Which is better?

[Sano]

So, which do you guys think is better?

Random encounter battles or the type where the monsters are out in the open and you just go up and fight them (yes, i forgot what type this is called.. lol)?

I think I prefer random encounter myself.

[Jagosaurus]

I guess it depends. I like the visible enemies when you're going back through a dungeon to find items or when you're lost lol. I'll vote random encounters though. More traditional.

For the DQVII remake on 3DS, they changed them from random to visible. Did the same with Lunar back in the day (random on SCD, visible on PSX). A pattern for remakes?

[Retrogamer0001]

I prefer visible enemies that you can avoid, especially if you don't want to suffer through constant random encounters when you're trying to go from place to place.

[Xeogred]

If we're talking turn based only then I actually probably prefer random. It's all too easy to get around enemies in games that have them visible, and even then I'm still one that likes to clear out the maps, but this in turn makes it a pain to grind a bit if you need something.

[MrEco]

For a traditional turn based RPG I prefer random encounters. It just makes everything look cleaner and more interesting. When a bunch of random enemies are walking around in circle patterns or whatever it makes it seem more "video gamey" than it needs to be and breaks any immersion.

[CavZee]

I voted random encounters even though I really don't mind either one, it really just depends on how the game handles it I suppose.

But one little issue I have with visible enemies is that I always feel like I have to kill all of them in the given area before I advance.

[MrPopo]

I think Chrono Trigger did non-random encounters quite well. CT does a good job of crafting encounters that seem natural; monsters were going about their business and you crashed the party, or they are specifically coming after you. But the modern version "monster mills around in random directions bounded by some circle" is pretty lame; I'd rather have random over those.

[pepharytheworm]

Overworld I like random but in dungeons I like able to see the enemy.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I don't have a strong preference either way. Certain styles suit certain games best.

I like the visible enemies when you're going back through a dungeon to find items or when you're lost lol.

This is probably the biggest downside to random encounters - it can make dungeon exploration incredibly frustrating. This is why so many classic RPGs like Phantasy Star II are so damn intolerable without maps, while roaming around a dungeon you hit random encounters so often your heath and items quickly get whittled down to nothing.

EarthBound may have the best RPG battle initiation mechanics. You can see enemy icons onscreen - you can meet them head on, sneak up, or be ambushed. And the best part - extremely easy battles are won automatically.

[isiolia]

I prefer visible enemies. Clear 'em out, and explore, versus rolling dice constantly.

In some, it can mean strategy, like being able to split them up, or at least save cooldowns/resources for stuff you know is going to be there.