Poll: Who Do You Think is Best RPGs Between Bioware, Square Enix, and Bethesda?

[AlternatePFG]

KotOR was my Favorite Game of All Time for awhile, and even now I still love it, but Obsidian has tarnished my memories with arguably the worst sequel of all time. A nonsensical plot, completely mutilated dialogue trees, decent combat (they fixed all the problems there, at least), and then they C&D the people who were trying to fix their mess??? WTF??? If you won't make a decent game, then at least let others give it a shot!

Worse sequel of all time? I loved the first KOTOR and I thought KOTOR 2 was just good. Nonsensical plot? The writing was top notch, and it pretty much deconstructed the themes of the Star Wars universe, the first game, and RPG's themselves. Mutilated dialogue trees? I don't remember any of that stuff. Also, Obsidian wanted to release a patch fixing the bugs and patching in the content that got cut but Lucas Arts wouldn't let them.

If you don't like the game fine, but there are plenty of worse sequels out there.

 

[KiruTheMant]

Square Enix, due to the sheer Volume of games and the ability to do it right the first time (Mostly.)

 

[Moeez]

None. CD Projekt is the right answer. All three companies have lost their touch.

http://www.gamerdna.com/uimage/large/geralt-jpg.jpg

Antidote to BIOWARE: If you liked KOTOR, but didn't like the direction Bioware went to casual all their following RPGs, play Witcher 1 because it has that same pseudo-real time/turn based battle system, lots of loot. Decisions that change entire parts of the game, the sort of game-changing you won't expect, and they're very hard to spot unlike Bioware's light/dark systems. One of the best RPGs in years, with some really memorable side quests.

Antidote to BETHESDA: If you're a fan of towns in Morrowind/Oblivion, play Witcher 2 where entire towns could be missed based on your decisions. Much better handling of the "Radiant AI" Bethesda was promising which fell WAY flat in execution [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uac_e4GJpbw&feature=related]. Much better combat, strategy, and side quests.

 

[OldRat]

Square has lost much of what it once was. Too much. It's coughing blood and limping, and what it manages to scrape together is pitiful compared to what it once created.

But as for me, Bioware hands down. I never really managed to get Elder Scroll games to "click" for me, and despite all my efforts I really, really never managed to get them on any level. I tried and I failed. They were just... there. I couldn't feel any connection to them. Fallout 3 was better, but I still couldn't really get into it in a big way.
And yet, since Baldur's Gate, Bioware has managed to suck me in, again and again. I'm truly, deeply grateful for all the fun and joy they've brought me, and they really can do no wrong in my books (no, not even Dragon Age 2 will change my mind).

 

[OceanSapphire]

So hard to pick...

BioWare has created the games that got me into RPG's in the first place whereas Square Enix games are what I play mostly now.

Square Enix it is.

 

[KingKamor]

I'd have to choose Atlus.

 

[natster43]

Bethesda. While I really like Bioware's universes and Square has made some of my favorite RPGs, Bethesda has the only ones now that I can really sit down and play a lot. I still need to get out of the Citadel in Mass Effect, and I spent the last few weeks only playing Fallout New Vegas.

 

[AlternatePFG]

Bethesda. While I really like Bioware's universes and Square has made some of my favorite RPGs, Bethesda has the only ones now that I can really sit down and play a lot. I still need to get out of the Citadel in Mass Effect, and I spent the last few weeks only playing Fallout New Vegas.

New Vegas was only published by Bethesda, Obsidian developed it.

 

[Norris IV]

Bioware 'cause they're the best for story based games, whereas bethseda are more for the gameplay side of it, Square Enix are better at making drop down menus (or combat as they call it) The way I see it, I'd much rather be playing ME or Jade empire over FF (unless were talking about crisis core here then its a hard choice)

 

[natster43]

Bethesda. While I really like Bioware's universes and Square has made some of my favorite RPGs, Bethesda has the only ones now that I can really sit down and play a lot. I still need to get out of the Citadel in Mass Effect, and I spent the last few weeks only playing Fallout New Vegas.

New Vegas was only published by Bethesda, Obsidian developed it.

Oh yeah. Okay, replace "New Vegas" with "3" and "the last few weeks" with "about a month when it came out".

 

[AlternatePFG]

Bethesda. While I really like Bioware's universes and Square has made some of my favorite RPGs, Bethesda has the only ones now that I can really sit down and play a lot. I still need to get out of the Citadel in Mass Effect, and I spent the last few weeks only playing Fallout New Vegas.

New Vegas was only published by Bethesda, Obsidian developed it.

Oh yeah. Okay, replace "New Vegas" with "3" and "the last few weeks" with "about a month when it came out".

I'm still playing 3 somewhat often since I got it. Both games I've spent a frankly embarrassing amount of time on. Not a huge fan of the Elder Scrolls, not my cup of tea.

 

[InfectedStar]

Square Enix makes RPGs? Ok guys, how long have I been in a cryostatic coma? Seriously...

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

BioWare because they are better then Square Enix and Bethesda put together. I like Final Fantasy and The Elder Scrolls but not as much as I like Dargon Age, Mass Effect and KotOR.

 

[Greatjusticeman]

It's a hard choice.

Bioware's games has great stories, characters....while Bethesda makes worlds you can fall in and do whatever you want, while also coming up with very fun quests and stories.

Probably Bethesda. They are just funner, and their worlds are more immersing then Bioware's. But they win by just a thread.

Square Enix, you say? I tried FFXIII...I didn't find anything engaging about it at all. I've heard good things about the past FF games so perhaps it's not fair of me to say this - but I don't think they belong in the ranks of great RPG makers such as Bioware and Bethesda.

 

[novokast]

I'm glad that Square-Enix aren't getting off lightly here. i'm re-playing ff4 cos nothing else appeals. FF13 just kept talking, and talking... just finished ME2(delighted that story hasn't been forgotten), and would almost say BioWare on the back of that.... if i wasn't playing Persona4 on the PS2. How do Atlus do it? I suppose it depends which one's ya cup of tea, cos i got 100 hours on Oblivion too. goddamn! I didn't think it'd be this tough!

 

[Guillermo Gonzalez]

Lets see here...
Dragon Age - One of the worst games I've ever played.
Mass Effect - Too boring to get into.
Oblivion - Too boring to get into.
Fallout 3 - Amazing.
Star Ocean - Too boring/bad to get into.
Final Fantasy 7, 10, 12 - Great.
Final Fantasy 1, 13 - Decent.
Final Fantasy 8 - Too boring.

I guess I'll go with Square Enix since I can actually play their games without falling asleep. Well, Final Fantasy at least...

GSC Game World is by far the best.

You consider Mass Effect and Dragon Age bad, while you consider Final Fantasy great/decent...
wow, i need to lay down.

 

[babinro]

Bethesda is the only one I could easily cut from the list...they do great games but I prefer Bioware and Square.

Voted Square because I grew up loving their product and they hold a nostalgia feel to me. I loved FF12 and 13 so in my eyes they continue to do great work. Bioware does the better job in the last couple of years but that's not enough to dethrone Squares history.

 

[Rad Party God]

The three have extremely different styles of making RPGs and it entirely depends on whom are you asking.

In my opinion, Square Enix always had the potential to tell amazing tales and stories, but I rarely finish their games.

BioWare, well, I've played both Baldur's Gate games, Neverwinter Nights, both Mass Effects and a bit of both Dragon Ages (never finished those), so, if only for Mass Effect 1 & 2, they're simply amazing.

Bethesda, say what you want, they may have never told a decent story in their games and their games may be riddled with bugs, but also their games makes me play them for 100 hours at the very least, in the first run. So, yeah, they get my vote.

 

[jameskillalot]

I would say square since KH series. I really do not like the recent final fantasys, though I did love FF 7 and 8.

 

[F-I-D-O]

Mass Effect... Oblivion.... Mass Effect 2...Skyrim....

There is no answer.

This, but Fallout 3 helps push Bethsedea along. Plus, the fact that I'm just now playing oblivion helps a little.
I do not like the new audio capthcas. Can't listen to anything while they're going.