The Perfect RPG

[Diddy_Mao]

Balancing challenge to avoid mandatory grinding - I think that level grinding is an almost unavoidable aspect of RPGs, but adding systems to the game that more or less require it (lookin' at you, FF IX's gear based skill acquisition) or challenge spikes that require you to spend a few hours grinding in any new area to buy decent new gear (Dragon Quest VIII & Ni No Kuni)is just making what should be a fun game into busy work.

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

Balancing challenge to avoid mandatory grinding - I think that level grinding is an almost unavoidable aspect of RPGs, but adding systems to the game that more or less require it (lookin' at you, FF IX's gear based skill acquisition) or challenge spikes that require you to spend a few hours grinding in any new area to buy decent new gear (Dragon Quest VIII & Ni No Kuni)is just making what should be a fun game into busy work.

Don't mean to be a loud mouth quoting two people in a row, but it's not unavoidable. All of my favourite RPGs can be completed without any grinding whatsoever if you know the mechanics well, and Final Fantasy X can be completed without levelling up at all (called the No Sphere Grid run).

Paper Mario TTYD gave us 'Danger Mario' mode requiring skilled use of badges, and while Wild Arms 3 has some hard bosses, its skill system allows you to create protection against any element or status ailment (which is good because there's a lengthy side quest that involves fighting aliens which are that series' equivalent to Malboros, capable of inflicting every status ailment in the game on you at once) without the need to grind. Instead, treasures are the prime factor. The only time you would need to grind in Chrono Trigger is because Spekkio's final form is only unlocked at level 99.

 

[astrogamic]

There should be versatility in the game mechanics. This allows for a mentally stimulating experience(as opposed to a repetitive grind), multiple approaches to the same situation and replay ability. Splinter cell blacklist and Skyrim did this well. Giving the player a variety of gear, options, enemies, plotlines, etc. are what make RPG's worth playing in the first place and is a large portion of the allure that allows someone to log 100+ hours on one game.

 

[Serioli]

Character and game design geared for not having to know every single skill so that you have both multiple playthroughs and ,you know, role playing rather than the jack of all trades you often have to end up with in more modern CRPG's

EDIT: Good examples, Morrowind, Fallout and Deus Ex.

 

[iampenguinlord]

A world that changes depending on your actions and their repercussions. For example, if you started a war you would see less people on the streets and more soldiers. The players choices and accomplishments would be reflected in the look of the world, not just in passing references from NPCs.

 

[Commissar Sae]

...also why can't we talk though our characters in MMOs ?..

I have a friend who played WoW as an Orc Warrior, he played in character the whole time, so we were treated to the often hilarious ramblings of Ush, the illiterate and monosyllabic warrior who received a few too many blows to the head and always referred to himself in the third person.

To me a great RPG requires me to be able to make the character be who I want them to be. Some games do this very well, others not so much. The fact that I can play a psychotic cannibal in New Vegas is fun, the downside though is that most of my conversations won't reflect that choice.

 

[Blacklight28]

A reactive world, one that responds to your interactions, even the small ones. Its one of the things I hated about Skyrim and loved about F:NV.

 

[gamernerdtg2]

The perfect RPG balances the menus, loot, crafting, story, and all that RPG stuff with real time, engaging combat. It doesn't have to be bloody or over the top, it just has to be solid combat.

For me, combat is what makes me want to explore the world, it makes looting, quests and exploration more fun, and RPGs can deliver in this area more than action games can if it's done right.

We've had killer turn based RPGs, we've had Skyrim with all its flaws that can be modified on the PC, we've had Dragon's Dogma. I want an rpg where you can design your own character and immerse them in a clever storyline or story-lines.

Also, no more dark B.S. Bring back the humor and clever whit of Bards Tale, or Armed and Dangerous. I'd design a character that would kick the Witcher's ass and be funny about it too.

All the other RPG stuff about consequences, influencing your party after you create one, etc, all that stuff is good too. If we could just get a game with all that meaty RPG stuff and combine it with amazing combat. Dogma was the closest thing to what I'm asking for, but that game has its flaws.

 

[FoolKiller]

It must include time travel a la Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and Radiant Historia.

Time traveling RPGs always get the best critical acclaim. It's a fact.

As long as its time travel and not time compression... damned FF 8.

I like what the OP said, but I will attribute it to the real Final Fantasy II. Wanna be good with swords? Use swords.

 

[Isalan]

The requirement to use all the skills and items at your disposal to achieve victory. There are so many RPG's that load you down with a limitless supply of potions, elixirs, wet stones along with a massive array of useless or incredibly situational moves or skills. Final Fantasy 7 is a particular offender in this category, with maybe 2 or 3 of the enemy skills being any use and the game frequently drops Megalixers on you that you will never use if you have even a basic understanding of the game (outside of Ruby/Emerald fights possibly).

Witcher 2 was kind of good in this respect especially on the higher difficulties. You needed to use your potions and salves in battles, and all the spells had their uses even in the most basic of fights.

I'm not saying make the games super hard or anything, but just make all the stuff your given relevant.

 

[LadyMint]

Tons of exploration, with a customizable base of operations that I can always return to once I'm done adventuring. Also for the love of pity, don't make all of the explored locations "doom and gloomy". I don't know about anyone else but I get really tired of always ending up in a sewer or crypt. Open areas and the great outdoors seem greatly overlooked.

A game that lets you level up different weapons and magic, instead of equipping an axe for the first time and being a master of it instantly, while giving you your special skills once you hit certain marks.

I agree with this. I enjoy the challenge of having to perfect weapons/equipment individually and the thrill of discovering their abilities through constant use.

 

[UniversalRonin]

An open world with the chance to get as lost as you like between missions. What I loved about Fallout NV was the chance to pretty much explore the whole world before bothering with the main storyline. And that you could pick and choose your side for almost the entire game before settling down to choose who you are actually going to win the game for. I like a nice rich open experience that I can spend hours drifting through.

Also, I loved the way that The Secret World does a skill wheel rather than levels. I think that would make an ace addition to RPG's. Bored of being a ranger? start spending your skill points on being a thief. Oh, you're late in the game? Well, that's okay, it's the skills you're levelling, not your character. Capped at level 30? What's Level 30?