What to get... What to get...

[Canderis]

Life has presented me with a hard choice. I have the opportunity to get 2 out of 3 games I want: Fallout 3, Mass Effect 2, and Dragon Age. I cannot decide. What do you guys think?

[Darth InSidious]

None of the above.

 

Get Planescape: Torment and Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines instead.

[Alkonium]

<snipped> It all depends on what sort of RPG you're looking for, because each one is completely different. However, I've never played Fallout 3, so I'd have to recommend Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2.

[Darth Avlectus]

You're talking to a guy who is broke for the foreseeable future b/c I recently had a $300 splurge on electronic components and stuff at Fry's Electronics WHILE on vacation costing even more $$$.

 

On subject: Personally, Only get one. That way your lust for the other games carries you in case the actual game ends up not being all you had hoped. And time between games new to you makes them seem better than they might actually be when you finally do play them. (There is always trade in credit too! )

 

While I have seen Dragon Age (hilarious), I'd personally go with M.E.2 'cos it's brand new and Fallout 3 'cos it is well established.

 

DA is in an over-under phase right now. Though that is a tough call b/c the familiar feel of BioWare/Kotor is in Dragon Age.

 

Fallout 3 got "game of the year" award for 2K9--I'm throwing it out there b/c I have had this one recommended to me by numerous friends. All the expansions and new stuff. Plus it's nice to get a variety of brand labels, no? Otherwise, Resident Evil 5, or Bayonetta...or God of War 3 (*loved* the first two GoW's). It's hit the bargain bin so you get more for less.

 

Mass Effect 2 also has BioWare's signature "feel" but is hot off the press whereas Dragon Age is a few months old now and has an expansion. Either get M.E.2 new right now or wait a while.

 

I'd wait on DA to later include stuff in a bonus package to get the best deal possible.

[igyman]

I'd say Dragon Age is more worth your money than ME2 - it's longer, has a better story and better replay value. Haven't played Fallout 3, so I can't really comment on that one, except that I haven't heard anything bad about it so far.

[Dread Advocate]

i havent played Dragon Age or Mass Effect 2 yet (but from what i hear, theyre both amazing), though i do plan to sometime in the future, but Fallout 3 is a fairly good game. the DLC is awesome. but the game can be rather difficult if you have no idea what youre doing, especially since ammo and health are rare, as is money needed to repair weapons which are 95% of the time in bad condition. and the main quest seems rather dull (to me at least), but does take Revelation 21:9 literally, which i find interesting. VATS is the best part of Fallout 3 gameplay.

[True_Avery]

First, buy a copy of Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines. I believe it is being sold on Steam.

 

Then, after you are finished with that, Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age of the 3 you listed. I would never, in good conscience, recommend Fallout 3. That game is simply horrid, and it is still horrid after its patches and DLC.

 

ME2 and DA need time to age, however. DLC is being pumped out for both like crazy, so wait a year or so before touching them. Take this time to play some aged RPGs like Vampire. Its my personal favorite and has the gold stamp of a lot of veterans here.

[Astrotoy7]

Ive played Vamp a couple of years ago - sure it was fun but I personally don't subscribe to the FF7 type worship it garners. I also am really starting to hate anything to do with freakin vampires so wouldn't go near bloodlines for a good while, or until Stephanie Meyer stops writing perhaps

 

I haven't played Fallout or DAO yet, though I will be starting the latter very soon!

 

I'd make my recommendation more on what you feel like from a story perspective. eg. After NWN2 I was done with wizards and elves... I needed a break and played ACreed1, Devil May Cry 4 and FIFA soccer for months before ME2 and ACreed2 came out After all that, now I'm ready to do the fantasy universe again. but only after playing the upcoming ME2 DLC.

 

So if you feel like some frolicking in a fantasy universe - go for DAO, if you want some space based fun - ME2 is pretty awesome. If you take your time playing, travel to every system and scan every planet - it can take almost 40 hours. That way you will get those 'hidden missions' you can only get by scanning a planet, and also beef up your resources to improve your chances in the final battle. Of course, scanning planets isn't that exciting, though I did find it mildly calming. You can just limit yourself to throughly scanning/mining the ones marked rich or moderate, and otherwise just do a quick scan to see if there is an anomaly(extra mission) on that planet. That would save quite a lot of time! I now have a bunch of resources I cant do much with because the game doesn't allow you to sell them

 

mtfbwya

[Revan 411]

Ugh, Fallout 3 was horrible. Very boring game, couldn't finish it due to its repetitive and broken game-play. Not to mention the fact that its main story was completely dull and predictable. The only good two aspects of it is the fact that Liam Neeson is in it, (though his character does disappear for about 95% of the game) and that its a better game then Oblivion. (That's not really saying much though as Oblivion currently ranks a 3/10 in my books.)

 

I personally would recommend both Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age: Origins. The latter of which kept me busy for about three months straight. Its one of the few games in which I explored every area, did every side-quest, influenced every companion and invested over 200 hours in. Its simply that immersive. Sure its cliched, but then again, Neverwinter Nights, Balder Gates and the Elder Scroll franchise were cliched themselves, were they not? Besides; there's nothing wrong with a cliche itself. Its how and what style a writer uses a specific cliche.

 

Also, I never actually played Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines so I can't really say much about that.

[Canderis]

and that its a better game then Oblivion. (That's not really saying much though as Oblivion currently ranks a 3/10 in my books.)

 

Oblivion is the best game ever (besides kotor) in my book...

[Jeff]

I probably like Fallout 3 best of those 3, though they all are pretty close. The longer it's been since I've played Mass Effect 2 the less I like the game. At first I loved it and thought it was a million times better than the original Mass Effect, but the more I thought about it the more I changed what I thought "better" was. The game is hardly an RPG. It's a great game on it's own right, but not as a sequel to Mass Effect, or at least it's not the sequel I was hoping for.

 

Dragon Age was my favorite game of last year, you need a pretty good rig to run it though. Technical issues got very frustrating for me.

 

I loved Fallout 3, it is completely open world and probably the best implementation of that I have seen. The game has loads of content (the GOTY edition come with all the DLC packs which I have not even finished yet) and it is just something different from the typical fantasy or sci-fi settings. And while a ton of people were upset with the way the game ended I actually enjoyed the story, it wasn't the usual save the world. (Dunno what Avery is talking about it being terrible, game is ****ing excellent).

 

So I voted Fallout 3 and I'd recommend Dragon Age next, though I hope you can play all 3 eventually.

[Canderis]

I will have all 3 by the end of the year, just what ones to get first.

[True_Avery]

(Dunno what Avery is talking about it being terrible, game is ****ing excellent)

Never played a more buggy, broken game in my life except maybe launch Oblivion. The fondest memories I hold for that game is the many screen caps and stories me and my two friends have of our unique journey's into broken.

[Mav]

I voted Fallout 3, I would dare cross Sentinel Lyons, or Ranger Riley

[jrrtoken]

Arcanum, Arcanum, Arcanum... oh, and Deus Ex.

 

Besides the other aforementioned titles, those two games evoke and epitomize their respective wavelengths within the RPG spectrum, to the extent where they crush the futile attempts of role-playing in all of their progeny. Play them, prole.

[Revan 411]

oh, and Deus Ex.

QUOTE FOR THE WIN!

 

Seriously though, that has got to be the best game ever made. I don't think no game out there can really match Deus Ex in terms of story-telling, character evolution and development.

[Quanon]

Well a lot the vets on this board do point out other great games. I'll go and say what I like best of what you have as choices.

 

First Fallout 3=> Nice differant setting, though you got to love exploration. If you don't like trekking across a vast landscape, slaugthering critters on the way; well then Fallout 3 aint your game.

 

Mind that about 3 or 4 DLCs have been released, plus there's a nice big modding community out there, that just like for Kotor and TSL offer a lot of MODS, which really improve the game.

 

I enjoyed Fallout 3 because of the non fantasy setting, plus the rich amount of mods to pick from. Mind, Bethesda don't do great stories, so far I think Fallout 3 is there best so far. And it's not really that amazing.

 

Plus you're always on your own, no party. And if you do get a person to follow you, its quiet annoying.

 

If you like more story and talk with party members then Dragon Age or Mass Effect 2 are a good pick. The big differance is that ME 2 is very action like and the RPG... is a bit forgotten. There are a lot of dialogues to be had, but leveling up your character, tweaking your gear is really not like an RPG. To simplified IMO.

 

Ofcourse its a great Sci-Fi setting and the action is great. Truelly enjoyed this game.

All what Bioware needs, is new blood to design how a story unfolds.

 

Dragon Age, is more closely to an old school RPG, you have to plan your actions, do some thinking on how the level up your party. Everything has to work together, to beat the heavier enemies.

 

But its a very classic fantasy setting, which has been done to death. For me, DA got boring a bit at the end. There's really nothing NEW to see. Mind the cliché thing is the bain of Bioware at the moment.

 

But there games are polished and finished and always offer a decent quality when released. Plus Dragon Age, has a starting modding community, expect a lot of nice things on the road, to improve the game to your taste.

 

This is something Mass Effect is missing.

 

Its all really to what you like in a game; just giving my view.

Plus whenever you can do get Vamp: Bloodlines. Its a very cool sleek RPG! One of the most fun things I ever played.

[mimartin]

Not really sure I could decide on these three, I’ve played them all extensively and really enjoyed them all. To demonstrate how much I enjoyed them I owned them all on the 360 and the PC (had to make up to the manufactures for DI not purchasing them).

 

Fallout 3 is Oblivion with guns. It does have a few bugs, but there is definitely a mod to fix whatever you find wrong with the game.

 

Dragon Age is a fun game that I’m still enjoying on like my 5th or 6th playthroughs.

 

I’ve enjoyed ME 2 even more than ME1, I guess I would recommend it over the other two, but only because I fear being drummed out of the Mass Effect fan club.

 

However, take my recommendation with a grain of salt, as Darth InSidious says I have no taste in games.

[Astrotoy7]

However, take my recommendation with a grain of salt, as Darth InSidious says I have no taste in games.

 

no extra sodium required, your recommendations are valued more than you think mimartin

 

BioWare indicated they toned down the 'True RPG' in Mass Effect in response to the majority of feedback received(likely from console gamers)

 

You're always going to have a set of folks that want it as complicated and detailed as a PnP RPG, but a lot of people really do not want that(myself included). The RPG vs action game balance is ME2 was done pretty well. My only gripe is the lack of girl on girl romance options

 

Out of the titles listed in the poll, DAO seems to be the closest approximating a traditional wRPG.

 

mtfbwya

[jonathan7]

BioWare indicated they toned down the 'True RPG' in Mass Effect in response to the majority of feedback received(likely from console gamers

 

Out of the titles listed in the poll, DAO seems to be the closest approximating a traditional wRPG.

 

I agree with this, I don't think we've really had any "mainstream" proper RPG's released for several years Mass Effect, Oblivion, etc all are almost cross-over games, which encompass several different game types; and they have RPG elements, though for me person, Oblivion for me especially is weakened by very little charachter development, that's not to say I didn't enjoy it originally....

[Jeff]

I think Dragon Age is as hardcore western RPG as you can get, very old school. And Fallout 3 is definitely much more of an RPG than Mass Effect 2.

[ChAiNz.2da]

Fallout 3 or Mass Effect 2.

 

I plan on going back to FO3 after my 'Insanity' run on ME2 (gawdz what a pain .. hehe). I've got a bad karma play through I'm about 1/3 through. Want to get that finished before Fallout: New Vegas arrives on the scene.

 

Since you (like me) seem to be a fan of Oblivion, then I'd have to give a nod to Fallout 3. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[swphreak]

ME2 and DA:O. I have yet to replay and finish Fallout 3 since I bought it. Don't know if that'll tell you anything.

 

Dragon Age is definitely worth your money, and I prefer Mass Effect over Fallout.

[Sabretooth]

None of the above.

 

Get Planescape: Torment and Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines instead.

 

First, buy a copy of Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines. I believe it is being sold on Steam.

 

Arcanum, Arcanum, Arcanum... oh, and Deus Ex.

 

Besides the other aforementioned titles, those two games evoke and epitomize their respective wavelengths within the RPG spectrum, to the extent where they crush the futile attempts of role-playing in all of their progeny. Play them, prole.

 

Seriously though, that has got to be the best game ever made. I don't think no game out there can really match Deus Ex in terms of story-telling, character evolution and development.

 

While I would only suggest Revan 411 to play Planescape: Torment before being so quick as to judge Deus Ex supreme on story-telling, character evolution and development, I agree with his strong recommendation of Deus Ex, which is of course, the greatest game in the world. Ever. In like, fifteen eons and nine million rebirths. Trust me, I'm Hindu.

 

Since you have only listed the new and flashy games, I'm guessing you aren't so interested in this wrinkled old games and only want the new and rated 90+ by reviewers assorted. In this case, I cannot help you, nor can the above-quoted people who are all certified RPG-recommendation experts, certified by the Neue Deutsche Rolleplainggerecommendate Schule.

[mimartin]

Since you (like me) seem to be a fan of Oblivion, then I'd have to give a nod to Fallout 3. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Don't listen to ChAiNZ, he is just trying to keep Tali' all to himself.