Best RPG for an RPG newb?

I have not played any RPG since Pokemon on game boy. That was the only one - I was always interested in action/shooters. I'm getting my new pc in a couple weeks, so I was wondering if there is an RPG that is somewhat ewbie-friendly. I don't think I would buy a game with the turn-based idea, i guess it would have to be action RPG. ES4 Oblivion has really interested me and it looks like it has a feature that tells you your prevous quests and what you can do next etc.... There's no demo unfortunately.

What's a good RPG?

Knights of the Old Republic

You can get it pretty cheap now...if you can actually find it. The reason I mention that game is because the combat has more of an action feel than most PC RPGs, and it has some character customization, but not an overwhelming amount by any means. (It is set in the Star Wars universe, in case you somehow don't know that already.) However, there is also quite a bit of text dialogue.

Definantly try Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion or any one of the previous games in the series. Also try Star Wars Knights of the Old Republice 1 or 2. All these games are very simple and still provide good gameplay with good graphics.PieCrusher

How is Oblivion too complex for someone new to RPGs? It is one of the simplest RPG games on the market, especially compared to TES3.

For a someone new to RPGs, I'd suggest a game like Titan Quest if you're looking for a more action-oriented/hack & slash RPG or (as previously mentioned) KOTOR for a more "traditional" RPG.

Ya kotor looks like a good game even if I never watched star wars..... I think I might give Oblivion a whirl when the time is right. I played a final fantasy game at my friends house and hatied turn-based ever since.gotcha455

First of all go watch star wars episodes 4-6 (1-3 are optional). Then go play Diablo II or Titan Quest.

Oblivion was pretty much designed to appeal to players who have never played an RPG before (who else could enjoy it? :P).

...but seriously, you'll probably love it.

I'd go with TQ/IT or Oblivion goty. Both are well made and don't take long to get into. They are also fairly new games, so you wont have to be playing games with archaic graphics. After those 2 games I'd recommend deeper RPGs like KOTOR 1,2, VTMB and NWN2.

My first RPGs started simple too. First it was FF7 on my PS, then my friend got me into BG1 and Fallout2. After that I've been a fan of RPG consistently =P.

My first instinct based on your first post was Kotor, and apparently everyone else thinks so too. It is not an RPG, but really an amazing story driven by RPG elements. Now for some games 5-10 years back, FF7 was that game 10 years ago, and Diablo 2 was hard to put down, RPG or not.

Obvlivion, im sorry, I spent 1 hour on with my new computer and was bored.

And I heard the witcher is the best action RPG since Diablo 2, I am excited to try that out soon.

My first instinct based on your first post was Kotor, and apparently everyone else thinks so too. It is not an RPG, but really an amazing story driven by RPG elements. Now for some games 5-10 years back, FF7 was that game 10 years ago, and Diablo 2 was hard to put down, RPG or not.

Obvlivion, im sorry, I spent 1 hour on with my new computer and was bored.

And I heard the witcher is the best action RPG since Diablo 2, I am excited to try that out soon.

jdog8888888

How is KOTOR not an RPG?

I think the best start would be something like Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines or The Witcher. Both are utterly brilliant RPGs, but they both serve excellently as training RPGs.

Both games have very light item development (your items will change over the game a little, but in a basic and simple way, with little in the way of choice), and both games have pretty easy to understand skills/character development. Neither game has complicated or confusing rules, either.

That they're both moderately linear means they aren't ever going to feel overwhelming. They both also have easy real-time combat

There are many other great RPGs, but many of them have difficult to get combat, or obscure rules or rulebooks thicker than your wrist.

If you want to take another route, you could try something like Diablo 2. It's focused entirely on character development rather than plot - it's a mindless hack n slasher, but there's a ton of character building through skill trees and almost limitless randomisation on items.

To avoid confusion, KOTOR (Knights of the Old Republic) is a RPG. Whoever said that it's not, just forget what he said.

I think KOTOR, The Witcher and Oblivion are worth checking out. After playing those games you could try a traditional RPG, like Neverwinter Nights 2.

If you've got a new computer you could also try The Witcher. The story is really good - if a bit on the European side - and the gameplay is not too complex for someone who's new to the genre - it also has an Oblivion-style feature of tracking quests down and literally pointing you out what to do next, where to go and who to talk to -, it's chapter based, so you don't have a huge world to wander and get lost in - you explore little pieces of it at a time (Oblivion can be a little puzzling in the beginning with its massive environment) and the graphics are really good, very artistic, maybe a bit too artistic, getting to be downright picturesque at times. But that's not a bad thing.

Also, if you say you've played a lot of action/FPS titles Bloodlines would be a good choice, were it not blighted by a great number of technical problems (they can be overcome with the patches that the community has developed over the years, but searching out for patches on the Internet and trying to get a game work right is not a very good start for someone who just wanna get into the RPG genre)

Get Oblivion for an action RPG. Its an excellent game, despite whatever hate you read here. It's simple to get into, but has lots of customization options, and can still feel like an FPS. KotOR is good if it's your thing, but its more a turn-based game disguised as a fluid action adventure. It's also pretty simple.

Knights of the Old Republic, Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines or Deus Ex (FPS/RPG hybrid).

Don't waste your time with Oblivion. It is completely broken and requires modding to make it feel like an RPG.foxhound_fox

People keep saying Oblivion, thats wrong. Oblivion is so open ended/the world so large I think its very easy for a totaly newbie to get lost and frustrated. Remember he needs a good game for a beginner not just a good game. I would not start him out on Oblivion. You start him out with that it will be his first and possibly last RPG.

Instead, he should stay with a very streightforward LINIER GAME. Any game that had a start, middle, and a end, set upon apath he cannot stray off.

My suggestion is FABLE. Its not as deep or complicated as some games (though its deeper than Titan Quest) and its fun. I am a hardcore DnD player and even I enjoyed it, I am actually looking forward to FABLE 2.

Start with FABLE then move yourself up.

Try Diablo 1, Diablo 2 and Diablo 2: Lords of Destruction... Personally i like Dungeon Siege 2: Broken Worlds...

After getting some experience in RPG's, try getting some classics like Fallout, Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights. You can find those on e-bay for a very good price, and they are very good games.

After those "classics" you can move on to some new blood... try Oblivion later because its full of errors i think. Neverwinter Nights 2 is a pretty damn good game. Fable is older but it is still good also. After that you'll have your own preferences in RPG's.

People keep saying Oblivion, thats wrong. Oblivion is so open ended/the world so large I think its very easy for a totaly newbie to get lost and frustrated. Remember he needs a good game for a beginner not just a good game. I would not start him out on Oblivion. You start him out with that it will be his first and possibly last RPG.

mmarsh1972

Oblivion is good for a beginner and that's why people are recommending it. I doubt that anyone can get lost in Oblivion when there's auto travel and an arrow sticking where you have to go.

[QUOTE="mmarsh1972"]

People keep saying Oblivion, thats wrong. Oblivion is so open ended/the world so large I think its very easy for a totaly newbie to get lost and frustrated. Remember he needs a good game for a beginner not just a good game. I would not start him out on Oblivion. You start him out with that it will be his first and possibly last RPG.

RK-Mara

Oblivion is good for a beginner and that's why people are recommending it. I doubt that anyone can get lost in Oblivion when there's auto travel and an arrow sticking where you have to go.

I know it's kind of late to be in this topic as almost everything has been said but I agree with you Mara.

Oblivion and Fable are the RPG lites that would be perfect to start out with. they are both fairly new and everything is straight forward with them. you wont get lost in Oblivion because there's maps, journals, arrows, huds and markers always telling you where to go.

Fable is so linear that you should have no problem.

After that Kotor 1 and 2, Jade Empire and sticking to fighter classes in Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 should be your next step... and if you enjoy those then pick up Vampire, Deus Ex and all the other ones mentioned

Oblivion is the best way to start playing RPGs. RK-Mara

Thanks for all of the input. I have decided to go with Oblivion. It is the only RPG that has really excited me. KOTOR is out because of the turn-based system.... It may seem I'm limiting myself but there are plenty of games out there, I do best with Action/Shooter & FPS. A friend of mine knows the games I like and reccomended giving it a shot.

BTw... I played Fable on Xbox for a few mins a while back.... Definitely something I might look into on PC.

[QUOTE="RK-Mara"]Oblivion is the best way to start playing RPGs. foxhound_fox

Too complex games only scare beginners away. Oblivion is a good title, for a beginner. After loving Oblivion he will start hungering for more and better. *evil laugh*

Thanks for all of the input. I have decided to go with Oblivion. It is the only RPG that has really excited me. KOTOR is out because of the turn-based system.... It may seem I'm limiting myself but there are plenty of games out there, I do best with Action/Shooter & FPS. A friend of mine knows the games I like and reccomended giving it a shot.

BTw... I played Fable on Xbox for a few mins a while back.... Definitely something I might look into on PC.

gotcha455

Good thing you chose Oblivion because it's basicaly a FPS with swords, you will find plenty to like in it, like: arrow which tells you where to go, very basic dialogue options, level scaling (so you don't run into hard mobs, which could get your frustrated), simple quests, no choices and a free roaming world with lots of stuff to be trashed.

If after oblivion you will feel empty, tryout Fallout 1 and 2 :) (although that doesn't happen to FPS players often)

[QUOTE="jdog8888888"]

My first instinct based on your first post was Kotor, and apparently everyone else thinks so too. It is not an RPG, but really an amazing story driven by RPG elements. Now for some games 5-10 years back, FF7 was that game 10 years ago, and Diablo 2 was hard to put down, RPG or not.

Obvlivion, im sorry, I spent 1 hour on with my new computer and was bored.

And I heard the witcher is the best action RPG since Diablo 2, I am excited to try that out soon.

SpaceMoose

How is KOTOR not an RPG?

I was making a point, Kotor does not feel like an RPG, but the RPG engine runs in the backround. It is immersive and feels like an adventure game. Having a very special story makes this game a sure winner.

Thanks for all of the input. I have decided to go with Oblivion. It is the only RPG that has really excited me. KOTOR is out because of the turn-based system.... It may seem I'm limiting myself but there are plenty of games out there, I do best with Action/Shooter & FPS. A friend of mine knows the games I like and reccomended giving it a shot.

BTw... I played Fable on Xbox for a few mins a while back.... Definitely something I might look into on PC.

gotcha455

Thanks for all of the input. I have decided to go with Oblivion. It is the only RPG that has really excited me. KOTOR is out because of the turn-based system.... It may seem I'm limiting myself but there are plenty of games out there, I do best with Action/Shooter & FPS. A friend of mine knows the games I like and reccomended giving it a shot.

BTw... I played Fable on Xbox for a few mins a while back.... Definitely something I might look into on PC.

gotcha455

what people have said about KOTOR being turn based is very misleading. While it techiically is turn based, it is only barely. You set up your attacks (you can put up to 4 in a row i believe) and then your character does these attacks. Its turn based because you arent controlling every motion and attack. It is still very worthwhile. I personally dont like JRPGs that typically have turn based combat, but KOTOR is easily one of my favorite games of all time.

Dungeon Siege it is a very easy game to get to grips with very hack and slash as well, not much dealing with annoying stats as well. Terrible story though just concentrate on hacking and slashing

Too complex games only scare beginners away. Oblivion is a good title, for a beginner. After loving Oblivion he will start hungering for more and better. *evil laugh*

RK-Mara

I realize that the OP has made his choice and that the debate is over, but RK-Mara, what the heck are you talking about? Since when? Seriously, plenty of gamers have cut their RPG teeth on BGII,PS:T, Morrowind, and plenty of more "complex" RPGs. I can't say I've ever heard of someone being scared off RPGs by classic titles like these ... honestly, can you?

I found Oblivion to be dim-witted and boring. Where's the depth? Where's the sense of scope? Honestly, if that were my first experience in RPGs, THAT would have scared me off.

I know the OP is moving forward with Oblivion--good luck with that--but I'm 100% with foxhound_fox on this one.