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| Thread: Computer RPG Completion Strategies | |
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Khayman
Promising
Famous Hero
Underachiever
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posted January 11, 2005 03:58 PM |
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Computer RPG Completion Strategies
After years of frustration and the inability to actually complete a Computer RPG, I have decided to turn to my fellow HC Members for some much needed advice.
As far as my history and experience, I have played and enjoyed numerous Computer RPGs, starting all the way back with games like The Temple of Apshai for the Atari 800 and The Bard's Tale for the Commodore 64. After a hiatus of several years, my appetite for Computer RPGs resurfaced with the Might and Magic series (specifically, Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven). I have always come so close to completing the games, but something always pulls me away for a while and I stop playing. Then once I resume, I have to re-familiarize myself with the gameplay, locations, items, quests, etc. I usually end up choosing to start the game over from the beginning, with new characters, etc.
Most recently (over the past few years), I have been trying my hand at Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights. I enjoy them both immensely; however, I have re-encountered the same situation of making a lot of headway with the inability to finish the game. That's why I need your help and advice.
My philosophy and approach to the games are simple: Take a lot of care and caution in the beginning of the game, build up very strong low-level characters in the early stages, and then hope that I have what I need to make easy progress in the later stages. This usually works very well, but I often tend to play the Fighter classes, since they are the easiest for me to control, understand, etc. However, I learned early that Magic-Users and Clerics are almost a necessity in the games, since many of their spells are almost required to make life simple on you (i.e. Fly, Town Portal, Resurrection). Thieves also come in handy, especially with the current games reliance on stealth, opening locks, picking pockets, etc.
I am wondering perhaps if I am too much of a perfectionist when it comes to Computer RPGs. I constantly save, load, re-load in order to ensure that my character(s) have what they need in order to survive and make life easier on them down the road. This is all fine and well, but quite time consuming, which sometimes causes the game to lose a little bit of its flavor. Then again, maybe this extra time and care in character development is the reason I never complete the game itself, since too much of my time is focused on building the perfect party or completing a majority of the quests rather than focusing on the end-game.
Also, I used to keep rather detailed journals when I played. Of course, as the game progressed, I would get lazy and the notes would form less often, but I always found this useful. Now, with the Auto Journal in some games, life is grand, but I still find myself wanting to jot down extraneous info, etc. Sometimes an enjoyable game actually begins to feel like hard work.
So I guess my questions are the following:
What advice can you give me on being able to complete a Computer RPG?
Should I play a careless and hasty 'Once-Thru' first, just to get a feel of the game, and then go back and play a more thorough game?
Should I play non-Fighter classes more? Will this increase my chances of survival at higher levels?
Should I get rid of the 'perfectionist' or 'zero defect' mentality, and if something bad or negative happens to my character(s), just play on and not re-load?
Should I just stick to Heroes of Might and Magic and forget about RPGs? 
Basically, what are your strategies for completing a Computer RPG?
I would appreciate any of your advice or insight on this matter. If a game is very good and provides me enjoyment, I begin to think that perhaps I may not even need to finish it. I rationalize this by believing it served its purpose. However, it would be nice to receive some type of 'closure' or 'personal satisfaction' every so often from playing a Computer RPG from start to finish. Thanks in advance, Heroes!
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"You must gather your party before venturing forth."
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Lord_Woock
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Daddy Cool with a $90 smile
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posted January 11, 2005 04:03 PM |
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Don't ask me, the only cRPG I ever finished was Fallout
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Yolk and God bless.
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My buddy's doing a webcomic and would certainly appreciate it if you checked it out!
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IYY
Responsible
Supreme Hero
REDACTED
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posted January 11, 2005 04:55 PM |
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Um... A good tip for many an RPG is to play the classes that start out weaker. They usually end up being the strongest.
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Consis
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Of Ruby
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posted January 12, 2005 05:29 AM |
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Edited By: Consis on 12 Jan 2005
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Khayman,
Quote:
Most recently (over the past few years), I have been trying my hand at Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights.
There's the main problem right here. I find it highly unlikely for you to stay interested in more than one rpg. My advice is to focus on either Baldur's Gate or Neverwinter Nights, but not both. Try to remember that an rpg is like reading a book of fiction. How many different books can you succesfully read without finally deciding to stay with one to the end?
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My philosophy and approach to the games are simple: Take a lot of care and caution in the beginning of the game, build up very strong low-level characters in the early stages, and then hope that I have what I need to make easy progress in the later stages. This usually works very well, but I often tend to play the Fighter classes, since they are the easiest for me to control, understand, etc.
Excellent point you've touched on here. A fighter class is cut and dry. You the player are usually left with imagining the fantastic sword-fights with your main souped character. The problem with playing multiple fighters is that you might find it difficult to stay attached to more than one sword-wielding master. It is my opinion that all people have their own personal favorite sword-fighter and they basically worship this figure. By playing more than one fighter-class you risk losing your personal attraction to your first choice. Your first choice is usually based on your favorite characteristics in a character. And rightly so, this hero quickly becomes immortalized in your imagination. To change characters and start over is very nearly related to changing loyalties and thus losing confidence in your once immortalized hero from your own imagination.
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However, I learned early that Magic-Users and Clerics are almost a necessity in the games, since many of their spells are almost required to make life simple on you (i.e. Fly, Town Portal, Resurrection).
It's obvious you aren't a fan of such classes. Don't let the game force you into playing characters you aren't interested in. This will only serve to stretch your already limited patience in these uninteresting characters for you. I suggest you try taking your own special character and use any means necessary to get them through the quests. This will be much more rewarding for you personally as you find your personal favorite is truly as great as you imagined him/her to be. This will raise the character's popularity in your own mind and thus bolster your self confidence by reminding you that it was you who created such beauty and skill.
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I am wondering perhaps if I am too much of a perfectionist when it comes to Computer RPGs. I constantly save, load, re-load in order to ensure that my character(s) have what they need in order to survive and make life easier on them down the road.
This is a good way to initially play the game. You can learn all the details; every nook and cranny; every slight nuance. But don't confine yourself with such rigidity. Learn to build and become loyal to your own personal favorite. Make him/her every bit as heroic, flawed, natural, beautiful, skilled, and legendary as you could possibly imagine. I think you'll find this a much more rewarding venture.
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Then again, maybe this extra time and care in character development is the reason I never complete the game itself, since too much of my time is focused on building the perfect party or completing a majority of the quests rather than focusing on the end-game.
It isn't the end-game that matters. It is the path you walked, side-by-side the hero you created. Did your hero save the day? Or was he/she drawn into a treacherous love affair, government plot, or fleeting love story that ended in a tragic yet romantic loss? How was the adventure? Did you imagine the slight mannerisms and nuances of your character's body and facial expressions? Was it worth the trip?
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Also, I used to keep rather detailed journals when I played. Of course, as the game progressed, I would get lazy and the notes would form less often, but I always found this useful. Now, with the Auto Journal in some games, life is grand, but I still find myself wanting to jot down extraneous info, etc. Sometimes an enjoyable game actually begins to feel like hard work.
As do mine as well. I found it best to keep a small notepad of paper for scribbling notes. That's really all it need be. Anything more does as you say, 'makes it feel like work'. If your handwriting is sloppy then so be it. Who will see it? Nobody cares. You can easily discard the useless notes when you've finished your game. What matters is that you had fun on your adventure.
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What advice can you give me on being able to complete a Computer RPG?
See above.
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Should I play a careless and hasty 'Once-Thru' first, just to get a feel of the game, and then go back and play a more thorough game?
I advise the opposite
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Should I play non-Fighter classes more? Will this increase my chances of survival at higher levels?
Absolutely not. You obviously enjoy it the most. Never give up hope in your own character. Remember that you made it, created each ability/skill/appearance, and poured your heart into its potential.
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Should I get rid of the 'perfectionist' or 'zero defect' mentality, and if something bad or negative happens to my character(s), just play on and not re-load?
Do this only the first run-through to be able to take advantage with your main personal fav after learning all the tricks the game throws at you. Then take your best and most favorite hero through with courage, heart, and determination. It will be a quest you will never forget.
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Should I just stick to Heroes of Might and Magic and forget about RPGs?
There's room for both in the span of a human being's life; 80-90 yrs average right?
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Roses Are Red And So Am I
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Khayman
Promising
Famous Hero
Underachiever
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posted January 14, 2005 03:07 AM |
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Ask and you shall receive!
Thanks a lot, Consis! I appreciate the time and effort you put into responding. Also, I really admire your outlook on playing RPGs. Lack of time and focus on my part usually results in frustration, but I agree that the attitude with which one approaches the game will affect its enjoyability. Sometimes I really do forget that the objective is supposed to be fun. 
I liked your advice about sticking to one game rather than jumping back and forth. However, that brought another question to mind. After I complete NWN once or twice, I am contemplating whether I should jump back to Baldur's Gate and finish that, or move forward to NWN Shadows of Undrentide. What do you think?
Thanks again!
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"You must gather your party before venturing forth."
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Consis
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Of Ruby
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posted January 14, 2005 03:42 AM |
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Edited By: Consis on 13 Jan 2005
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I've Played Both
They're all great games. Neverwinter Nights is cool and more technologically advanced than Baldur's Gate.
Neverwinter Nights = different story + different characters(technology aside)
The NWN pitch is a much greater engine and all around game play but you have to ask yourself why Baldur's Gate fans are so loyal. If you compare the two games NWN has won more awards in every single category.
As a Baldur's Gate fan myself, I can only describe my loyalty as a personal connection. I absolutely love NWN. It's a great game. It's the best AD&D game on the market currently. But NWN doesn't connect to a person the way Baldur's Gate does. Baldur's Gate is more of a fairy tale while NWN is more for people who like extra realism in their AD&D rpg's. Does one replace the other; absolutely not. Both are great for what they do. The problem is you'd literally have to (quit your job/lose the wife and kids) to play both. That's not realistic. I suggest enjoying the latest while it's the latest. Play NWN until you're good and bored with it. Then try your hand at Baldur's Gate. You don't have to worry about losing your affection for NWN when playing Baldur's Gate because the two simply aren't the same. Both are enjoyable but Baldur's Gate requires a great deal more patience because of its bugged-to-hell infinity engine. I suggest not playing until you've enjoyed the others. If you play it first you might waste time reloading and all that simply because the screen froze. And let me tell yah...when the BG screen freezes....your whole comp freezes....then reach over and hit the proverbial "big red button"---->kaboom!. LoL, best to enjoy NWN first I say.
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Roses Are RedAnd So Am I
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