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Topic: What Do you think is the biggest Problem with Modern Rpgs?

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Areus

I want to know peoples opinion on this

Edited on by Areus

Areus

Areus

@Frigate I'd say one of the problems Is that alot Eastern Rpgs are trying to hard be anime with all of the tropes that comes with that and Western Rpgs are trying to hard to be Edgey

Edited on by Areus

Areus

themcnoisy

@Frigate 9 would agree with that.

I used to love RPGs but recently they are too long. They always have crafting which I dislike, as crafting artificially extends the length of games. This wasn't such an issue last gen.

JRPGs always have kids / teenagers as lead characters too. Every blooming one. The last 2 JRPGs I have played had Noctis and Joker - teenage lads as lead roles. I'm so bored of playing as that role, understandably in the context of a JRPG it makes sense as they grow as you make it through the game. But it's boring.


The reality is that Action games such as HZD, Spiderman and God of War have taken the better aspects of RPGs and tacked them on. Leaving your big RPGs looking bulky. All that's missing is taking a Party with you.

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Thrillho

That seems a reasonable take @themcnoisy

Big settings and in depth stories are no longer exclusive to RPGs as games get bigger. “Action RPGs” seem to be where it’s at now with games like Mass Effect (RIP) and Witcher 3 being some of my favourites.

Thrillho

LieutenantFatman

@themcnoisy
Fair point, Noctis was particularly boring I thought, and the game being so far from being finished really didn’t help.

I think the focus used to be on telling a unique and interesting story with a range of complex and diverse characters. I'm not sure what the focus is these days, maybe just to jump on the latest band wagon and max out those graphics. And yeah, artificially extend the length of the game rather than giving the player something meaningful to do.

@Thrillho

Yes, Witcher 3 sets the bar really high. Love that game.

Edited on by LieutenantFatman

LieutenantFatman

themcnoisy

@Thrillho @LieutenantFatman I played W3 twice - both at the wrong time in my life. Once I had restarted work after a short amount of Paternal leave the second I was also playing Rocket League regularly and Yakuza zero (which is one of my favourite games ever) and didn't have the time to commit.

Pity as I know I have missed out. But Cyberpunk will be day one so I can enjoy it as much as everyone else.

Forum Best Game of All Time Awards

PS3 Megathread 2019: The Last of Us
Multiplat 2018: Horizon Zero Dawn
Nintendo 2017: Super Mario Bros 3
Playstation 2016: Uncharted 2
Multiplat 2015: Final Fantasy 7

PSN: mc_noisy

Ralizah

I think generalizing about "modern RPGs" isn't helpful. There have always been bad or mediocre games on the market, in any genre

But I guess it's probably fair to say that I hate how the Square side of Square-Enix has completely abandoned the things that made the Final Fantasy series great. The series essentially has no identity any more, and it's sad to see such a pillar of the JRPG genre reduced to mobile cash-grabs, underwhelming HD remasters, and the occasional, and extremely disappointing, main series entry. While I think the DQ series has been a bit overly safe in terms of how it has evolved, at least that series still feels like itself. Strict traditionalism is preferable to... whatever the hell happened to Final Fantasy. Notice the IP still has its weird experiments, but those are relegated to spin-offs, as they should be.

Edited on by Ralizah

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BAMozzy

I don't know that there is a 'big' or 'biggest problem with RPG's. There are tropes from games of other genres that now 'blur' the lines between genres. Not every Open World game is now an RPG even if they have certain RPG type elements incorporated in to the game-play. That also has had an impact on RPGs too - some may be seen as more 'action' adventure than a 'Role Playing' game. I do find it a bit bizarre that you can play a 'role' - whether its a 'fixed' character, like Geralt or one of your own creation but only certain games are considered 'role' playing. Whether a game has side quests, levelling up, crafting, hunting, freedom to go anywhere and have the choice on what you want to do etc does not necessarily mean it will be classified as a 'Role Playing' game.

Its not a 'bad' thing or even a Problem as I see it. I think the 'biggest' problem is more likely to be the state of the game at launch because these are generally 'bigger' and more 'complicated' in structure. It can be much more if there is more choices and more impact based on what choices have been made. If Side Quests can also have some impact on the 'main' quest line to, that adds to the complexity. The Witcher 3 is a great example of side quests having an impact. Who you see later, what lines of dialogue you may hear etc can be determined by a side quest and what decisions you made. Ensuring that all of these work properly is a much greater task than a linear game with a more straightforward progression through the game. Therefore I think the biggest problem is more down to the competence of the developers and whether they have the support, budget and time to make sure the game is as polished as possible and ready to release rather than be pressured to get it out and fix afterwards.

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Mega-Gazz

I honestly find most of them too long (by the end I’m happier to be able to delete it than to have finished), and the push to add quality side quests means that there isn’t enough focus to the game and the main quest is just another quest, and nothing feels urgent.

Dot chasing also is a bad thing

Mega-Gazz

Tasuki

My biggest problems with RPGs especially with the Final Fantasy series is they have no substance. Ever since they went 3d they worried too much about graphics and lets make the games long by adding filler garbage. Back on the NES and SNES they didn't have the graphics so they had to have good stories and great character personalities and backstories. Now seems they just recycle the same old whiney emo kid as they main hero and typical I am taking over the world villian. Add some flashy graphics and you got a game. It almost as they try to be more of a movie then a game too. Such little game play and then an hour of cutscenes.

As for Western RPGs they try to take alot from Dungeon and Dragons which I admire but there's something missing, the DM and that's a big factor. They are either big open worlds with very little substance or they are too ridged as in ok you go here and do this which in turn now opens this and now you can do this. Almost like they want to hold your hand.

I use to play RPGs all the time back in the NES/SNES era but from the PSone era on ward I have played less and less. The only one I really finished last year was Octopath, which was great.

Another thing that gets me is how nowadays just because a game is fantasy based like Zelda Breath of the Wild people label it as an RPG which it isn't. I see that also with some games like the new Assassin's Creed games or Borderlands too just because they have RPG elements in them, but I digress.

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blacklivesmatter

Some RPG's do not allow you to create the character if thats the case I would not buy the game. Also having the game in first person only perspective is a problem for me.

blacklivesmatter

themcnoisy

@kyleforrester87 but 7,8 and 10 all have teenage male protagonists as the main character. Even 12 shoehorned Vaan in when Balthier would have been a better option.

Obviously the surrounded world and stories are all great imo. But it doesn't change the fact that the main character is a little runt.

When I see all the praise for Rock stars games. I think a part of that is the main protagonists are usually different - middle aged or approaching with a back story, a different scope on life. The Japanese have a misguided philosophy that teenage hero's are a kind of blank slate to juxtapose your own personality into - when having a personable character is fine.

Forum Best Game of All Time Awards

PS3 Megathread 2019: The Last of Us
Multiplat 2018: Horizon Zero Dawn
Nintendo 2017: Super Mario Bros 3
Playstation 2016: Uncharted 2
Multiplat 2015: Final Fantasy 7

PSN: mc_noisy

Jaz007

In some cases, a level system. Witcher is just screwed by it and has a terrible difficulty balance and lackluster “dangerous” monsters because of it. It really didn’t need to should’ve had it. Horizon’s need is also debatable but also is better. It really makes sense in some games, but I really think we should ask ourselves if some games need it. If not handled carefully or in the right context, it just messes up difficulty and doesn’t let the developers have the proper tuning the gameplays needs.
Being too long is another one as @themcnoisy said. Some games look great, but another 70 hour game, especially one that’s not at least 9/10 is really not what anyone needs. I remember when BioWare made full complete feeling games that were about 30 hours long.

Jaz007

Ryall

I don’t think there’s any problem with modern RPG is when compare to older RPG. The have always been good games in bad games. Games with story to connect with us and protagonists who annoy us.

If we say that any game where you get experience gradually which causes you to level up and become progressively stronger is an RPG. Then the area is so diverse that any generalisations are pretty meaningless.

That said I liked it when games came with manuals that explained how they operated rather than relying on in game tutorials. I always found it easier to get my instruction for a booklet than a menu when playing a complex game.

Ryall

kyleforrester87

@themcnoisy well to be fair back when I was playing those RPGs they were all older than I was. I don’t mind playing as younger characters at all, I’m not sure I enjoy those games that focus on going to school and whatnot though!

And I know Cloud and co are meant to be younger, but in my head I consider them all late 20’s/early 30’s lol

Edited on by kyleforrester87

kyleforrester87

PSN: WigSplitter1987

Areus

@themcnoisy basch was supposed to have been the main character in 12 but the director wanted a younger character because he throught that people would be able to relate to him better This seems to be the mind set for alot of jrpgs

Edited on by Areus

Areus

themcnoisy

@Areus Exactly. It's a flawed philosophy. That philosophy basically states that it's only kids who play games - we know that's untrue.

In fact these days I would strongly argue its Adults keeping the likes of FF afloat. Ain't no way my kids circle of friends would be seen dead playing ff15.

Forum Best Game of All Time Awards

PS3 Megathread 2019: The Last of Us
Multiplat 2018: Horizon Zero Dawn
Nintendo 2017: Super Mario Bros 3
Playstation 2016: Uncharted 2
Multiplat 2015: Final Fantasy 7

PSN: mc_noisy

kyleforrester87

Games genres fall in and out of favour over time I suppose, JRPGs could always make a comeback

kyleforrester87

PSN: WigSplitter1987

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