Brother None counts down his favourite games

[Lexx]

I got the same werewolf experience. I never want to do it again, but it was great.

A shame that the second half of the game was combat-only. I got a pretty hard time with it and needed to do a lot save&load because of my non-100%-combat character.

 

[Brother None]

Also an aside; there'll probably be a big pause heading into the top-5. I've been sampling all the games I listed prior to writing, the better to write 'bout 'em, but I'll prolly need more time on that for my top-5 games.

i don't feel like the game balance is off in favor of magic users.

I don't know if the game balance is off overall, but it's easier to unbalance the game right from the start as a mage user. Doesn't take any specialized knowledge of the game, just start with stun and harm and you'll coast throughout.

Dungeon Master's impact upon the gaming world was big back in the day.

Way to miss the point. I didn't say it's impact wasn't big, I said it's impact wasn't good. Not that I have a problem with first-person or real-time RPGs, obviously, more that the likes of Dungeon Master, Daggerfall and Baldur's Gate strangled the cRPG genre into the parody it is now. The fact that its impact was big is pretty essential to that point.

You had better have TOEE somewhere on the list.

Nope. Don't like dungeon crawls.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

This'll be the last time Troika rears its head so enjoy it...

I cannot believe you will leave last and best game made by Troika off your list. Shame, big fucking shame on you. Also, "dungeon crawls"? Did you even play the game? Sure, it may not feature the story of Planescape, but it sure as hell isn't as h&sshy as some other representatives of the genre. Heck, you can make it through the game with barely any fighting at all. You'd be missing out on some really great TB combat and one of the best PnP module adaptations if you do, though.

That said, I need to get to play Bloodlines. Last time I tried on my old computer, it had some horrible graphic bugs that prevented me from playing it.

 

[Deadman87]

I keep coming back to Bloodlines. The story is just so intriguing, and the constant patching gives me something new to check out each and every time.

Think I will let it go at least 3 years from now before I play it again though.

I'm starting to like this list. When is SS2 coming?

 

[Brother None]

I cannot believe you will leave last and best game made by Troika off your list.

Bloodlines was their last game.

Also, "dungeon crawls"? Did you even play the game?

Yes. Loved the combat. And the radial menus. But are you honestly going to sit there and say the core gameplay concept is not your party sloshing its way through dungeon combat? Especially considering the tepid design of many of Homlett and Nulb's quests. I'm not saying it's "just" a dungeon crawl, but its effectiveness as a dungeon crawl is the core crutch of the game. Dungeon crawl is not the same thing as hack 'n slash, tho'.

When is SS2 coming?

There are no FPSs on this list.
(well ok SS2 is and FPSRPG and they're here)
(but still, SS2 isn't)

 

[Serge 13]

This list is good because it has VTMB and Arcanum.

 

[Arr0nax]

I can't believe how much people do not know or played Vampire : Bloodlines.
Seriously, you can't see yourself as a RPG fan, wandering on a Fallout forum, without having played this game.

Hell, it's nothing less than the last quality RPG we had, and one of the only one we got after Fallout (Okay, Arcanum).

Also, it's the only successful example to date of a 1st person RPG where the 1st person actually adds something to the genre.

Just get the PATCH and go do your homework.

Now, Brother None, with your clear hints that not much "classics" are in the top 5, and with Fallout, Arcanum and Vampire behind us, I'm really curious.
I don't really know you so I can't really guess but I hope Thief II is up here with the stars. Because appart from this one and Fallout 2 we already passed the rest of my top 5.

 

[SimpleMinded]

It's amazing how great troikas games are and yet how delegated they are to niche status. Sigh, at least we will know and love them.

Great list so far... your write ups on Arcanum and Bloodlines were perfect.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Bloodlines was their last game.

I guess I got that wrong then >___>

Yes. Loved the combat. And the radial menus. But are you honestly going to sit there and say the core gameplay concept is not your party sloshing its way through dungeon combat? Especially considering the tepid design of many of Homlett and Nulb's quests. I'm not saying it's "just" a dungeon crawl, but its effectiveness as a dungeon crawl is the core crutch of the game. Dungeon crawl is not the same thing as hack 'n slash, tho'.

Well, some of it is. There's also a plenty of talking to people and relationship quests (think Hommlet FedEx and TOEE level 2). I'd say it's reasonably well-balanced, and unlike some other games with dungeon-crawling, the exploration isn't linear or repetitive.

 

[DexterMorgan]

It's a shame I never played Bloodlines since now I can't read your review for fear of the spoilers. At least you did remind me of another game to add to the "list".

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

And it should be at the top of your "list". As in go get and play it NOW.

They don't make shit like this any more.

 

[Misteryo]

I've never acquired the best armor in the game.

Misteryo

 

[jero cvmi]

Bloodlines = Pure Genius, easily my favorite among 3d games.
But while in the beginning it feels so promising, in the end it feels so unfinished.
Apart from the bugs which now have been taken care of by the patches, there are many things the game makes you believe you should be able to do, and then doesn't let you. From small things like selling your armor and ammo, to bigger things like alternative solutions for (few but annoying) parts of the main quest... for example, the way [spoiler:faaba205f5]the game forces you to snitch Nines even if you're Brujah and want to join the Anarchs[/spoiler:faaba205f5] is ridiculus.

Long story short, what i didn't like about Bloodlines is that there was too little of it...

 

[aenemic]

all I'm going to add to this disgustingly pretentious thread is that it's awesome how you chose Diablo instead of Diablo II. couldn't be bothered to read all of the text there so I'm not sure why you chose it. but personally, I'd take Diablo over Diablo II any day because I think everything is better in it, except the lack of a deeper skill system and that's it's too short.

the graphics, the story, the setting, the music, the combat etc. far superior to Diablo II in my opinion.

 

[Multidirectional]

Long story short, what i didn't like about Bloodlines is that there was too little of it...

Pretty much how I feel, love the game to death and can't keep myself from replaying it every few months, and every time I just keep imagining all kinds of great stuff that could be added to the game which makes me sad. This game accomplished so much in terms of gameworld, story and characters, much more than any other game I've played, and yet it still feels like there should be a lot more. Maybe that's part of what's great about it - it's inspiring. To us gamers at least if not other developers.

 

[Unkillable Cat]

Dungeon Master's impact upon the gaming world was big back in the day.

Way to miss the point. I didn't say it's impact wasn't big, I said it's impact wasn't good.

Then make your written words more clear in the future. Saying that a game has a "not good" impact upon the gaming industry is a term that is open to interpretation. I reached one conclusion, while you hide behind another. Especially since your conclusion is an opinion, barely backed up by facts.

If you want to point to a game that is charged as having "strangled the cRPG genre" then you're looking in the wrong genre of games. Because the game most primarily guilty of making anything else than real-time graphic-intensive twitch gaming look outdated and, more importantly, unprofitable, then you want to point your finger at Doom.

Sure, a few other games had come before that offered a gaming experience similar to Doom (and some of them were even cRPGs) but it was Doom that showed everyone that the PC can make good games, and that they could also sell and make millions.

By pointing to Dungeon Master and saying that it had a hand in strangling the cRPG genre, you are pointing at the house cat that caught itself a mouse for a meal, while ignoring the elephant that's trampling the whole house down.

 

[Brother None]

Then make your written words more clear in the future.

Or read the rest of the thread before replying to a post, as in context it is very clear what I'm talking about. It's not my fault if you choose to jump in halfway without bothering to read up.

Because the game most primarily guilty of making anything else than real-time graphic-intensive twitch gaming look outdated and, more importantly, unprofitable, then you want to point your finger at Doom.

Sure. Never said otherwise. So?

disgustingly pretentious thread

Well, some of it is. There's also a plenty of talking to people and relationship quests (think Hommlet FedEx and TOEE level 2). I'd say it's reasonably well-balanced, and unlike some other games with dungeon-crawling, the exploration isn't linear or repetitive.

I think you're missing what I'm saying. I'm not burning on ToEE, it's a solid game, but the excellent turn-based combat dungeon crawling is probably the core of why people enjoy this game. The locations and quests are too flat, in my opinion, to serve as a core component. Hence, while I do enjoy the dungeon crawling to some extent, it's "not for me" to an extent to nudge ToEE out of my favourite list.

 

[SuAside]

8. Vampire - the Masquarade: Bloodlines - Troika Studios (Windows, 2004)

ah, V:tM-B... were it not for the fact that i always keep this game installed, i'd have to say "FUCK REINSTALLING!".

yeah, if Deus Ex had that effect, V:tM-B has it twofold as hard for me. it's simply one of my favorite games. it has a lot of flaws (as all Troika games have), but damn it if it isn't a wonderful game regardless once patched a bit. the brilliant dialog, the decent setting, the fun characters and the semi-decent plot. it's wonderfully refreshing from the usual stupid gamedesign we see nowadays.

as a ratsucking freak, a demented Malk, a wild Gangrel loner or a UZI wielding Tremere chick this friggin' game rocks so hard...

It's a shame I never played Bloodlines since now I can't read your review for fear of the spoilers. At least you did remind me of another game to add to the "list".

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

i petition to hang TVD from the highest ruin we can find...

 

[Serge 13]

Yup, let's also not forget the awesome soundtrack!
VTMB was one of those games that really reminded me of the first time i played Fallout.
Damn it Troika...why did you have to die!

 

[Arr0nax]

Oh yeah, the soundtrack !

With games like Vampire, Arcanum and Fallout, I think it's important to highlight the importance of the soundtracks. And more generally, of sound engineering.

 

[Black]

[PERception] So you like Troika, huh?[/PERception]
Place your best if we'll see ToEE in here!