Essential RPGs

For discussing role-playing video games, you know, the ones with combat.
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Magic Undulator
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Essential RPGs

Post by Magic Undulator »

The older I get, the less I enjoy wasting time with rpgs and games in general. Even when I do get some free time, I hate the feeling when you realize I wasted my whole afternoon and it’s not coming back.
That said, due to years of “conditioning” myself with video games (since 1993 I believe), I still want to catch that feeling of awe and pleasure of transporting myself into a different world (yeah I’m a storyfag). So to find balance between these opposing sides of myself, what would you consider to be the *essential* rpgs (this can be expanded to all games) that certainly aren’t wasted time and one shouldn’t miss? For example, I adore BG1 but wouldn’t recommend it to everyone as essential.
The list for me would be: Planescape, Deus ex, Fallout, Arcanum, KoTC, System Shock 2 and I get the sense that I’ll add Dark sun one day.
Note that these don’t completely overlap with what I’d say are *best* rpgs. That would include Fallout 2, Baldurs gate 1+2, IWD etc.
I didn’t explain why I picked these but I’d appreciate if anyone explained his choices.
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Gregz
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Post by Gregz »

Your games list isn't bad, here are more that I would add:

JA2, VTMB, Warband + Pendor, D2 + Median XL, Borderlands 1, Daggerfall, WoW Classic, Everquest, certain wizardry/might&magic/bard's tale games.

@rusty_shackleford no one is using your forum's list function because it still sucks.
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Post by GhostCow »

Troubleshooter because it's the best buildporn game ever made, has 0 poz, and is from an indie
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Tweed
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Post by Tweed »

Betrayal at Krondor
Dark Heart of Urkel
Darklands
Dungeon Master
Eye of the Beholder
Gothic 1, 2, and Archolos
Might and Magic Xeen, 6, and possibly 2, 3, 4, and 7
Quest for Glory 1, 2, and 4. 3 and 5 are a bit weak, but play them anyway.
Shadowrun on the Genesis which is a CRPG through and through and possibly the SNES game
Ultima IV and V, possibly VI
Wasteland, the original either in DOS or the C64.
Wizardry 1, 2, 3, and especially 4
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rusty_shackleford
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Post by rusty_shackleford »

Albion, the most overlooked good RPG.
https://www.gog.com/en/game/albion
Gregz wrote: March 28th, 2023, 19:07
@rusty_shackleford no one is using your forum's list function because it still sucks.
viewtopic.php?p=6123#p6123

Soon™
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GothGirlSupremacy
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Post by GothGirlSupremacy »

Magic Undulator wrote: March 28th, 2023, 18:55
I adore BG1 but wouldn’t recommend it to everyone as essential.
Jesus Christ, stop being gay.
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KnightoftheWind
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Post by KnightoftheWind »

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Fallout 3 (The only good Fallout)
Paper Mario
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Super Mario RPG
Ys Origin
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

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Post by Dead »

Why did you post a picture of your wife's boyfriend?

Grimoire: Heralds of the Winged Exemplar
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Post by KnightoftheWind »

Dead wrote: March 29th, 2023, 13:53
Why did you post a picture of your wife's boyfriend?

Grimoire: Heralds of the Winged Exemplar
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Rigwort
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Post by Rigwort »

Tweed wrote: March 29th, 2023, 03:17
Betrayal at Krondor
Dark Heart of Urkel
Darklands
Dungeon Master
Eye of the Beholder
Gothic 1, 2, and Archolos
Might and Magic Xeen, 6, and possibly 2, 3, 4, and 7
Quest for Glory 1, 2, and 4. 3 and 5 are a bit weak, but play them anyway.
Shadowrun on the Genesis which is a CRPG through and through and possibly the SNES game
Ultima IV and V, possibly VI
Wasteland, the original either in DOS or the C64.
Wizardry 1, 2, 3, and especially 4
The SNES game all time, huh? Mighty high praise. Also, why no Ultima VII?
I'm really interested how everyone is defining "essential". Like, essential as "in order to understand cRPGs you must play these games"? Or is it more of a, "You will know if you like cRPGs if you play these games"? Or is it "if you want to like cRPGs play these games"? I can't say I have anything to add, because I don't think I've played enough to really give my opinion.
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Magic Undulator
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Post by Magic Undulator »

Rigwort wrote: March 29th, 2023, 19:04
Tweed wrote: March 29th, 2023, 03:17
Betrayal at Krondor
Dark Heart of Urkel
Darklands
Dungeon Master
Eye of the Beholder
Gothic 1, 2, and Archolos
Might and Magic Xeen, 6, and possibly 2, 3, 4, and 7
Quest for Glory 1, 2, and 4. 3 and 5 are a bit weak, but play them anyway.
Shadowrun on the Genesis which is a CRPG through and through and possibly the SNES game
Ultima IV and V, possibly VI
Wasteland, the original either in DOS or the C64.
Wizardry 1, 2, 3, and especially 4
The SNES game all time, huh? Mighty high praise. Also, why no Ultima VII?
I'm really interested how everyone is defining "essential". Like, essential as "in order to understand cRPGs you must play these games"? Or is it more of a, "You will know if you like cRPGs if you play these games"? Or is it "if you want to like cRPGs play these games"? I can't say I have anything to add, because I don't think I've played enough to really give my opinion.
Essential meaning: the game adds something to the genre other games don’t have or don’t do so well, and doesn’t have too much “empty calories” - trash mobs, backtracking, grind etc. that’s designed solely for padding out play time. For that reason I’m not sure any MMO can really be considered “essential”.
In other words, games you wouldn’t regret wasting your time with, or better said those that aren’t designed to waste it.
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Magic Undulator
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Post by Magic Undulator »

Gregz wrote: March 28th, 2023, 19:07
Your games list isn't bad, here are more that I would add:

JA2, VTMB, Warband + Pendor, D2 + Median XL, Borderlands 1, Daggerfall, WoW Classic, Everquest, certain wizardry/might&magic/bard's tale games.

@rusty_shackleford no one is using your forum's list function because it still sucks.
I played Warband with Pendor for at least several hundred hours, but that’s exactly the issue - I find it’s gameplay loop too addictive. I consciously avoid such games now because I know I’d never have the time to finish them or even get the full experience.
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Post by Griffin »

Tweed wrote: March 29th, 2023, 03:17
Betrayal at Krondor
Dark Heart of Urkel
Darklands
Dungeon Master
Eye of the Beholder
Gothic 1, 2, and Archolos
Might and Magic Xeen, 6, and possibly 2, 3, 4, and 7
Quest for Glory 1, 2, and 4. 3 and 5 are a bit weak, but play them anyway.
Shadowrun on the Genesis which is a CRPG through and through and possibly the SNES game
Ultima IV and V, possibly VI
Wasteland, the original either in DOS or the C64.
Wizardry 1, 2, 3, and especially 4
I'd add Dungeon Master sequel Chaos Strikes Back to the list.
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Tweed
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Post by Tweed »

Rigwort wrote: March 29th, 2023, 19:04
The SNES game all time, huh? Mighty high praise. Also, why no Ultima VII?
I'm really interested how everyone is defining "essential". Like, essential as "in order to understand cRPGs you must play these games"? Or is it more of a, "You will know if you like cRPGs if you play these games"? Or is it "if you want to like cRPGs play these games"? I can't say I have anything to add, because I don't think I've played enough to really give my opinion.
SNES Shadowrun is an odd bird, it has a point and click style interface that makes it feel more like a hybrid of adventure and RPG, but the interface also makes combat janky. The game's story is well written and interesting. Both games follow CRPG design, you get standard XP, skill ups, etc, but the Genesis game is a lot closer to something you'd see on the PC. Also have a bit more traditional in selecting a class for your character while the SNES game eventually has you learning magic while having no penalty for installing cyberware. SNES follows a linear storyline, while the main storyline for the Genesis is "do it when you want or when you're high enough level" and you spend the rest of the time doing random runs for karma, cash, etc. You'll hire runners temporarily to help you do things like break into corporate buildings, hack cyberspace to disable cameras and locks in meatspace, and stuff like that.

Genesis cyberspace is a load of fun except for bullshit like tar paper I.C.E. nodes, but there's a romhack for that. SNES cyberspace is a joke even though its essential. Speaking of hacks, there's one for the Genesis game that puts it more in line with the P&P material, it even gets updates now and then. I say Genesis Shadow run is essential because it's still the best cyberpunk CRPG out there in a neglected genre that only tends to get shit releases. Deus Ex is considered cyberpunk as well, but it doesn't really have the same style.

Ultima VII trades combat in exchange for interactivity. Combat in Ultima VII comes down to "press 'c' and hope for the best" so it feels more like a detective game with bad real time combat bolted on to it.
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Post by WhiteShark »

@Tweed what is the recommended romhack for Genesis Shadowrun? I'm interested in trying it.
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Post by Tweed »

WhiteShark wrote: March 29th, 2023, 22:06
@Tweed what is the recommended romhack for Genesis Shadowrun? I'm interested in trying it.
2058 https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4116/

Still some issues with it, but I've played with it before and liked it. The other one is no more tar pits https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/2321/ I don't know if it would be compatible with 2058.
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Post by Gregz »

Tweed wrote: March 30th, 2023, 00:39
WhiteShark wrote: March 29th, 2023, 22:06
@Tweed what is the recommended romhack for Genesis Shadowrun? I'm interested in trying it.
2058 https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4116/

Still some issues with it, but I've played with it before and liked it. The other one is no more tar pits https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/2321/ I don't know if it would be compatible with 2058.
Do you recommend using the "more random enemies" patch?
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Post by Tweed »

Gregz wrote: March 30th, 2023, 00:58
Tweed wrote: March 30th, 2023, 00:39
WhiteShark wrote: March 29th, 2023, 22:06
@Tweed what is the recommended romhack for Genesis Shadowrun? I'm interested in trying it.
2058 https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4116/

Still some issues with it, but I've played with it before and liked it. The other one is no more tar pits https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/2321/ I don't know if it would be compatible with 2058.
Do you recommend using the "more random enemies" patch?
I've never tried it.
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Post by rusty_shackleford »

snes shadowrun >>>>>> genesis
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