Poll: Random Encounters vs Known Encounters in JRPGs

[Tilly]

My main factor in deciding whether I like the random encounters in a game is how shocking the screen transition is. Some of them are just annoying. Screen cracking like a glass window or some crap like that.
I guess random encounters are easier for developers though because they 1) don't have to animate and render enemies to walk around the map and 2) I'm guessing it's easier to have set boss difficulties cos you'll have a rough idea of what level the player will be at.
It also depends on the style of environment. I think random encounters worked fine in games like FF7 (conversely known encounters felt out of place in Chrono Cross) but they wouldn't in Xenoblade Chronicles.

 

[gonenow]

The random battles are one of the reasons why I never finished Final Fantasy 8 (besides the main character...god I hate Squall). It didn't bother me as much when I played FF7 for the first time but now I find it unbearable. Especially since it's often go this way now go back go back again with random battle after random battle after random battle.

On the other hand I never finished Septerra Core, which has known encounters but the amount is just ridiculous. Also the enemies respawn once you leave an area and enter it again and since you are forced to revisit some areas multiple times it gets extremely annoying.

FF8 doesn't have random encounters though... (other than the world map)

Personally I'm in the random encounters but with a no encounter ability camp. Known encounters is basically lets avoid enemies and just beat bosses / forced encounters while random encounters at least force some response from you

 

[raeior]

FF8 doesn't have random encounters though... (other than the world map)

Uhm yes it has. Just from the top of my head: Sewers under the capital, Tornberry ruin thingie, the garden inside the garden (erm..yeah you know what I mean). Also the world map obviously. Everything except towns or other safe zones has random battles. They can be disabled/tuned down with I think Diabolos which swings too far into the other direction.

 

[PsiChaos]

I prefer known encounters in RPGs, but random encounters do have it's uses. For example, I doubt a game like Pokemon would actually work as intended with a known-encounter system.

 

[gonenow]

FF8 doesn't have random encounters though... (other than the world map)

Uhm yes it has. Just from the top of my head: Sewers under the capital, Tornberry ruin thingie, the garden inside the garden (erm..yeah you know what I mean). Also the world map obviously. Everything except towns or other safe zones has random battles. They can be disabled/tuned down with I think Diabolos which swings too far into the other direction.

They're not random though FF8 actually uses a step counter so you are guaranteed to get the exact same encounters in the same places if you move optimally. They're basically known encounters if you've played the game before just without appearing on the main map

 

[Timeless Lavender]

Known encounters is very important for me since I like to prep for a battle beforehand. But Pokémon really makes me like random encounters since I like to guess which Pokémon would pop out (especially shiny Pokémons or rare ones like feebas, I it made my day).

 

[mitchell271]

What about a combination of the 2? Like Pokémon? I can grind when I want but I can also run like a little ***** when I'm low on health and out of healing items