So... I only recently got a video card that enables my computer to play graphical splendor on the level of Fear and Oblivion. I've been playing Oblivion recently, and there's a lot to like: the graphics are gorgeous, of course, the physics are under-utilized but kind of neat, and its interesting watching the NPCs interact with one another and go about their lives (possibly the most genuinely innovative aspect of the game.)
But for a game and series whose designers have always hyped the degree of freedom and choice allowed, so much of it seems awfully linear.
Some mild spoilers: <SPOILER> One mission involves the purchase of a house that proves to be haunted. You discover one of the prior owners was a necromancer who chained spirits to the house to guard it as he stole their life essence to prolong his own life, and the Mage's Guild stormed the place and killed him. When you discover the secret chamber that houses his skeletal form, you hear an (evil, echo-y) whisper that he doesn't blame the Mage's guild for destroying him, he was out of control, he wants to repent, and could you please re-unite his severed hand with the rest of his skeleton so he can end the haunting and depart in peace?
Just to add insult to injury, your journal adds a plucky "Oh, I guess I should bring Mr. Evil Necromancer his hand back to end the curse" entry. Excuse me, Hero Avatar, did your mom have any children who lived?...
As far as I can tell, the people who killed the Necromancer in the first place are still at the local Mages guild. Can you tell them about this? Maybe ask, "So, is there any way to exorcise the place? Maybe I should just burn this skeletal hand I've been carrying around with me? Watcha think?..." No. Not even an option.
You want to fulfil the quest, you bring Chuckles his hand and get to hear him scoff about how gullible mortals are. And then (big surprise) you get to fight a Big Nasty Lich (tm). </SPOILER>
This is just one example. It seems like most of the quests you're sent on have only two or three possible resolutions: bring quest item to x, to y, or fail the quest, for example. And what, to me, seem like fairly bone-headedly obvious alternatives (what if I want to return the stolen tax money to the local authorities, rather than just cadge a share?) aren't available.
I still like the game. And I understand that it's an awful lot of work to write five or six endings for fifty or more quests, especially when you also have to record audio for all the dialogue choices. But I can't help but feel that there's an untapped potential here, and that while the technology is innovative, the storytelling lacks polish in this regard.
And it brings to mind that Bethesda Soft, the producers of the Elder Scrolls games, now owns the rights to make new "Fallout" games.
These games were in some ways more linear than the Elder Scrolls games, more "how is your character going to react to this situation" than "here's a blank slate, make your own situation." But within the context of its plotlines, the player had an enormous amount of choice. Talk your way out or shoot your way through? Do the mission or turn against the person who gave it? Wait it out and see how the situation changes without your interference?
Observing Oblivion, I can't help but wonder if the Bethesda game-makers are up to the task of creating that sort of experience.
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
Personally, I am a huge fan of all the Elder Scrolls games that I have played, so I don't have too huge of a problem with them making the new Fallout games. I do agree with you, though, that the linearity of the individual quests was a bit of a problem.
Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
At the rate they are going they will never get around to ruining the game anyway Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
I've corresponded with a few of them, and I think they're aware of what makes Fallout different and special to its audience. Doesn't mean they won't screw it up, but just be comforted that they know they're not just making a post-nuclear Oblivion Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
Being a big fan of the two Fallout games and also being quite fond of Morrowwind and being a bit fond of Oblivion. I must admit I am a bit worried (although its good to see that at least something is happening after the "original" Fallout 3 went down with Interplay/Black Isle).
While the Elder Scroll games are graphically spectacular and fun, the environment always seemed to be a cheap generic fantasy copy with a dash of Roman flavour. The gameplay in a way is almost like a GTA except as a good guy. Lots of places to go in the environment but not much depth.
Meanwhile, the Fallout series never looked good, it was always about the story and while the locations were much fewer and the ways of playing less, they were much more fleshed out.
Well, we'll see....even after that console Fallout more Fallout is still better than no-Fallout and you can always look at reviews before buying.
Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
Give me a gauss rifle and and crit build and i'll be happy. I'm easy I guess.
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