pakopako wrote:Not that I don't disagree with what you are saying, I just don't think that will happen. The farther along the sequel go, the less they resemble their original progenitors. Both Dragon Quest and Final fantasy fit that. Heck, see how much Fallout 3 resembles Wateland. Although I do applaud a game like Dark Spire or Etrian Odyssey[/b], but it is also difficult for those games to find an audience nowadays. Gradually moving backwards might be more feasible since the change won't be as sudden, but given how long some of these game series' go, it might be awhile before that first game is reached.
I was mostly thinking of turn based RPGs with my comments. I have no idea why so many RPG fans today complain about random encounters. In that case I do think a brand new player with no prior experience might appreciate the genre as a whole better if they started with the original (console) turn based RPGs.
I haven't played any current gen RPGs yet, they just haven't captured my attention. I've tried Phantasy Star Online but the main character just pissed me off. I tried Oblivion but the gameplay pissed me off (don't pretend at real time combat). In cases of Western RPGs and more exploration based role playing games I'd still say that starting out with something like King's Quest and early Detective style games would be best, but only if the player was willing to go back first.
pakopako wrote:I actually do agree that if combat was taken out we'd end up with something akin to a visual novel or text adventure... or even graphical adventure. But I think of the Sakura Taisen series -- all five main Sakura Wars games are half date-sim and half tactical game. ...
... A sole VN would have more characters to interact with, thus more choices to make and remember. A more combat intensive game would have promotions, diverse weaponry, and squad-based tactical formations. I look to the Grandia series, where every battle is akin to a boss battle because of how the field is laid out. A great combat system which is (for the first two games in my limited experience) supplanted by a nice story.
The whole point of a genre blender is that there were original genres to blend. Shining Force wasn't the first turn based strategy game either, but it's RPG elements were easy to understand for any turn based RPG fan. Grandia is another great example, the gameplay is as much about the combat, and leveling, as it is about the story and all aspects are complimentary.
