posted January 21, 2013
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tinyE: Of topic but similar...
Ever notice that all the ships in SW Episodes 1-3 are way sleaker and more modern looking than the ones in Episodes 4-6?
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Elmofongo: Aperantly this was the past:

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071004023936/starwars/images/6/61/CloneCommando1600.jpg
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071020020161/starwars/images/d/d2/Naboo_N-1_fighter_1.jpg
and this is the future:

http://alpha1beta.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/xwing.jpg
http://www.cosplayisland.co.uk/files/costumes/6288/67388/CI_67388_1345756926.jpg
You just reminded me how cheap the Stormtrooper costumes are.
Posted January 21, 2013
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Aningan: Cyberpunk 2077 :)
Cool, thanks for pointing that out. I'm looking forward to CD Projekt RED's next project! The trailer was great!!

And to be on topic: I can't really say I played many RPGs (although I bought most of the classics around here - getting to play them is the difficult part, though) but I can say I'd find some orginial settings more interesting.
Ultimately, the atmosphere just has to make us lose ourselves in the game - that's enough for me.
Posted January 21, 2013
I'd mention Xenoblade Chronicles here: There's swords and there's tech, the hero stabs people in the back with the biggest sword in the universe, the healer is a sniper who shoots you with healing bullets of love, the love interest is... well, that's a bit of a spoiler, but it's unconventional, and your hardest-hitter is a fluffy mushroom. Plus, when all is said and done, the setting is pure science-fiction. Truly staggering game, worth getting a Wii for.

I'm not sure if it's really what OP meant, but hey - it's a great game :)
Posted January 21, 2013
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McDon: As for RPG cliches I love games that make fun of them. If anyone had ever played Cthulhu Saves the World, they'll know what I mean.
Making fun of RPG clichés has become a RPG cliché in itself, it doesn't make a game more original, IMO. It's a bit like doing something awkward while shouting "Look guys, I'm doing something completely awkward, isn't that hilarious?". Nope, still cringeworthy most of the time. And RPG clichés are too easy a target. But of course there's nothing wrong with enjoying a bit of parody occasionally. (And I admit I will probably buy The Bard's Tale when it's released here.)
Post edited January 21, 2013 by Leroux
Posted January 21, 2013
Technological advancement, or at least rapid technological advancement, is only a very recent phenomenon. The ancient Greeks had achieved a certain level of technology as early as the time of the Thera eruption (I can't remember the date but it was before 1000 BC I think), but they didn't think in the same way as we do. They could have become more advanced if it had seemed important to them, but they lived and thought differently than us modern folk. Greek mythology is the greatest human achievement so far in my opinion and it is from this and other mythologies (e.g. Norse and Germanic) that the the typical cast of fantasy creatures is derived. I think I'm in a minority here, but for me elves and dwarves, wizards, dragons and magic will never be a cliche. In fact I would rather have lived in a bygone era, though of course I would not have been able to play PC games. I love all sorts of game worlds and settings, though, I just hope that fantasy settings are not jettisoned because a lot of people consider them to have been done to death.
Posted January 21, 2013
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Theoclymenus: Technological advancement, or at least rapid technological advancement, is only a very recent phenomenon. The ancient Greeks had achieved a certain level of technology as early as the time of the Thera eruption (I can't remember the date but it was before 1000 BC I think), but they didn't think in the same way as we do. They could have become more advanced if it had seemed important to them, but they lived and thought differently than us modern folk. Greek mythology is the greatest human achievement so far in my opinion and it is from this and other mythologies (e.g. Norse and Germanic) that the the typical cast of fantasy creatures is derived. I think I'm in a minority here, but for me elves and dwarves, wizards, dragons and magic will never be a cliche. In fact I would rather have lived in a bygone era, though of course I would not have been able to play PC games. I love all sorts of game worlds and settings, though, I just hope that fantasy settings are not jettisoned because a lot of people consider them to have been done to death.
Not jettisoned just more original. Myself I'd prefer games based on the mythology you just mentioned (Norse, Greek, Germanic or Egyptian) just because it hasn't been done as often as the tolkien fantasy.
One game that I'd probably get if wasn't a MMORPG and I'm not signing up for another one is: Dark Age Of Camelot. King Arthur legends is one faction, Norse mythology another and Celtic the last faction.
Posted January 21, 2013
I agree with most of what you say, McDon, and I'm also not an MMORPG fan - gaming for me is a solitary experience, though I played Red Alert to death against a friend of mine and enjoyed it immensely. It always disappoints me when I see a title I like the idea of only to discover it is an an online only game.

Maybe Tolkien has been done to death but there are still plenty of people who can't get enough of it. I STILL haven't played Star Wars : KotOR, though I'm sure it's a great game, but I'm just turned off by the cheesy Star Wars setting.

It all comes down to what stimulates YOUR imagination. Where others see nothing but clichés in, for example, Baldur's Gate, I see a lost, faraway world which is BETTER than our ours, and I can never become tired of it.
Posted January 21, 2013
Because it's easy. History has done most of the work for you. The rest? Because magic, obviously.

Sci-fi, by its very nature, requires more thought. You have to build a world, or even an entire universe that makes sense as a logical advancement from the point we're at now. The political and technological advancements we've made - where our priorities clearly lie - and thus the most logical advancements we will make.

Of course you could just throw together some Jetsons bollocks cobbled together from plagiarism. But then I don't think that would really qualify as sci-fi. But at least it would be in space, I suppose.
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This is my favourite topic
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General discussion (archive)Genre Inequality(120 posts)(120 posts)
(120 posts)