WHY DOES DYING HAVE TO SUCK?

post=137821
So I realized that Dragon Age and FFXIII have the same "full heal after battle" system, and it works really well because stuff is difficult but not "oh I didn't have enough MP." You expected to go ALL-OUT in every Dragon Age battle (and you'll probably die if you're not at least decent with your positioning/tactics).

This is why I spent an hour and a half continuously getting better and better at defeating the mage tower boss until I actually won. Note that boss battles are typically 3-5 minute skirmishes, and that (much like normal battles), positioning is everything.

I enjoy dying in Dragon Age (which I do a lot) because I want to get right back up and try again. Being able to save anywhere while not in combat helps, too. In almost any other RPG (except maybe Mass Effect 2 - oh hey Bioware) I stop playing for a day or two after I die. I just don't really care - but in Dragon Age I know it's entirely possible to win. Yes, it's due to level scaling and the next comment, I guess, but... it's fun as Hell!

Dragon Age's encounters are also hand-crafted (as in every single enemy encounter is placed in a specific spot and can only be encountered once ever, even "random" world map encounters I am 99% sure), which makes it even better due to traps/hazards/terrain/split attention/etc.

I felt the opposite way about dying in Dragon Age and after a few game overs I didn't want to play any more.

post=138060
I like RPGs, the problem is that I actually despise them. They are all the same. You could say this is a problem for other genres, too, but I'm talking about the GOOD games here. Good FPS games have some sort of well-implemented mechanic that separates the game from others, right? Good RPGs need to start being fun.

I think all genre specific games are the same. You probably notice it in RPGs more because you play more RPGs and the ratio of the rpg games to other genre games you play is probably 3:1. So naturally you're going to notice it more.

FPS games are wayyyy more samey than RPGs. yes, even good ones!

But yeah, I totally agree with the need for more interaction in battles rather than a message box popping up where you input commands. As much as tri-ace gets shit for having completely horrendous storylines and characters, Star Ocean and Resonance of Fate are good examples of not doing the same things jrpgs do all the time (in terms of battles).

post=138065

post=138060
I like RPGs, the problem is that I actually despise them. They are all the same. You could say this is a problem for other genres, too, but I'm talking about the GOOD games here. Good FPS games have some sort of well-implemented mechanic that separates the game from others, right? Good RPGs need to start being fun.

I think all genre specific games are the same. You probably notice it in RPGs more because you play more RPGs and the ratio of the rpg games to other genre games you play is probably 3:1. So naturally you're going to notice it more.

FPS games are wayyyy more samey than RPGs. yes, even good ones!

ding ding ding

As for me, I have no problem with turn based on a fundamental level. Sometimes being able to 'relax' and choose my actions at my leisure in a strategy centric style of play (turn based) can sometimes even be more desirable than free action battles. It's all in the execution. I don't think one is fundamentally better than the other.

It's basically something I noticed a long time ago. Most people who 'notice' that a genre is repetive and getting boring is usually because said genre is all they play and they played it a lot. Hell, I felt that way about RPGs a while back until I started diversifying with FPS, fighting games (my first love), and other genres, (and generally just getting out of the chair and enjoying life, which is probably the best way to enjoy video games as it is). Now, I generally love all of my games and enjoy coming back for multiple playthroughs if I have the opportunity.

Most people I've noticed who complain about RPGs being competitive, mostly play RPGs, all of the time, 100% of the time. No shit it's repetitive, it's all you do! Tried and true methods are usually tried and true because they work, not because of repetitiveness (although it CAN and DOES happen). Innovation is great and welcomed, but then there runs the risk of overdoing it and getting shit that I totally didn't ask for, like FFXIII.

Maybe it's a matter of fitting into the demographic? Of course the issue of personal taste always applies as well.