You're gonna think I'm an idiot for asking this but...

[The Seeker]

How is an RPG like Knights of the Old Republic played?

 

what I mean is all I have ever played is FPS where you have direct control over the character the entire game.

 

So, on average, what is the workings of an RPG? How is the combat system developed? Do you have direct control over a given character? Ya know, just all the details about average RPGs that are so simple you people think that even an idiot should know. I don't even know how to control it, so any help would be great, since KotOR looks awesome.

 

Thanks

[Rogue15]

heh, go dload a snes emulator and some rpg roms and find out for yourself. j/k

 

i just recently got into rpg games, like Final Fantasy VII. you basically have a party of characters, and when you get into fights, they each take a turn, then the enemy takes a turn, and they all have so many hit points and magic points to use. and at the end of the fight, they 'level up' meaning they each get a bit stronger.

 

that's just a bit of the surface of it, dload diablo 2 or some other rpg demo, that way you'll understand a little better.

[[KOC]Qui-Zan]

What Jedi Said is right but don't always control a 'party' or group of ppl, sometimes just 1.

 

Basicly you ARE that (or those) characters and play out the story as them.In some RPG's like morrowwind (SP?) let u create your own.

 

The key thing to remember is that RPG means ---

Role Playing Game

 

Need i say more?

 

P.S:FF8 is better

[Tyrion]

Originally posted by Rogue15

heh, go dload a snes emulator and some rpg roms and find out for yourself. j/k

 

i just recently got into rpg games, like Final Fantasy VII. you basically have a party of characters, and when you get into fights, they each take a turn, then the enemy takes a turn, and they all have so many hit points and magic points to use. and at the end of the fight, they 'level up' meaning they each get a bit stronger.

 

And you get items, materia, which either helps other materia, makes magic, or can boost your stats.

 

And,you get some pretty sweet vehicles....

[Darklighter]

Originally posted by [KOC]Qui-Zan

P.S:FF8 is better

 

Never a truer word spoken;)lol

 

If you want to see an example of an amazing RPG, pick any one of the Final Fantasy series, they are all excellent.

 

The main difference between adventure games and RPGs is that RPGs have a main focus on statistics, like Magic Points, Hit Points etc. RPGs are games that have strong character development: throughout the game, you will learn more about your characters, their background story, which elements/weapons they work best with, and they will grow stronger (EXP points). This character evolution is one of the main things I love about the FF games:)

[PhantomHelix]

ive nevr played the FF games (yeah, i kno, weird, but they look awesome). how are they playeD? r they point and click?

[XERXES]

Seiken Densetst 3 = best squaresoft RPG EVER!

[Mandalorian54]

I don't really like RPG's myself, cept for Final Fantasy Tactics, Morrowind, and a couple more.

 

Most RPG's involve fighting battles out of thin air and taking turns attacking, which I find retarted, but thats just my oppinion.

 

Final Fantasy Tactics and Morrowind are some of the few exeptions. They are Role Playing games because characters have statistics but they don't nescessarily involve fighting battles from thin air and taking turns attacking.

 

Morrowind is an interesting game see, you see from a first person view and attack and move at will with the click of a button.

 

But Final Fantasy Tactics has a map with a picture of you on it, you click on the town you want to go and your person automatically moves. You do fight battles out of thin air though but not like most RPG's, you take turns also but again not like most RPG's.

[Darth Simpson]

Most western RPGs don't involve random fights and turnbased attacks. KOTOR is a western RPG, and is pretty different from traditional Japanese RPGs, like Final Fantasy.

 

Western RPGs are generally controlled from a birds-eye view, with the mouse issuing most commands, such as walk here, pick up that, attack this, etc.

 

You control either a group or a single character, and you have full control over all of them.

 

There are different character classes which perform different duties and are better suited to specific tasks. In Neverwinter Nights there are Fighters, Rangers, Sorcerors etc. KOTOR will have Jedi, Scout, Scoundrel, Bounty Hunter and Soldier.

 

All the characters have different statistics, like Strength, Dexterity, Vitality, Charisma, etc. The higher the stats, the better your character is at a particular action. For example, a Fighter should have high Strength, so his damage will increase and he'll be able to use heavier weapons. Sorcerors should have high magic capabilities so they can cast lots of spells. By killing monsters and completing quests you are given experience points, and these points are used to advance you to the next level, meaning your character will get more powerful, both in terms of life and mana ( magic points used to cast spells ). Leveling up gives you points you can spread across your statistics, and advance your skills.

 

Games like Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights are based on rules from the pen and paper RPG Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, and involves rolling a dice to see how successful you are in your actions ( Attacking, blocking, lockpicking, etc ). Your statistics come into play when doing this of course. Other RPGs may use different 'rule sets' as they are called, but the basics are the same.

 

RPGs also tend to focus heavily on story, so be prepared to sit through a lot of dialogue and reading.

 

If you're looking to get some experience with RPGs, there's the Baldur's Gate series ( should be cheap now ), Icewind Dale series ( #1 is cheap, #2 is probably still at full price. They're a bit more action packed than Baldur's Gate ), and Neverwinter Nights, which is the latest game from Bioware. All of these games may seem a little intimidating at first, but trust me, they're worth it.

 

There's also Diablo 2, which is less 'hardcore' than the games from Bioware, and much more actionpacked. Might be a good place to start.

 

Morrowind is a huge game, where you can do anything you want, and become anything you like. It's probably a bit intimidating if you're totally new to the genre, and it has sky-high system requirements.

 

I think I covered most of the basics here, but if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

[Mandalorian54]

My brother just bought bolders gate for 8 bucks at cash converters.

 

you probably don't know what that is, it's in Canada.

[The Seeker]

Hey thanks for the info simpson and the rest of you. That's exactly what I needed to know. But I have one more question do you directly control the characters one at a time, or do you basically issue orders to them and they perform to the best of their abilities. And you saying that it is heavy with dialog and stuff brings up another question. Are there usually mid-level saves like in FPS games, or do you play through till the end of the level.

 

Thanks

[StormHammer]

IN my experience, you can save most anywhere in RPG's. The only exception I've seen is in Anachronox, where you have to find a funny little alien on each level and 'use' it in order to save.

 

As stated above, RPG's can come in all flavours and styles. If you prefer the 3rd person view, nearly all of them have been either isometric 3D or top-down style view...not my favourite, it must be said, but very popular. I'm trying out Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale and Planescape Torment. I have to say, I prefer the latter one, for some reason.

 

I don't mind Neverwinter Nights so much, because you can zoom in closer to the action - in a similar way to Dungeon Siege, which is more of a monster-bashing fest, but enjoyable and addictive nonetheless.

 

Knights Of The Old Republic should allow similar control to Neverwinter Nights (judging by the perspectives in the screenshots), I would imagine, which is good.

 

Anachronox also keeps you close to the action, as goes Gothic.

 

If you really prefer the first-person viewpoint, however, you might be disappointed with Knights.

 

There are some really good 1st person view RPG games out there, though...

 

Morrowind is definitely a huge game, and I've hardly had a chance to start it yet - considering all the other games I've been getting recently.

 

Deus Ex...an RPG/FPS hybrid that is truly excellent.

 

System Shock 2 - another SF-flavoured RPG with lots of atmosphere.

 

Arx Fatalis promises good gameplay too...but I've had issues with the demo since I got my Radeon 9700 graphics card. I hope they iron those out prior to release.

 

Heh...thinking about all these games reminds me of the first CRPG I ever played...Eye Of The Beholder. And it's sequels. Good games (except for the 3rd instalment), and probably ideal for an RPG beginner. They at least get you used to inventory management, character stats, 'levelling up', etc., while being very easy to play.

 

Just some thoughts.

[PhantomHelix]

does any1 know of any good RPG's i should get? im thinkin of startin to play RPG's but i dnt kno any good 1's.....

[Darth Simpson]

Well, there's a lot of suggestions in this thread already.

 

You don't control characters directly with the arrow keys, it's more of a point and click, and your characters will go to where you clicked.

 

When you say 'lockpick that door', the character will walk to the door and do it himself. You don't get to lockpick it.

 

And yes, you can save pretty much anywhere you want.

[Mandalorian54]

anyone who's anyone has got ta get FINAL FANTASY TACTICS man it's the bomb.

 

It's the only final fantasy I like. Cept for the one on NES.

[TiE23]

Darn I want marrowind!!

but not exactly for the fighting, but for the jobs, and living, collecting items, makin potions/ spells, going into castes, makin $moola$ and the graphics, simulation, reality!!! every nook and crany, buyin stuff! sounds like heaven!!!!

[Mandalorian54]

Hey there smoking chewbacca, do ya know about the Morrowind website?

 

http://www.morrowind.com

 

 

that simple.

 

enjoy:p

[JandoFett1842]

Originally posted by JediKnight_114

Your going to think im an idiot . . .

Thanks

 

YOUR AN IDIOT!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jk

you left your self wide open, and rpg are hard 2 learn how 2 play and understand at first, but listen 2 waht these people posteed, most are correct

[Darth Simpson]

No, you're the idiot.

 

[Count Dooku 2]

Stick with First-Person Shooters: much easier to get to grips with, plus the mindless "KILL KILL KILL!" factor in thigs like 'Doom' is quite entertaining.

 

Oh my God... 'Doom' is so old! I'd quite forgotten about that game...