Offline singleplayer fantasy RPGs that play like MMORPGs

[MrPopo]

Skyrim and Oblivion are both awesome; the vitriol you see is people who fall into the "They changed it, now it sucks" camp. Everyone's favorite Elder Scrolls entry is the first one they played. When I first played Morrowind it really felt like a single player MMO (I had previously played a week of Everquest). There is a lot of exploration in the three most recent Elder Scrolls games with a ton of stuff to discover.

Well I am only basing this on what I've read from RPG forums and such, but from what I've heard, Oblivion and Skyrim are "dumbed down" as they were intended for a larger audience, so they had less customization options and the sort of stuff that pen and paper people are into. I dont know if it's a fact as I havent played these games, but I'll rather have more depth in terms of gameplay/RPG mechanics than prettier graphics. I've only got an Xbox 360 for playing those good looking current generation games anyways

There's a difference between depth and complexity which a lot of people get confused. There were several skills in Morrowind that were removed in Oblivion. Short Blades and Long Blades got combined into Blades, Maces and Axes were combined into Blunt (poor name, but the intent was the way you swing these weapons), Spears were removed, and Enchanting was changed to a Mages Guild service instead of something you could do on your own (but the service was available in Morrowind). Oh, and Medium Armor was removed. In place of these removed skills you got skill perks for hitting certain milestones. Some of these changes hampered people's perception of their ability to RP (my cleric should only be proficient with maces, my rogue should only be proficient with daggers), but the general depth of the game system was unchanged.

Oh and how's Wizardry 8? I think it's has 1st person view, but that game seems to be really legendary among RPG gamers so I feel like I should try it out

The Wizardry series is straight dungeon crawlers that have stuck to a pretty tried and true formula.

[Hobie-wan]

Oh and how's Wizardry 8? I think it's has 1st person view, but that game seems to be really legendary among RPG gamers so I feel like I should try it out

My friend that had played the entire Wizardry series along the way enjoyed it, but as I recall it was a bit dated and not received all that well by those who weren't already familiar with the series. I'm pretty sure it sold poorly and that's why Sir-Tech is no more.

[Ack]

I know you mentioned offline games, but there are a few of the first modern MMORPGs that are still active. Asheron's Call would probably fit your bill, and you can play a couple of weeks for free. It had at the time a very large world, and it is extremely open. You can wander off into the wilderness from the get go...though you will most likely die a horrible death in doing so. It's also an old game for an MMO, coming out around...oh, 1999 or so. It's the game that got me into the genre, too, so it holds a special place in my heart, though I admit nowadays that it isn't much to look at.

And the lack of spears upset me in Oblivion, though I still got around to playing it. Morrowind will always be my favorite, despite its flaws...most likely because it was my first Elder Scrolls game.

[MrPopo]

My friend that had played the entire Wizardry series along the way enjoyed it, but as I recall it was a bit dated and not received all that well by those who weren't already familiar with the series. I'm pretty sure it sold poorly and that's why Sir-Tech is no more.

That was more EA buying them out. But yeah, Wizardry has always stuck to convention, so if you aren't already a fan of the series new entries aren't really going to draw you in.

Morrowind will always be my favorite, despite its flaws...most likely because it was my first Elder Scrolls game.

I'm in the same boat. Your first Elder Scrolls game you experience, but your subsequent ones you start to look out for specific elements you know Bethesda put in, and so some of that magic is gone.

[nightrnr]

I'm always looking for if a game is playable offline. If it's not, I automatically lose interest (the main reason I don't care about Diablo III).

Anyways, I like this topic.
Has the Phantasy Star Online series been mentioned? Kudos to Sega for making a single player option (and a BIG FU to Square-Enix for not offering the same courtesy for FFXI and FFXIV).

Mr Popo,
Your avatar has been dancing to "Gerry the Germ", song 1 (C64 music--> just what I happen to have going right now). It seems to fit so well, but then, maybe it works to a lot of tunes.

[MrPopo]

Mr Popo,
Your avatar has been dancing to "Gerry the Germ", song 1 (C64 music--> just what I happen to have going right now). It seems to fit so well, but then, maybe it works to a lot of tunes.

This is what she's been dancing to: