Offline RPGs

So, I just accidentally picked a fight with some ultranerds in the Aion forum (they're sensitive, be careful), and it got me thinking. Now, I've been out of the pc gaming scene for quite a while until just recently, but when I look back on what I missed, the only really competent offline rpg that I see is NWN 2. Is this because MMORGs are taking the place of single player rpgs with actual stories and plotlines and what have you? I know I sound biased, but that's because I am. MMORPGS are mostly boring crap that revolve around grinding and loot hoarding and all that. And the thought that these bloated demons in the guise of actual rpg games are pushing out the single player role playing experience of old , and that people are actually paying monthly fees for it like a cellphone or cable bill, is infuriating to me.

So, what do you think? Am I wrong? Are there a whole bunch of games that I've overlooked and that I should be aquiring right now instead of sitting at work and making stupid threads?

So, I just accidentally picked a fight with some ultranerds in the Aion forum (they're sensitive, be careful), and it got me thinking. Now, I've been out of the pc gaming scene for quite a while until just recently, but when I look back on what I missed, the only really competent offline rpg that I see is NWN 2. Is this because MMORGs are taking the place of single player rpgs with actual stories and plotlines and what have you? I know I sound biased, but that's because I am. MMORPGS are mostly boring crap that revolve around grinding and loot hoarding and all that. And the thought that these bloated demons in the guise of actual rpg games are pushing out the single player role playing experience of old , and that people are actually paying monthly fees for it like a cellphone or cable bill, is infuriating to me.

So, what do you think? Am I wrong? Are there a whole bunch of games that I've overlooked and that I should be aquiring right now instead of sitting at work and making stupid threads?

MangaJugs

You are correct, sir. MMORPGs have some redeeming values, but they have never appealed to me. I will take Mass Effect over World of Warcraft any day.

You like Mass Effect? I couldn't tell. :P

You like Mass Effect? I couldn't tell. :P

TheUberKnight

I know, right? Something in my sig/avatar just gives it away... :P ;)

Oooh yeah! The Witcher! I've been meaning to check that out. And, yeah, Dragon Age looks like it's going to be awesome.

You are completely right,MMORPGs suck.Period.

You are completely right,MMORPGs suck.Period.

Delphanius

Nice avatar! Thane is bad*** !

MangaJugs, I totally agree. I can't count how many times I've seen a new RPG announced to be in development, got excited, and then found out its an MMO (or yet another hack'n'slash Diablo clone). There's practically a new MMO announced every couple of weeks now, while decent story-driven SP RPGs have become an increasingly endangered species.

There are a few RPGs on the horizon that might be decent, but only one that is party-based:

Arcania: A Gothic Tale - a new game in the Gothic series but by a new developer, Spellbound.
Risen - by the ex-developer of the Gothic series, Piranha Bytes
Alpha Protocol - a spy thriller RPG set in modern times by Obsidian (makes of NWN2)
Dragon Age: Origins - party-based RPG from Bioware

Big Huge Games were apparently working on some kind of RPG but I think THQ shut them down.

I'd take a solid story-driven single player rpg (hacknslash or otherwise) over an mmorpg any day of the week.. but they do have their merits. As long as you have good people to play with, it doesn't really matter what you're doing, as long as it's fun.denter21

I agree. If you are looking for good single-player RPGs, Daggerfall and Morrowind are both really good. Daggerfall is free online (DON'T get it from the official site. Get it from fileplanet and use UESP Wiki's guide instead) and Morrowind can probably be found at a best buy or maybe even a target. (Chances are that you will find it at bestbuy)

NWN2 is OC is pretty boring, but the expansion Mask of the Betrayer is a must-play. Best RPG in a long, long time.

Mass Effect sucks. Oblivion sucks. Fallout 3 sucks. Dragon Age looks like it's going to suck. Haven't played The Witcher.

MMORPG's are good if you like playing online with a bunch of other people.zomglolcats

But The Witcher is a good single player RPG. Also, hopefully Dragon Age will turn out good.zomglolcats

I don't mmo while gaming (actually I don't MP period) and so I only care about SP RPG.

however, MMORPG is and will continue to be the mainstream of computer gaming world in terms of RPG.

developers and publishers are loving it because it's less likely to be pirated (private servers are few and sparse compared to pirated SP games), and they can make money in various ways: normal subscription, free basic play but fees for special gears or hp potions and etc... it's a better business choice than a SP game.

no game will ever overtake WOW, but that's not the goal of most MMORPG dev. and publishers anyway, as long as the game makes money, who's the biggest gun in the biz isn't the issue.

MMORPG is simply a better business choice: it's more difficult to make a quality SP RPG and actually make a profit (how many Diablo clones we've seen over the years, yet right now Diablo battlechest is the best selling title); it's easier and less laborious to produce a flashy MMORPG and get some quick bucks, even if the game fades quickly.

right now CRPG is really in a sorry state, and we actually get some SP title because of consoles since no MMO there - Bioware's games are all multiplaformers and Obsidian seems to start with Alpha Protocol.

[QUOTE="zomglolcats"]But The Witcher is a good single player RPG. Also, hopefully Dragon Age will turn out good.Dryaxx

while I do like online rpgs (not mmorpgs) I always prefered singleplayer versions of the games, because the focus is on you.

If I have to play RPGs online, I prefer non MMO versions, basicly when an rpg gets too big, there is no unique features about the character you play, and the worlds grow more static.

I liked NWN+NWN2 online alot, because the world was fluid, you could often buy houses, go on quests to get custom tailored weapons, and the people that playied were far more into RPGing then mmo people usually is. It was also alot more friendly (all this ofcourse depends on the erver, and finding good DMs)

The only "MMO" I ever really liked was Ultima Online, mostly for the same reasons, you could get stuff, if you were a dedicated player you would be noticed, and if you were a nice person the world treated you very well.

MMOs are too big for these things, everything is cut and dry, you can not influence the world, there are simply too many players, and too few of them even RP at all.

As a social hack and slash thing MMOs seem to be fine, but as a real RPG? not really.

Even singleplayer RPGs does a better job, mainly because youre the star in those 60+ hours.

I do understand how some people can enjoy an MMORPG tho, bit like a big chatroom, with some extra to do ^^