Which RPG should I get?

[Pokey93]

I have been kicking around the idea of trying an RPG style game. Until now I have only played FPS games and would like to try something new.

I have done some checking around (by lurking on this and other forums) to get an idea of what to buy. The four most talked about games, and my top choices (in no particular order) are:

1. Diablo II
2. Baulder's Gate II
3. Planescape: Torment
4. Fallout 2

A friend of mine let me try his copy of Diablo II and I played through acts 1 and 2 before I deleted it from my HD. I did not delete it because I didn't like it, but rather I did not feel right finishing the whole game without buying it. However, that was my first and only experience with an RPG so I have nothing else to go by.

Through my browsing of the forums it seems that there is a small debate about weather Diablo II should be classified as a real RPG or not. So I am a bit undecided as what to get. The same guy who let me try Diablo II thinks that BG was the better of the two.

Both D2 and BG2 look like great prospects because of the up and coming expansion packs for both games. I have little information about fallout or planescape except that it sound as if both were fantastic games.

However, I would like to know a few things before I make my final decision.

a. Are the game interfaces and gameplay pretty much the same between RPG's or are they different from game to game? For example, most FPS are set up the same way (standard movements (jump, run, strafe, etc.), 10 weapons w/ 2 modes of fire, standard pick-up items, the baddies have a set hit point before they die, etc.)

b. Could someone describe the gameplay of each (well the ones you have played ) Especially if there is a big difference between them.

c. If my choice comes down to D2, BG2, or Fallout 2, should I spend the time to play the original games (i.e. D1, BG1, Fallout 1) or would it be ok just to buy the new ones?

Sorry for the long post. I hope I didn?t stray too much.

Pokey

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I've played DiabloII and Fallout2. I just sold F2.

I've heard Baulder's Gate is good, but I've never heard of Planescape: Torment.

 

[joinT]

as a ex-true RPG'r (ie. books, paper, pens & DICE) I can honestly say no RPG game is fun for me

but my best friend is down with the games on the computer because we don't play anymore. He liked Baldur's Gate, but thought BG2 wasn't very fun.

I've personally hated any planescape stuff & I've heard the video games are HORRIBLE.

 

[Staver]

Well think of Diablo2 as an RPG shooter. Plan your skill tree correctly and away you go. Since you came from an FPS background, I'd say go with something similar in pace to those which would be Diablo2. An RPG like BG2 has alot of elements that you might find tedious yet an RPGer would find necessary. In other words, RPGs tend toward details where FPS tend toward action. To see if you might like BG2, there was a playable demo of it a few months back. I think it was 500+ Megs though.

 

[richleader]

Planescape Torment is probably the best of the bunch as far as story line goes and is a lot of fun as the main character is incredibly powerful and that makes it more immersive as it's easier to identify directly with him than as an overlord that just controls a party of adventurers. Worth the $15-20. It's hardcore D&D though, it's not point and click the same way that Diablo II is. Probably one of the best games ever.

Fallout 2: Buy it now, $12, can't go wrong.

If you liked diablo II, pick it up, as it's an rpg lite, you're pretty much accustomed to it already. You might as well pick up the expansion pack as well, which comes out the 28th, unless you're strapped for cash. You can just play through the game, but I suggest checking out www.diabloii.net or www.lurkerlounge.com for tips in building your character if you want to be able to survive at the harder difficulty levels. Battle.net play is addictive, it's almost like vegas with gambling and finding items and that keeps you coming back as it feels like you're actually acquiring things--so much so that you see the fools buying things on eb@y.

Baldur's gate 2 is a great game, but it's pretty complex and is a bit harder to jump into, you might want to hold off a while and play the other games first, by the time you're done, you might be able to get baldurs gate 2 and it's upcoming expansion together in one box.

Have fun!

 

[shadowfaX]

All of those are awesome RPG's - well, PS:T, from what I hear, is really, really good. I still have to get it one day.

Get Fallout 2 first. You can find a Fallout 1&2 bundle (jewel case... but you miss out on the awesome manual... dude, those Fallout manuals rock!!) online at Amazon.com for $10... or somewhere else for a similar price. You can finish both games relatively fast... they're so awesome. The replay value is really great. Fallout 1 and 2 do not have class restrictions; rather, you level up your character by allocating points into whatever skill/attribute you wish. There are so many options... you can be a diplomat too, so you don't need to fight any battles - you just talk your way out of it. Fallout 1 and 2 do not have linear storylines.

Baldur's Gate II is one of my most favorite RPGs. I love BIS and Bioware RPGs because the storyline is pretty deep. The thing about BG2 though, is that it uses the AD&D 2nd edition rules. There are class restrictions, so your character can only wear certain kinds of armor, use certain kinds of weapons, etc. At some points the story is pretty linear... that can be a good or bad thing. All depends on your point of view. Personally, I don't mind. BG2 is a huge game... I still haven't finished it

Diablo II is also a great game. I would say that it's Blizzard quality - but I guess some people interpret that in different ways. Diablo II is one of those games where you pretty much get a quest, kill hundreds of monsters, fulfill the quest, return to town, get a new quest, kill more hundreds of monsters, etc. It can become repetitive, but some people like that. D2 makes a good stress-reducing agent often. You can get some arse-kickin weapons and armor... great stuff. There aren't really class restrictions - except maybe a few select items.

Yes, the interfaces DO differ among the games. Each game has its own interface for specific purposes... I think BG2 and PS:T have the more complicated interfaces while Fallout 2 and D2 have less complicated interfaces.

It really doesn't hurt to play the first game of the series. I totally recommend you get BG1 and play that BEFORE you tackle BG2, since a lot of the things in BG2 will spoil you. Also if you get BG1 you'll understand the story a little better - but I'm not saying you won't understand it from just playing BG2. Just get BG1 and cheat your way through it - you'll be done pretty fast. Nah, just kidding. I also highly recommend Fallout 1. It's a very well made game, although the graphics may not be on par with the current graphics standard on the game market.

Hm... the choice is up to you. I would eventually get all of those games (I have all of them except Planescape: Torment) if I were you. Have fun!

 

[Pokey93]

Thanks for the information guys. As I am a newbie to the RPG world (and I don?t like missing out on any story lines) it seems that I should choose either Fallout 1 or Diablo 1 for my first RPG. In addition I will try and find a downloadable demo for Baulder?s Gate 1 and see if I like it

I checked at the local EB store in the mall and They have a used copy (Jewel case and manual) of D1 for $6.99. They also have a retail copy of F1 & F2 for $12 each.

ShadowfaX, you provided a lot of good info there. Thanks for the post. I do have one question, though. Was that a sincere remark about the Fallout manuals? In the FPS world all of the manuals I have ever seen weren?t worth using as toilet paper so I am not sure if your comment was sarcasm or sincerity. If you were sincere and the manuals are beneficial, then I will buy the retail copy (the money difference is not an issue) from EB. If it was sarcasm, then I will opt for the Amazon 2-for-1 $10 special.

Pokey

 

[Jedibus]

Dude, rpgs are not rocket science. The Baldurs Gate series is awesome.

 

[richleader]

Skip diablo 1--it was good and everything, but D2 is a better place to start.