To boldly split infinites where no man has split them before

[Brother None]

DaC's Mismatch has taken the daring step to write a two (or three)-piece article to define the Fallout games. It is short, harsh and daring as Zorro on (armoured) horseback, and concludes with a six-item list: 1. Setting, 2. Dialogue, 3. Cause and Effect, 4. Freedom, Non-linearity, and open endedness, 5. S.P.E.C.I.A.L, 6. Turn Based Combat.

Link: Mismatch's Defining (The) Fallout(s): Part 1 on DaC

 

[Goweigus]

ok read, seems to sum up lightly what forum n00bs need to be told about what Fallout 3 needs. I'm sure you'll dive deeper into each essential part of Fallout.

I await the remaining articles!!!! The more the marrier!

 

[taxacaria]

moronwind was new to me.

part 1 seems to be ok, but it's not even a sensational one.
I'm looking for the next part.

 

[xu]

IMO, turn based combat in Fallout series was only essential to use S.P.E.C.I.A.L, otherwise, there is no need for it. I mean, if Bethesda goes first person (which they already are), then turn based is out of the league and so is S.P.E.C.I.A.L. But, as for me, i could settle for a well written story, Fallouty atmoshphere and great side quests and i hope they will make a good combat system, i mean if morrowinds combat was bad, then Oblivions is ever worse.

 

[Sander]

IMO, turn based combat in Fallout series was only essential to use S.P.E.C.I.A.L, otherwise, there is no need for it.

Bullshit. Fallout was created with the PnP atmosphere in mind. Hence turn-based.
Also, as a true cRPG where your character's stats determine his proficiency, and not the player's dexterity, turn-based combat is pretty much a must as well.

As for the article, it's neat, but very superficial, really. And at several points it seems to go from 'What made Fallout 'fallout'' to 'What makes a good RPG'.

 

[Angrim]

Yeah, the article's ok, but I don't think it raises anything new to the on-going conversation about how F3 should be. Those opinions and ideas have hung around for ages (in DaC and NMA) and I think everybody is familiar with them.

But anyway, as I said, the article's okay and I do agree with the content.

 

[SpeaK]

As for the article, it's neat, but very superficial, really. And at several points it seems to go from 'What made Fallout 'fallout'' to 'What makes a good RPG'.

Well, let's hope the follow up article(s) will dig a little deeper. An ok read, and yeah interested to read the next article(s) aswell.

 

[Karak]

IMO, turn based combat in Fallout series was only essential to use S.P.E.C.I.A.L, otherwise, there is no need for it. I mean, if Bethesda goes first person (which they already are), then turn based is out of the league and so is S.P.E.C.I.A.L. But, as for me, i could settle for a well written story, Fallouty atmoshphere and great side quests and i hope they will make a good combat system, i mean if morrowinds combat was bad, then Oblivions is ever worse.

I would say Fallout is out of THEIR league...and nice logic expecting them to do a good combat system, when you see the pattern yourself.
This game is doomed on so many levels...

 

[King of Creation]

IMO, turn based combat in Fallout series was only essential to use S.P.E.C.I.A.L, otherwise, there is no need for it. I mean

That's kind of what Mismatch said, though. Combat style should fit with the rest of the game. However, he also stated that Fallout needs to have SPECIAL and, therefore, it needs to have turnbased combat.

if Bethesda goes first person (which they already are), then turn based is out of the league and so is S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

Then it won't be a true Fallout game.

But, as for me, i could settle for a well written story, Fallouty atmoshphere and great side quests and i hope they will make a good combat system, i mean if morrowinds combat was bad, then Oblivions is ever worse.

Good to know you're setting your standards so high.

 

[taxacaria]

I mean, if Bethesda goes first person (which they already are), then turn based is out of the league and so is S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

hu? out of the league?
There are a lot of RPGs with 1st person view AND turnbased combat. SPECIAL is a good system and it's a part of the Fallout series. And a 1st person view isn't a good idea when operating with companions.
Maybe some skills or feats need an adjustment to fit FO3 - but there is no reason to make general changes. If you're able to present a better system, feel free to explain your great ideas.

Remember Beth's TES series - the char system has been changed in every sequel to become the dumbed down one at Oblivion at last.
Next is Beth's favored 'learning by doing' system which forces the player to seek for opportunities to boost single skills - loosing the rewards for defeating hard opponents and for quest success (which is needed in an RPG - compensation by tresures doesn't work properly without experience points). And it's forcing the player more and more to mouse click orgies. I remember I've leveled up by simple jumping or running in the TES series. Beth has never developed a good combat system,
and the shorter fights must be repeated on and on to give the player enough of opportunities to advance. It's a question of quality or quantity. A lot of 3rd class fights depending on player's mouse click abilities are things no one wants in Fallout3.
So real time combat would bring a lot of changes in Fallout - and these changes will kill the RPG character of the game and will turn it into a shooter.

 

[Briosafreak]

There are a lot of RPGs with 1st person view AND turnbased combat.

Can we get back to be all nostalgic about the Krondor series? Still those games required birdview while in combat for the TB combat to be effective.

 

[taxacaria]

There are a lot of RPGs with 1st person view AND turnbased combat.

Can we get back to be all nostalgic about the Krondor series? Still those games required birdview while in combat for the TB combat to be effective.

Agreed.
In the Krondor series tactical movement of several party members was required in nearly every combat round. But you're controlling all party members in battle - in Fallout they have their own independent behavior in combat. That's a difference.
Party-RPGs with 1st person view didn't have much movement in combat usually. Some have different combat positions for single members - but that's all.