Summer's here, and I'm looking for a good RPG

[Thunderclap]

Hi all. The games I'm most looking forward to are Medieval II: Total War, Supreme Commander, and Spore, but these all come out around Christmas.
One quick question about Spore before I get to my main point: how closely can we replicate humans in the game? Call me unimaginative but I really want to make humans, however, looking from what I've seen, they're missing two critically human things: sexual dimorphism (physical differences between males and females) and live births.

I know a lot of you are very knowledgeable about this game, so do you know if these features are in? If so, I'm very pleased. If not, I'll go to Plan B and build the Arachnids from Starship Troopers.

Anyway, back on topic. I want to buy a good RPG for the summer. I bought Oblivion and while I LOVE THE GAME, it seemed a lot more like an FPS combat and landscape sim than a true RPG. I reinstalled Morrowind, then remembered why I uninstalled it in the first place, because of the infuriation of watching your arrows actually pass THROUGH the enemy and not hit. So, I'm looking for something older, like the old Baldur's Gate which I loved, but have already beaten and don't want to replay.

I did some cursory searching and found a really interesting RPG called Planescape: Torment, or something like it. Have any of you guys played it, and what was your opinion?

[VictimOfScience]

I did some cursory searching and found a really interesting RPG called Planescape: Torment, or something like it. Have any of you guys played it, and what was your opinion?
Torment is easily one of the best RPGs ever made. An unbelievable story with some classic characters.

Icewind Dale is also terrific in almost the same exact way that Baldur's Gate 1 & 2 are.

Don't forget to get outside a bit too this Summer for some fresh air and sunshine. :)

Oh, and I am pretty sure you could make just about any type of creature you want in Spore and hopefully that's the case!

[Thunderclap]

Oh, also, I just checked Amazon and it says the game runs on Windows 95 / 98 / ME. I have an ME laptop, but I would much rather use my new Windows XP Professional. Can old games run on new computers? Forgive me if I sound ignorant.

[Venmoch]

Yeah. You should be able to run it on XP.

If it doesn't theres always XP's compatibility mode. Which fools the program by making it think its running in ME. (Thats not quite how it works but the best way to explain it :P)

[Thunderclap]

Yeah. You should be able to run it on XP.

If it doesn't theres always XP's compatibility mode. Which fools the program by making it think its running in ME. (Thats not quite how it works but the best way to explain it :P)

What's compatibility mode? Sounds interesting. Can I download it for free somewhere?

[Lucid]

Summer's here, time to go outside.

Great RPG during the summer is Real-Life.
The graphics aren't too good, but the gameplay is deep and absorbing.

Edit : Get Fallout & Fallout 2, both astounding RPGs... pretty funny too.
Or Star Wars : Knights of the Old Republic, best Star Wars game ever imho.

[Gray Fox]

You can play torment on xp, no need for the compatibility mode.
Simply install and play.

[ĐynastҰ]

Summer's here, time to go outside.

Great RPG during the summer is Real-Life.
The graphics aren't too good, but the gameplay is deep and absorbing.

Edit : Get Fallout & Fallout 2, both astounding RPGs... pretty funny too.
Or Star Wars : Knights of the Old Republic, best Star Wars game ever imho.


But...but...theres no spawn points in RL!!

If youre looking for an online game, WoW and Guild Wars spring to mind.

But Baldur's Gate 2, Fallout 2, Neverwinter Nights and Final Fantasy XI all scream out for a singleplayer experience. Come to think of it, there arent that many (decent) singleplayer RPGs nowadays. MMORPGs is where all the money is at?

[Gray Fox]

But...but...theres no spawn points in RL!!

If youre looking for an online game, WoW and Guild Wars spring to mind.

But Baldur's Gate 2, Fallout 2, Neverwinter Nights and Final Fantasy XI all scream out for a singleplayer experience. Come to think of it, there arent that many (decent) singleplayer RPGs nowadays. MMORPGs is where all the money is at?
:imu: :imu:

[ĐynastҰ]

Very...productive post? ^^

[Gargantou]

I wish Spore and SupCom were out for xmas, that'd be great.. But I guess Q1 2k7 is good too, I just hope they don't both end up being released at the end of Q1, i.e. March :(

[Gray Fox]

Very...productive post? ^^
:bounce: :bounce:

[Thunderclap]

Damn it people, of course I'll go outside and fly kites and hug puppies and eat ice cream and whatnot, BUT I WILL ALSO PLAY RPGs!


NOTE: My main complaint about RL is there's no saves.

[Gargantou]

My main complaint about RL is there's no godmode or noclip!:D

[Thunderclap]

My main complaint about RL is there's no godmode or noclip!:D

I thought the whole point of science was to figure out the cheat codes of RL. :P

[Gargantou]

That's true, I hope my future children gets the chance to noclip through the door to the girls dressingroom in school!!:laugh:

[Thunderclap]

Damn it, I looked up Fallout 2 and now I don't know what to buy.

Curse you all and your excellent suggestions!

I'm looking for an RPG that really does give the sensation that I'm someone else. Multiple ways of solving quests/multiple game endings etc. Like in Oblivion, no matter if you play a warrior, thief, or mage, the game is almost identical: bows/spells/blades are all the same.

Maybe something like really diverse dialogue options, depending on your own unique character. That would really help immersion. Any suggestions?

[Somefool]

I would suggest you buy them all. If you're lucky, you might be able to find the Fallout bundle for $10, same with Torment. BG2 should be easier to find, it comes with the expansion also for $20.

All of these games have multiple ways of doing things to fit different play styles. These games should keep you busy for more than just summer. I also suggest Deus Ex if you don't mind it being a FPS/RPG hybrid.

[Dog--]

One quick question about Spore before I get to my main point: how closely can we replicate humans in the game? Call me unimaginative but I really want to make humans, however, looking from what I've seen, they're missing two critically human things: sexual dimorphism (physical differences between males and females) and live births.

If you want cartoon porn, just use google!

Seriously, though why would you want to make humans? That's basicly what the game is for, making your own creatures...

[Qonfused]

I hack RL.

[Thunderclap]

If you want cartoon porn, just use google!

Seriously, though why would you want to make humans? That's basicly what the game is for, making your own creatures...

I am one of the few people who think humans are kickass and the deadliest predator in the world, and thus I wish to replicate them. And also, I'll probably make them Ubermenschen, like Space Marines from W40K or something.

I hack RL.

Only Jesus can hack RL.

[Dog--]

No, Predator is more predatorial than humans... make him.

Although, technically he is a bi-ped, ah well... he is still cool

[Thunderclap]

No, Predator is more predatorial than humans... make him.

Although, technically he is a bi-ped, ah well... he is still cool

All the Predator has is skill and equipment, like humans. He may be stronger than our glorious Govenator (I'm Californian), but take away his suit he's pretty hobbled.

Now the Alien is a whole different story...

[NightBlade2011]

Play KOTOR 1 and 2 those are the best RPG's along with the Baldur Gates.

[Dog--]

Yea, but the Alien is like half bi-ped, it uses it's arms alot to walk, and crawl, and climb....

[Thunderclap]

Yea, but the Alien is like half bi-ped, it uses it's arms alot to walk, and crawl, and climb....

Yeah, it can pretty much switch between whatever's most convenient. In ALIENS I think you see it hange by its tail at some point, and it can probably swing from tree to tree like a monkey. And it can spiderwalk on ceilings and shit.

As much as I'd like to discuss this in detail, let's get back on topic por favor.

[Krajj54]

I really didn't enjoy Guild Wars. In my opinion, its decent if you want an MMORPG, but there are better options out there. Get it if you don't like paying a monthly fee.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a solid choice too. Just played through it again as evil, and it's still great. :cheese:

[Thunderclap]

I'm not a fan of MMORPGs. I watched a friend of mine play WoW and it looked like awful. It looked like a grind, everyone was talking in leet, and there were those "trains" everywhere (a phenomena where low-level characters are pursued by a group of monsters. They resemble a conga line).

[destrukt]

Damn it people, of course I'll go outside and fly kites and hug puppies and eat ice cream and whatnot, BUT I WILL ALSO PLAY RPGs!
i vote you for miss universe.


if you find sacred for a cheap price, get that, it's pretty good.

[hungryduck]

I'm not a fan of MMORPGs. I watched a friend of mine play WoW and it looked like awful. It looked like a grind, everyone was talking in leet, and there were those "trains" everywhere (a phenomena where low-level characters are pursued by a group of monsters. They resemble a conga line).

conga line! sweet! :)

[JNightshade]

Has anybody here played Jade Empire? I've heard great things, and I've really wanted to try it out for a looong time, but nobody's mentioned it...

[destrukt]

jade empire was.. okay, i didn't like it much, worth playing i guess.

[Sparta]

Has anybody here played Jade Empire? I've heard great things, and I've really wanted to try it out for a looong time, but nobody's mentioned it...
Rented it. Played for about an hour and bit. Bad. Rather dull and a very poor combat system.

[Thunderclap]

So what I keep hearing is BG, KOTOR, and the Fallout series. Now, I think I'm going to hold out for Fallout 3, and I've already played Baldur's Gate. Now I have a PC, so I can get KOTOR, but I've been asking this question on a few other forums I am a member of, and I keep getting Planescape: Torment back. So I think I'll check that out. Thanks for your help folks!

i vote you for miss universe.

From an Antlion to a humble Manhack, I am honored.

[Homless Snark]

Vampire : Bloodlines

Very underrated game because when it was initially released it had compatability problems. Buy it, install the 1.2 patch, and enjoy what is one of the best games i've played. I've had a few moments where it's crashed to the desktop but it auto-saves (and I save myself) frequently enough where it isn't a huge issue.

Want to beat somebody up with a bat? How about a tire iron? Or maybe you'll lure a hooker into a back corner and suck on her blood. Seduce a young girl in a hospital and turn her into your slave girl who gives you here college tuition checks for your own pockets. Battle skitzophrenic hotties that were raped by their fathers at a young age causing them to develop the disorder. Pump through a graveyard of swarming zombies attempting to escape out into the city. Raid a porno production studio filled with two legged face creatures.

It's 3rd or first person, you level up in many different disciplines, you have blood magic and stuff that you can do, you can control other character by putting them in trances, or brainwashing etc, use bloodshields to protect, or just enchantments.

The humor in the game is great to. Like in the 3rd city you walk into a gaming cafe and scratched into the wall of one of the PC's with a big arrow pointing to it is AWP WHore, and in another Noob Camper.

The game just rocks.

[Thunderclap]

Game sounds awesome Homless Snark, but while not the worst offenders, my parents do check the ESRB warning. I doubt I'll get Bloodlines through their sniff test, especially if it mentions sexual content. Thanks all the same.

[Somefool]

Game sounds awesome Homless Snark, but while not the worst offenders, my parents do check the ESRB warning. I doubt I'll get Bloodlines through their sniff test, especially if it mentions sexual content. Thanks all the same.

Then you might have a difficult time obtaining Fallout since both of those games are rated M. Reason? There are drugs, alcohol, sexual content, and tons of gore. But it's those things that make it so much more fun to play.

[Laivasse]

Damn it, I looked up Fallout 2 and now I don't know what to buy.

Curse you all and your excellent suggestions!

I'm looking for an RPG that really does give the sensation that I'm someone else. Multiple ways of solving quests/multiple game endings etc. Like in Oblivion, no matter if you play a warrior, thief, or mage, the game is almost identical: bows/spells/blades are all the same.

Maybe something like really diverse dialogue options, depending on your own unique character. That would really help immersion. Any suggestions?

Planescape: Torment sounds like the game for you. Here's a thread where some of us gushed about it a while back. (http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103562&highlight=torment)

It's not nearly as non-linear as Fallout or even as Baldur's Gate in terms of exploration, but in terms of dialogue and dramatic impact it's pretty immense. I remember once reading how many words of text were written for it - I forget the exact number but it was pretty obscene.

If you can cope with retro graphics also check out Fallout 1 or 2 at some point. If you can't, then just make yourself play them anyway. Fallout 2 is widely regarded as *the* PC RPG when it comes to genuine RolePlaying(tm). Character creation is incredibly deep and you can approach the game in any way you like. I read how one guy tried to get through the game with an Intelligence stat of 1, and so he was only able to select the retarded/comedy/insult dialogue options, yet still managed it somehow by just smashing through the game with brawn. At the other end of the scale, give yourself genius intelligence and you can brainiac your way out of most situations (apart from say a raging gunfight). It's deeper even than Planescape in this respect, since with Planescape you pretty much have become a Fighter/Mage/Thief to get all of the story.

Like Somefool said, Fallout is a pretty adult series. Slavery, prostitution, gangsterism, drug addiction all pop up, and not just as themes - you really have to watch it with the drugs thing. My char got hooked on incredibly expensive radiation treatment medicine (RadAway), and then died of withdrawal when I tried to go cold turkey. That nearly screwed up my game. As for the gore though, it's used sparingly until you get hold of some of the more swish hardware later in the game, and despite the modest graphics Fallout's gore is some of the most satisfying ever. I'll never forget finally getting hold of my first Magnum, and then watching some guy's torso pop apart in a critical hit. I was beaming, guv, beaming.

[Lucid]

Vampire : Bloodlines

Very underrated game because when it was initially released it had compatability problems. Buy it, install the 1.2 patch, and enjoy what is one of the best games i've played. I've had a few moments where it's crashed to the desktop but it auto-saves (and I save myself) frequently enough where it isn't a huge issue.

Want to beat somebody up with a bat? How about a tire iron? Or maybe you'll lure a hooker into a back corner and suck on her blood. Seduce a young girl in a hospital and turn her into your slave girl who gives you here college tuition checks for your own pockets. Battle skitzophrenic hotties that were raped by their fathers at a young age causing them to develop the disorder. Pump through a graveyard of swarming zombies attempting to escape out into the city. Raid a porno production studio filled with two legged face creatures.

It's 3rd or first person, you level up in many different disciplines, you have blood magic and stuff that you can do, you can control other character by putting them in trances, or brainwashing etc, use bloodshields to protect, or just enchantments.

The humor in the game is great to. Like in the 3rd city you walk into a gaming cafe and scratched into the wall of one of the PC's with a big arrow pointing to it is AWP WHore, and in another Noob Camper.

The game just rocks.

God damn o.o'
You certainly make the game sound awesome.

But, due to conflicting opinions... and no demo.
I can't say I'd buy the game.

About Planescape, what kind of RPG is it? Diablo-esque or Baldur's Gate-esque?

[Thunderclap]

God damn o.o'
You certainly make the game sound awesome.

But, due to conflicting opinions... and no demo.
I can't say I'd buy the game.

About Planescape, what kind of RPG is it? Diablo-esque or Baldur's Gate-esque?

From what I understand its Baldur's Gate-esque. It's set in the city of Sigil, the center of the universe in D&D Cosmology. Its a DMZ between heaven and hell and the streets are packed with angels, demons, and plane-hopping mortals. An inimical and alien ube-deity rules the city: The Lady of Pain. She does not take part in or even cares about the war between good and evil. All she is concerned with is that peace is kept within the city limits.

All in all, am exciting setting bursting with opportunity.

[Lucid]

From what I understand its Baldur's Gate-esque. It's set in the city of Sigil, the center of the universe in D&D Cosmology. Its a DMZ between heaven and hell and the streets are packed with angels, demons, and plane-hopping mortals. An inimical and alien ube-deity rules the city: The Lady of Pain. She does not take part in or even cares about the war between good and evil. All she is concerned with is that peace is kept within the city limits.

All in all, am exciting setting bursting with opportunity.

Ah in that case, it's a pass for me.

I'm really a heavy RPG enthusiast... but I do enjoy the occasional RPG set in a universe that I'm familiar with(ie : Star Wars)

[Thunderclap]

Just a check in because I had to say this. I'm loving Planescape and am at the Brothel for the Slating of Intellectual Thirsts, you know, that whorehouse without sex. Anyway...I just gave the fiend tongue to the mute courtesan, and I was laughing my ass off the whole time. If I may paraphrase:

Ecco (the courtesan): Oh thank you so much, this tongue works great. Now--KNEEL BEFORE ME PUNY HUMAN!

Me: What?

Ecco: Oh dear, I think there's something more to this to--I WILL EAT YOUR SOUL AND BIND YOU TO MY WILL! BEG FOR MERCY, THOUGH YOU SHALL RECEIVE NONE!

Me: We really should get this checked out. I know an alchemist who can help.

Ecco: Oh, thank you, kind sir! If you do this, you have my everlasting gra--PROSTRATE YOURSELF BEFORE YOUR MASTER, INSECT!

Me: Bye now!

[MorganFreeman911]

I heard The Elder Scrolls I: Arena is pretty good.
Sadly it runs in DOS 5.
I actually tried to run it. It starts in a black screen, then crashes to desktop without a error sign. Please help me fix this! I want to play it! [/sarcasm]

[Bob_Marley]

and the Fallout series. Now, I think I'm going to hold out for Fallout 3.

Dont hold your breath. IMO grab Fallout 1, 2 & tactics on DVD and play through them - if your not too worried about graphics and can see through the 1997ness of it all, they're damn fine games.

[Gargantou]

I heard The Elder Scrolls I: Arena is pretty good.
Sadly it runs in DOS 5.
I actually tried to run it. It starts in a black screen, then crashes to desktop without a error sign. Please help me fix this! I want to play it! [/sarcasm]I'd say Daggerfall is far better than Arena, but Daggerfall can be a real bitch to get running properly, even with DOSBox etc.

[CptStern]

Gothic 3 (http://pc.ign.com/objects/726/726093.html) will be released on October 13 in europe and a few weeks later in the US ..3rd person rpg with a massive world

it wont use starforce if anyone's curious


Neverwinter Nights 2 in november


looking forward to gothic 3 ..there'll be a demo