Less than a month left, time for a thread.
I'm actually surprised there isn't one yet.
Anyway, I'm very cautiously optimistic: SURELY they learned from the Oblivion comments, right? Right?
Then again, it was a huge success, and they did Fallout 3 next. Which was definitely better. But while I rate Morrowind highly (not up to Deus Ex, but close) and had a good time with Fallout 3 for a bit until I got bored (and I think mutants and decapitation look better in low-res 2D), Oblivion was a bummer.
What I hope and would like:
- A pretty static world with moderate levelling of creatures at appropriate locations. "Don't go North! You'll die." And things like shrines/gates or whatever. But make them hard to start with, and easier when you are Badass.
- Lots of really cool and different places to visit. Irrelevant and minor, but unique details everywhere are especially appreciated, and throw in some spectacular highlights. They don't have to have any other function than looking nice and unique.
- Really interesting storylines and quests that require thinking and trying, like the main quest in Morrowind.
- Feeling really wimpy at level 1, and really Badass at high level. Until you meet that Lich (or whatever seriously powerful creature, or group) that pwns you completely in seconds when you waltz in, unprepared.
- Easy enchanting (the cool stuff as well), much less restricted alchemy, and especially levitation!
- Lots of cool and unique artefacts to loot or (especially) steal. And ESPECIALLY no psychic and teleporting guards.
- NOT geared towards hack and slash, and restricting anything that might make it less "challenging"!
- I would really like it if not every critter/hostile NPC would immediately beeline, jump and try to decapitate you as soon as they see you.
- No quest compass and fast-travel by clicking.
- And lots of other stuff. But mostly: I hope it'll be immersive and rewarding. Which was where Oblivion scored really bad.
Let's look at it like this: how much do I mod the game before playing it?
1. Deus Ex: I tend to increase ammo capacity and ammo drop rates a bit for the silent weapons (but could do without), use a DX9+ shader and would like better models and textures. (Across the board, not a patchwork.)
2. Morrowind: Better Bodies are a must, a belt with one point of slowfall and water breathing are convenient but not required. Other mods (visual and content) are mostly used once, to try and see.
3. Fallout 3: It misses a bit of "vibe", so it needs some mods to spice it up. It looks and feels somewhat bland overall, and there isn't all that much accomplishment. Level(ing) mods are a must. Lots of interesting places and items, though.
4. Oblivion: It needs a shitload of mods before I'll even contemplate playing it. It got bland pretty fast the first time. It's mostly all the same: if you played it for a bit, went to a city and cave, you've seen most of it. Lots of potential, but you need that (and all those mods) to make it actually worth playing.
What I have seen and heard so far:
The good:
- The looks.
- Enchanting!
- Zoom from point-blank to mini-map.
The Bad:
- Bland magic.
- Finishing moves and third person cinematics.
- No RPG mechanics during combat (it's a FPS).
I'm actually surprised there isn't one yet.
Anyway, I'm very cautiously optimistic: SURELY they learned from the Oblivion comments, right? Right?
Then again, it was a huge success, and they did Fallout 3 next. Which was definitely better. But while I rate Morrowind highly (not up to Deus Ex, but close) and had a good time with Fallout 3 for a bit until I got bored (and I think mutants and decapitation look better in low-res 2D), Oblivion was a bummer.
What I hope and would like:
- A pretty static world with moderate levelling of creatures at appropriate locations. "Don't go North! You'll die." And things like shrines/gates or whatever. But make them hard to start with, and easier when you are Badass.
- Lots of really cool and different places to visit. Irrelevant and minor, but unique details everywhere are especially appreciated, and throw in some spectacular highlights. They don't have to have any other function than looking nice and unique.
- Really interesting storylines and quests that require thinking and trying, like the main quest in Morrowind.
- Feeling really wimpy at level 1, and really Badass at high level. Until you meet that Lich (or whatever seriously powerful creature, or group) that pwns you completely in seconds when you waltz in, unprepared.
- Easy enchanting (the cool stuff as well), much less restricted alchemy, and especially levitation!
- Lots of cool and unique artefacts to loot or (especially) steal. And ESPECIALLY no psychic and teleporting guards.
- NOT geared towards hack and slash, and restricting anything that might make it less "challenging"!
- I would really like it if not every critter/hostile NPC would immediately beeline, jump and try to decapitate you as soon as they see you.
- No quest compass and fast-travel by clicking.
- And lots of other stuff. But mostly: I hope it'll be immersive and rewarding. Which was where Oblivion scored really bad.
Let's look at it like this: how much do I mod the game before playing it?
1. Deus Ex: I tend to increase ammo capacity and ammo drop rates a bit for the silent weapons (but could do without), use a DX9+ shader and would like better models and textures. (Across the board, not a patchwork.)
2. Morrowind: Better Bodies are a must, a belt with one point of slowfall and water breathing are convenient but not required. Other mods (visual and content) are mostly used once, to try and see.
3. Fallout 3: It misses a bit of "vibe", so it needs some mods to spice it up. It looks and feels somewhat bland overall, and there isn't all that much accomplishment. Level(ing) mods are a must. Lots of interesting places and items, though.
4. Oblivion: It needs a shitload of mods before I'll even contemplate playing it. It got bland pretty fast the first time. It's mostly all the same: if you played it for a bit, went to a city and cave, you've seen most of it. Lots of potential, but you need that (and all those mods) to make it actually worth playing.
What I have seen and heard so far:
The good:
- The looks.
- Enchanting!
- Zoom from point-blank to mini-map.
The Bad:
- Bland magic.
- Finishing moves and third person cinematics.
- No RPG mechanics during combat (it's a FPS).
