Top Ten *RPG* Games PC

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Short Version:
WoW 4 out of 5
Icewind Dale 4/5 (good hack and slash, not much story)
KOTOR 5/5 (awesome in every way IMO)
Baldurs Gate 5/5 (awesome in most ways)

Long Version:

Well, I'm playing WoW right now, which is pretty good. Playing on a PvP server and I kinda suck, so I get killed quite often which makes the game less fun. Melee combat is a bit boring to watch (especially compared to the awesome animations in KOTOR), but the tactics make it pretty fun. Also, the multiplayer aspect can be good and bad. I play in a guild with my old college room mates, so we have a lot of fun doing quests together. Doing something with a pick-up group can be an excercise in frustration though.

Overall I give WoW 4 out of 5

Before WoW I played KOTOR, and that game was GREAT. 5/5 (Haven't played the second one, maybe I will soon).

I tried playing Temple of Elemental Evil, but got annoyed by bugs and never really got going. I may need to go back and try it again. 2.5/5

Played Morrowind but never even really started the main quest line. Soooo much to do in that game, but just never felt like I was getting anywhere. I think it would have been more fun if it was a bit more focused. Plus the quest log sucked and I would loose track of everything I was doing. 3/5

Icewind Dale was a great hack and slash game. Not a huge story, but still lots of good action. 4/5

Baldurs Gate was a classic for me. Really enjoyed all aspects. 5/5


If you had to start with a single game, I'd recommend KOTOR.

-D'oh!

 

[trikster2]

Guild Wars

Best MMORPG ever!

Just kidding. I think Acanthus must work for Blizzard or Verant, he has a full time job going around the forums slamming GW non MMORPGness.

Topic is RPG right? no one is claiming GW is or is not a MMORPG (except Acantus).

GW is a decent GAME no matter what you call it.

There's a nice storyline there if you care for it. Complete with cinematics generated with the game engine (puts your party in the cinematics, really nice).

There is a funny /. thread that talks about morrowind and how little time the writers had to write the crappy stories that make up the quests. Don't have the link but it's worth looking up for a laugh

 

[imported_Gorath]

@Gigantopithecus:
Yep, I first played Betrayal at Krondor when it was published in 1993, and it was amazing for its time. To make a 3d RPG run adequately on an AMD 386-25 (which was considerably slower than the Intel equivalent) with 4MB RAM and a 512 KB graphics card was quite an achievement. But it was the writing, more than the technical excellence, that really distinguished BaK. It's rare to find writing that achieves such harmony with the fantasy world portrayed by the game. In most, it's painfully obvious that the novelistic elements took a back seat to the technical.

Jan Paul Moorhead's Betrayal at Krondor soundtrack (when performed by an orchestra, as were the tracks that came with the CD version of the game, rather than by a MIDI synthesizer) is still the most touching musical score I've heard in a computer game, with the sole exception of Kirill Pokrovsky's compositions for Divine Divinity.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: trikster2

Guild Wars

Best MMORPG ever!

Just kidding. I think Acanthus must work for Blizzard or Verant, he has a full time job going around the forums slamming GW non MMORPGness.

Topic is RPG right? no one is claiming GW is or is not a MMORPG (except Acantus).

GW is a decent GAME no matter what you call it.

There's a nice storyline there if you care for it. Complete with cinematics generated with the game engine (puts your party in the cinematics, really nice).

There is a funny /. thread that talks about morrowind and how little time the writers had to write the crappy stories that make up the quests. Don't have the link but it's worth looking up for a laugh

Nah im just seriously sick of it being thrown in with all the mmorpgs and having the fee being associated with the game. It DOES mislead players into thinking its a mmo. It isnt, it isnt even close.

 

[Praetorian7]

Cant't wait for D&D Online

 

[EvilManagedCare]

I am disturbed everyone identifies Neverwinter Nights as one of the best RPGs, and yet very few, if any, have mentioned Planescape: Torment. Great dialogue (if you don't like to read in games then stay away), unique setting, interesting NPCs, dialgoue choices had actual consequences and great story means you have a great game. It met little critical acclaim, and evidently didn't sell all that well, but it is one of the best RPGs since the old days on the 8 bit computers.

As others have posted, Fallout 1 & 2 are definately among the best, if not THE best. Great rules system, interesting setting, and most of all the dialogue choices varying depending on your skills and attribute scores makes for great gameplay. Furthermore, your choices in conversations can have an effect on the storyline. Games like BG (not so much in #2), which I did thoroughly enjoy, have lacking dialogue systems. The only effect your conversation choice had was what the NPC was going to say to you before they suddenly attacked.

Morrowind has been mentioned. I so wanted to like this game. The world was immersive, but I prefer games in which there is a party ala BG series. The conversation/dialogue system was abyssmal. That and the real-time combat just didn't do it for me.

Neverwinter Nights broke my heart. It came out shortly after I finished BG2/ToB and I was really hoping it would be almost and extension of that. I bought it for the single-player campaign, though I knew going in the focus was to be on the construction set and playing user-made mods. However, everyone at Bioware assured the public the SP campaign was going to be great. Well that assertion wasn't exactly true now was it? The SP campaign was an absolute abortion. Your character starts off in some "adventurers academy." Honestly. Then, predictably, this great institution is assaulted by low level humanoids flinging you into the hackneyed main story. I just couldn't take it. Admittedly, I've been interested in getting the platinum edition because they seem to have fixed a lot of what was lacking, and there is a plethora of reportedly good user mods. MAybe I'll just wait for NWN 2 instead.

 

[dfloyd]

Why does everyone like a group in a RPG?

Does everyone know what RPG means? Kind of hard to roleplay a group of chars. At least imo. I do enjoy group games but for roleplaying purposes (Where I am trying to be the hero) I ten times prefer a individual. A sidekick at most, but the sidekick needs to have ai to control them or else it really starts to seperate the individual from the character which honestly defeats the purpose of a RPG. A RPG is supposed to be about roleplaying your char. Thats what they were founded on, and is my understanding of what is required to be able to truly be called a RPG. I think many games are called RPG because they use stats, skills, spells, quests, etc, but I dont know if they truly fit the spirit of the defintion.

 

[EvilManagedCare]

Originally posted by: dfloyd
I think many games are called RPG because they use stats, skills, spells, quests, etc, but I dont know if they truly fit the spirit of the defintion.

You're absolutely right, and unfortunately it's an unavoidable shortcoming of PC gaming. Computer games can only try and come close in capturing the PnP RPG. IMO Planescape and the Fallouts do it best as far as single player games go. Diablo, while lots of fun (and I played it a bunch when it was released), did not create much that feeling, it contained all the stats, quests, etc as above, so it was called an RPG. Is it really an RPG? Not really.

Often you'll hear players yelling about how MMORPGs are true RPGs. While players can chat in character and help create an RP atmosphere, there actions are still ultimately limited by the game engine and content programmed into the game. With what could be considered "true" roleplaying, the actions of the characters was limited only by the imaginations of the players. With PC games that are in the RPG genre (which we know contains many that really shouldn't be in it), I am just hoping to play the next closest thing to my days of game dorkiness playing AD&D with friends. Some games are better than others at creating this situation.

In regard to your question about roleplaying a group it comes to personal preference. For whatever reason I like the idea of having a party of varied character classes instead on one character. I know there are many others who prefer the single character game. I won't write a game off simply because of that. For me it's more about integrating good gameplay with a compelling, nonlinear plotline.

 

[Praytus]

might and magic 1, 2, and 3

 

[CU]

What are some good single player party controlled rpgs? I really liked having a party in Dungeon Siege. I just wish the rpg part was better. I also really liked Morrowind and I am playing WOW now. It seems I need to try Fallout and Gothic also.

 

[Praetorian7]

Originally posted by: CU
What are some good single player party controlled rpgs? I really liked having a party in Dungeon Siege. I just wish the rpg part was better. I also really liked Morrowind and I am playing WOW now. It seems I need to try Fallout and Gothic also.

KOTOR

 

[pulsedrive]

Sorry I gotta say I wasn't thrilled with Guild Wars, I am simply glad I am not paying a fee for it. Because I barely play it, I played it for the first couple of days pretty hardcore, but then I realized that it just wasn't that enthralling. *shrugs* Didn't really do anything for me, because I was too busy trying to grind to a level where I could continue on with the single player story, which I just wasn't thrilled with, I mean I wanted to find out what happens, but the fact that there are times where you HAVE to grind just irritates me.

 

[doublejbass]

Originally posted by: EvilManagedCare

Originally posted by: dfloyd
I think many games are called RPG because they use stats, skills, spells, quests, etc, but I dont know if they truly fit the spirit of the defintion.

You're absolutely right, and unfortunately it's an unavoidable shortcoming of PC gaming. Computer games can only try and come close in capturing the PnP RPG. IMO Planescape and the Fallouts do it best as far as single player games go. Diablo, while lots of fun (and I played it a bunch when it was released), did not create much that feeling, it contained all the stats, quests, etc as above, so it was called an RPG. Is it really an RPG? Not really.

Often you'll hear players yelling about how MMORPGs are true RPGs. While players can chat in character and help create an RP atmosphere, there actions are still ultimately limited by the game engine and content programmed into the game. With what could be considered "true" roleplaying, the actions of the characters was limited only by the imaginations of the players. With PC games that are in the RPG genre (which we know contains many that really shouldn't be in it), I am just hoping to play the next closest thing to my days of game dorkiness playing AD&D with friends. Some games are better than others at creating this situation.

In regard to your question about roleplaying a group it comes to personal preference. For whatever reason I like the idea of having a party of varied character classes instead on one character. I know there are many others who prefer the single character game. I won't write a game off simply because of that. For me it's more about integrating good gameplay with a compelling, nonlinear plotline.

There's a point to this, and I think it's simple. RPG or CRPG is its own term nowadays as a computer/console game genre, and doesn't especially stand for Role Playing Game. And that's fine, any true role-playing most people who play games wouldn't have the intelligence or the creativity. Even "freeform" shiite like AD&D and V:tM are for mental midgets.

 

[Cheesetogo]

(( sorry cheese hacked ur name so i could post Not gona steal ur name though so no worries ))

OK well here is my opinion of Guild Wars IT ISN'T AND RPG the game is based solely around pvp there is no Roll playing it it at all the games plot it horrible the game play is boreing. The thing that bugs me about it is that there is no RP the basis of a RPG i mean its right in the name! "Roll Playing" Game. other than that FallOut is a great game, My personal Favorite is Morrowind: Elderscroll III after that i would say world of warcraft... everquest 2 you have to have a very good computer for so i have yet to play that game.

(( agian no harm ment in hacking your name cheese ))

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: CU
What are some good single player party controlled rpgs? I really liked having a party in Dungeon Siege. I just wish the rpg part was better. I also really liked Morrowind and I am playing WOW now. It seems I need to try Fallout and Gothic also.

Surprisingly GW is also player/party controlled. You can have up to 5 NPCs in your party which actually alows you to solo when your freinds are not around.

RE: GW/grind

We did not even figure out there is a storyline until we were level 11 or 12. Until we figured out that little mission button was actually an entrance to the storyline we were just "grinding" and enjoying it. (my friend and I actually walked to the academy, frontier gate and yaks bend). I do not find leveling in GW a grind it's with my friends hanging out (if you don't have friends any game I find boring) and all we do is quests (no camping a spawn to level as I have seen done in other games). I find the quests in GW much better than quests in other games I've played like DAOC, EQ, COH. The cool thing about the quests is you need to do them to get good skills, and unlock content in the PvP game. So you actaully get something out of them useful besides a new sword and a few GP.

> busy trying to grind to a level where I could continue on with the single player story

Pulsedrive: where did you get stuck in the single player story? Finding the missions require some thought to solve. Like the academy, you can open the gate and go head on into the horde and die, or level until you can kill them, or you can run around and pick up "lost soldiers" to add to your party and attack them from behind. Or in the Ft Ranik quest, if you don't put the catapult together you would have a hard time killing all the mobs and so on. The bonuses are also fun to figure out. In surmia we killed the ember bearers the second we saw them. Doh. They needed to open the door to the flame. So far lots of fun, maybe we will tire of it in a few weeks, by them I will consider my $39.95 well spent.....

 

[pulsedrive]

I believe it was right after I ported over to the post destruction part of the game. I got through the first few quests pretty easily, but the only problem is that when ever you leave an area they ALL repop, which is kinda a pain if you have a small amount of bags and need to sell crap occasionally. *shrugs* not to mention, you really can't just run past them, because the reset range on the mobs is NUTS! I have had a few follow me half way across the map

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: pulsedrive
I believe it was right after I ported over to the post destruction part of the game. I got through the first few quests pretty easily, but the only problem is that when ever you leave an area they ALL repop, which is kinda a pain if you have a small amount of bags and need to sell crap occasionally. *shrugs* not to mention, you really can't just run past them, because the reset range on the mobs is NUTS! I have had a few follow me half way across the map

Yeah they will folow a long way. But your radar has an agro circle wich is pretty cool. It's hard but you can work that agro circle and avoid a lot.

Never have had a problem with having to return to sell. You did have a salvage kit and an expert salvage kit? Once you get all the bags and expand them more than enough slots. Asset management is one of the better aspects of the game.

Game really just gets started when you pass through the searing. Quiting and judging after that would be like saying baldurs gate is crap if you quit after leaving the castle.

Also if you are not playing with friends I could see how talking to the NPCs would get boring after a while. It's the muliplayer with the RPG style storyline that makes the game so much fun for us.....

Also want to make it clear unless you do the actual "mision" (from the mission button on the group/party window) you are not doing the RPG style story line. The quests you get from talking to the people with exclamation points over their heads are different little side stories that are fun but no where near as entertaining.

 

[Stinkfinger]

All this talk of great RPGs an no one mentiones Star Control 2?

Plus, you can't beat the price:
http://sc2.sourceforge.net/

 

[phlashphire]

gotta go with Fallout 2.
Then this other game... crap* name escapes me. It was made by troika or something, where in the beginning you crash from an zepplin and you have amnesia... Anyone know what game I'm talking about?

 

[imported_Gorath]

@phlashphire:
Maybe Arcanum?

 

[zmaster]

The only game where you get a ridable-dragon-flying-npc.

DRAKAN

 

[UzairH]

Originally posted by: CU
What are some good single player party controlled rpgs? I really liked having a party in Dungeon Siege. I just wish the rpg part was better. I also really liked Morrowind and I am playing WOW now. It seems I need to try Fallout and Gothic also.

kotor is obviuosly great as far as part-controlled rpgs go. If you want a good single player ACTION rpg, try Gothic 2 (not gothic 1). You'll love it!

 

[Kaspian]

kotor, diablo 2, baldurs gate 1

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: zmaster
The only game where you get a ridable-dragon-flying-npc.

DRAKAN

but NOT a RPG . . . an action FPS - actually third person view, really . . .
. . . "nice view" for an old game
:thumbsup:

Where does System Shock2 fit in? It is a hybred fps/rpg i guess . . . a CLASSIC and updated with hi-res packs . . . i finally just started it [on Win98se].

 

[phlashphire]

Originally posted by: Gorath
@phlashphire:
Maybe Arcanum?

YES!! Arcanum, I thought that was an awesome rpg. Surprised that it hasn't been mentioned yet.