GERKRT'S PROFILE

Complexity = Planning. Or a lot of more work and time to make it.
If you are using the default systems, other persons graphics, etc... RPG Maker can be pretty easy, and the planning can be reduced. But my project have his owns scripts, graphics, and systems. Also its originall, complex and depth.

Making a RPG is a titanical thing. Making a good one... lol. I can't waste two hours making something and then throw it because i changued something. If i had planned this, i only had to changue some text lines. Just compare.

If i have actually maked everything i have written and rewriten in my desing documents(200 pag or more) i needed like 5 years....
For example, now im making it with RPGXP. But time ago it was in 2k, then 2k3 for SMP and then back again to 2k. I don't used RGPXP because of the resolution(i like 16 bit feel) and that i didn't know ruby and programing very well. But now i can use XP at 100%, i make 16-bits feel graphics and i'm mastering RGSS.

I don't wasted any time in the old version. Just some testing maps, SMP short base and a intro. All was in my imagination and the design documents. Just think if i had started making it...

Also i don't think that planning ties you or something like this. You can improvitze, is the same... only that here you are writing your ideas, but this is equal to making the game, just changue the moment where you do the things.

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Well I don't know if this would help you but it helps me.

I have been working on my current game/project for several months and I haven't touched RPG Maker yet as I have been in word/notepad the whole time creating the story/items/monsters/stats you name. Then I went into MS Paint and started designing the characters/monsters/items/chipsets etc now all thats left to do is to piece it together on RM2k3

Try that out sometime and you wont have a folder full of half finished games but a folder full of word documents that even if you dont start the game you can use the ideas for later projects.

xDDDDDDDDDDDD. I do the same. Now i have write 600+ pag in diferent design documents, historys, etc... but only created a few things, now im making the engine for my main project with RGSS scripts...

I like all, its only a mater of tastes. My actual game have 100% diferentiated characters, but they have some range to evolve and become more specialized(2 class changues for each).


But some of my favorite games like FFVII or FFV were oposed...

They make the gameplay less linear, which is what you said you hated about FFX. I was pointing out that you were wrong to make that observation. The Sphere Grid is possibly the least linear character development system in any Final Fantasy game.

In FFV you have 20 jobs... less linear of what? In FFVII/VIII you can make any role, mages, defensives, etc.. linear, lol. Its the same. A game non-linear is like FFV, where a lot of jobs have equal options, or in a CRPG like TES...

Also, playing bad is playing bad.

At least you have the chance to screw up in FFX. Especially playing in expert mode where it is very easy to make the game much more difficult than it has to be by just making the wrong sphere-grid choices. This shows that your "casual balance" idea is silly; casual players can very easily screw their shit up. In FFVII the stats are set up so you cannot screw any character development up - you just need to put the grinding time in - so this again defeats your point.

I know people that in FFVII not havent more than 10 magic of every, or in FFVII they switched materia in every moment and get stuck. In FFVII and VIII with only level stats you dont do ANYTHING. Magic and habilitys are totally overpowered, and without it you wont win. They aren't perfect games, FFV is so better, but they have a lot of more penalitzation than X. In X you can fail every moment with the sphere grid, because you have eternal options later and a ridiculous challengue.

You can see all the character development in Diablo II as well - does that make Diablo II's character system linear? Of course not. Being able to see the grid allows you to plan ahead and develop your characters exactly how you want them to be developed - how is total development freedom linear..?

Think in this, looking at the entire table is like playing any other FF with a complete walktrough. Using the Diablo II example is not fair, because it may have other gameplay or expecctatives.
FFX has a lot of less penalitzation and depth than other games... is like the minimap, we have a game with no dungeons at all and the simpler exploration of the saga, ¡¡¡and they gave us a minimap????

Different enemies can't even be hit by some of the characters on your team. Knowing what you are doing when you come across a certain enemy type is where the depth in FFX's battle-system comes into play. You need to know who you have developed to be effective in doing x and play to your strengths. This might not be particularly important in your normal monster battles, but there are some tough boss fights in FFX and the Dark Aeons are definately nothing to laugh about. I had less trouble killing the Weapons in FFVII because LOLOLKOTR

This not make the game better, in my opinion it make totally linear and predictable. The enemy pattern for this is totally simple, then with 4 elements all the combats became the same. Boring. Also, in every game this exists, and you can pass the game without doing nothing of this.

Also, this is a just a other piece of filler for the casual...

The secret bosses are EXTRAS, im bored that people only can talk about that to defend FFX. In every other game are SECUNDARY. Im talking about the main quest, not a bad pokemon copy...

Also, ¿you played FFVII with walktrough?I dont know anybody that took the KOTR before fighting weapons a lot of times. Even in this moment, mime and KOTR are not a simple combination without help or experiencie.

I think FFX have 0 intensity, is only to kill and waste time. 200h of repetitive and mindless combat and mechanics arent for me a sign of good gameplay, it think is better the old style... Example: FFV ozma: direct, intense and FUN! You can destroy it in every replay, and improve your skill.

You can't make a casual rpg fun for skilled players, this is the reason that i dont have any modern rpg and i play only clasical games. Now im playing the original Phantasy Star for de SMS and Dragon Quest V.

The dificulty levels are a good choice, really. Also i think there are other reasons than dificulty that make a skilled player get boring.

For example, a casual rpg like FFX, its not only that the game has a poor challengue, is that it have totally linear, predictable and accesible gameplay.
You can't compare it to the Job or materia system depth, is true the game have interesing hability and equipment system, but overall is aimed for casual players: the "complexity" and flexibility is not there for skilled master it, its only purpose is to make the play-movie varied and spectacular.

If a skilled player want to play FFX like he played other FF, he will bored, totally unbalanced, simplified and cheap knwoledge curve. And without a clasical dungeon, every combat its only fillers to level up, no general objectives anymore.

To sum up, its not only about challengue, a lot of games include a difficulty selecetor but their gameplay is poor and boring. Playing FFX or FFXII with more challengue will not be fun either.

You have to aim to one or another player in gameplay terms. But i think that in indie scene, were casuals will not dowload your game, this is obvious.