What RPG are you playing right now?

[Xeogred]

That is the one spinoff to FFVII that I've wanted to get around too at some point.

[GazongaJoe]

I've yet to play FFVII since i'm just recently starting with the older titles but I have seen a friend basically play the whole game through. It was like a great movie. Can't wait to get to it really but I have to beat 6 VI first.

[noiseredux]

Started play Evoland last night. It's pretty awesome. Reminds me a bit of Half-Minute Hero in its amplifying RPG tropes, though it does it in a totally different (and very fun) way.

[CavZee]

I seriously see far more "Final Fantasy VII is overrated" comments than I actually see comments from people who actually like the game.

I remember several years ago the game got nothing but praise and now I see just as many who are against it. Personally I love it. Did then, still do now.

You could easily just say it's one if those "you had to be there" things, but isn't that true for practically every game that had such a historical impact? You've got to keep expectations in check when you're playing a "classic" for the first time.

[Menegrothx]

How come there aren't any singleplayer RPGs that use MMORPG style skills and UI?

Now I already know the answer to my question, but, if we're going to have medieval fantasy RPGs with real time battle systems where the use of magic is common place, as opposed to realistic simulation of medieval warfare, then why not go all the way? While in MMORPGs the true depth of the battle system (using macros etc) don't usually come into play unless you're playing against other players rather than NPCs with limited number of skills and AI, there's still a lot of room for depth and strategy in battles, not to mention that it's just fun to play when you're really forced to constantly use a wide variety of different spells, skills and tactics in combat and make decisions in real time.

[isiolia]

FFXIV has good options for controller use, not like it can't work. There are plenty of people who liked to use a controller for XI too (though that doesn't have a hotbar). Some MMOs are suited to it, some aren't. TERA also supports a 360 pad.

I think it comes down to individual characters having a lot less going on in most single player games. Often, you get control of a party's worth, which fleshes things out for the player, but often broken up into manageable chunks. One characters turn comes up, or combat is otherwise paused while you pick what each one does next. You pick from their little list of things to do, and then on to the next character.

MMOs can't really stop and wait for each player to figure out what they want to do. Modern ones are usually using a global cooldown, so using abilities as that comes up every couple seconds, dodging attacks/environmental hazard in real time, etc...you want relevant actions at the tip of your fingers.
If you can just hit space (or whatever) to pause combat and queue up actions, then cluttering up the screen like that isn't as necessary. The style of combat is another thing, but I think there are ones like Amalur that have tried it, and otherwise copious amounts of bitching when party members are left to AI control like FFXII/XIII.

[MrPopo]

Also, MMOs tend to have lots of "random utility" skills that get used once or twice in specific situations, and really are a waste. MMOs want to keep giving you new skills and new ranks of skills every level to keep up the reward system that keeps you hooked on an MMO. By comparison, a single player RPG can be stingier because they don't need to hit that "keep playing for the rest of your life" thing.

[Jmustang1968]

Also, MMOs tend to have lots of "random utility" skills that get used once or twice in specific situations, and really are a waste. MMOs want to keep giving you new skills and new ranks of skills every level to keep up the reward system that keeps you hooked on an MMO. By comparison, a single player RPG can be stingier because they don't need to hit that "keep playing for the rest of your life" thing.

Eh I don't think you got the why right. It isn't to keep the reward system going. It is because therr are so many different roles and gameplay types to account for.

Certain classes have specific skills for pve, pvp, tanking, dps, healing, crowd control, solo play, group play etc...
If you only focus on certain aspects of the game then yes, many skills won't be used often. Playing as a warrior in WoW I used nearly all of my skills quite heavily throughout my playing time.

Single player games don't generally have so many different gameplay roles.

[Menegrothx]

I think it comes down to individual characters having a lot less going on in most single player games. Often, you get control of a party's worth, which fleshes things out for the player, but often broken up into manageable chunks. One characters turn comes up, or combat is otherwise paused while you pick what each one does next.

That's the thing. If it's going to be non turn based and there's no party, might as well turn the character into a really powerful bad ass with a lot of skills like in WoW. Give me TB/isometric real time with pause otherwise. FPS-RPG works well in some games, but the games could have a lot more going on as far as spells/skills and gadgets are concerned. Though I think that Third Person view becomes somewhat necessary if you start adding more skills and depth to the battle system.

the why right. It isn't to keep the reward system going. It is because therr are so many different roles and gameplay types to account for.

Certain classes have specific skills for pve, pvp, tanking, dps, healing, crowd control, solo play, group play etc...
If you only focus on certain aspects of the game then yes, many skills won't be used often. Playing as a warrior in WoW I used nearly all of my skills quite heavily throughout my playing time.

This would also create the most entertaining gameplay moments, even outside PvP. Some party members died, your party was poorly equipped to handle some challenge or you were a few guys short and you'd have to come with some kind of creative strategy and use your skills in unconventional ways in order to stand a chance against that boss or that really tough pack of trash mobs. That's what separates the good players from the mediocre ones, good players really knew how to utilize all of their skills in different kind of situations, knew how to counter different dangerous situations and would adapt their playstyle with the situation. For example if there are 2 warriors, a tank and a dual wielding DPS warrior and the tank suddenly dies, a good DPS warrior instantly knows to use a sword+shield macro, switch to defensive stance and taunt the enemy. If it's too tough, he'll instead start running away from the enemy, kiting it with hamstring, piercing howl (slows down all enemies within 15 yards), intervening on party members, intercepting on less dangeorus mobs to grow distance between the boss and him while damage over time spells and ranged attackers would kill it, to minimize recieved damage (and the mana the healer has to consume to heal the ill-equiped alternative tank)

[BoneSnapDeez]

Decided to try a JRPG on the NGPC!