open ended fantasy rpg?

[JSt0rm]

So I normally don't like rpg's because of the stories and voice acting and linear nature mostly. They remind me of a choose your own adventure book on steroids. What I do like is open ended exploration and I really did enjoy oblivion for that reason (i could actually get into some of the side stuff because it just didn't feel like a choir. I played fallout3 but it just didn't hold my attention like oblivion hence my call for fantasy.

i was thinking about the nwn2 storm of zehir because it is open ended. I wouldn't mind doing something older but I think it would need to be isometric as I hate older 3d render. MMO's are out of the question. I have a girlfriend and she would hate it if i spent half my days trying to be uber.

anyways thank you for the suggestions :beer:

 

[murphy55d]

Baldurs Gate II + Throne of Bhaal + Widescreen mod

 

[dclapps]

I just installed the above ^^, made text small as shit during character creation process.

 

[Kalmah]

You might want to keep a lookout for 'Dragon Age' that Bioware is making. (they made the Baldurs Gate games)
It's suppose to have 6 or 7 different 'origins' that you can choose from that completely alter the game.
6 or 7 playthroughs x number of character classes x different ways of playing those options = win?

 

[Martimus]

Besides Oblivion, The Witcher:Enhanced Edition is probably my favorite RPG. It doesn't have the pointless grinding either, but the side missions aren't as well done as Oblivion (much better main mission though). It isn't as open ended, but more so than many RPG's.

Not sure what else has the open ended gameplay you desire. Crysis is pretty open ended (until the Aliens show up), but is by no means a RPG. Operation Flashpoint is another open ended game, but again is not an RPG. Stalker is very open ended as well, and actually has some RPG elements. Can't think of an RPG that is very open ended other than the ones already mentioned.

 

[dclapps]

I'm playing through Titan Quest for the first time; it's a great game. I loved Diablo 2, and it's the same deal, although the dual-class aspect almost adds too much research for my arcade-type brain. I hear tons of great things about BG2, and that is next on the list.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

If you dont mind older games you can always try Morrowwind/Tribunal/Bloodmoon. They're the games that came before oblivion and plays a lot like it though it is different in some respects. All part of the elder scrolls series so it's a natural step if you have not played it yet.

 

[Zenoth]

Mass Effect

 

[DaveSimmons]

Fallout 3 is easily 50 hours.

Morrowind is a good choice, search here or at ArsTechnica for mods to make the graphics a little less dated, like this:
http://episteme.arstechnica.co...9309975/m/296005768831

 

[JSt0rm]

I did try mass effect but again being story driven it lost my interest. I will check the reviews for dragon age but if its more of that then I probably won't like it. I tried to play the witcher it wasn't the enhanced version but again the beginning was so cheese to me I had to stop.

Stalker was one of my favorites. Seems like not a lot in this category.

 

[coloumb]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Fallout 3 is easily 50 hours.

Morrowind is a good choice, search here or at ArsTechnica for mods to make the graphics a little less dated, like this:
http://episteme.arstechnica.co...9309975/m/296005768831

/agree with Fallout 3 comment. Once you hit 20 - save the game and choose the perk that lets you see all the areas on the map. I thought I had explored nearly all the map only to discover that there were quite a lot of "towns" I had missed. There are also a few mods out that extend the game play as well [pending you want to start over].

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: coloumb

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Fallout 3 is easily 50 hours.

Morrowind is a good choice, search here or at ArsTechnica for mods to make the graphics a little less dated, like this:
http://episteme.arstechnica.co...9309975/m/296005768831

/agree with Fallout 3 comment. Once you hit 20 - save the game and choose the perk that lets you see all the areas on the map. I thought I had explored nearly all the map only to discover that there were quite a lot of "towns" I had missed. There are also a few mods out that extend the game play as well [pending you want to start over].

If you read, the OP doesn't want Fallout 3

Maybe try KOTOR. It is a great RPG with a little open endedness but nothing like Oblivion but hey, nothing is cooler than choosing to be a good or bad Jedi.

 

[GaryJohnson]

Stick Ranger?

 

[s44]

Gothic 2

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
I did try mass effect but again being story driven it lost my interest.

. . . This statement . . . wow . . .we don't have enough story driven RPGs, and we have too many action oriented, Diablo clones.

Mass Effect was a decent game, even with my gripes against it. Since you could beat it in under 12 hours, it probably won't suit your desire to kill time though.

Might be able to load up Civilization IV, Medieval 2 Total War, or Empire Total War later this week though for some serious time killing.

 

[nosfe]

i don't think he'll like Civ and Total War games, based on what games he said he likes/dislikes i'd say those would be way to slow for him

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
Baldurs Gate II + Throne of Bhaal + Widescreen mod

Add Baldurs Gate I and Tales of the Sword Coast to that, apply EasyTuTu to port it to the BG2 engine, apply the Baldurs Gate I NPC project to introduce massive amounts of inter and intra party dialog to make BG1 feel like BG2 and then play the entire series.

 

[Ganeedi]

OP: You might want to try Mount & Blade, a completely open ended RPG with emphasis on realistic action. It seems to meet your criteria. Theres a couple threads on this forum you can dig up to read more about it. Outstanding game. (download the demo and try it out - dont count it out until you try it).

 

[AdamK47]

The World of Warcraft. Do it! I dare ya!

 

[Via]

Perfect time to explore the Gothic Universe.

 

[JSt0rm]

hehe thanks everyone

I have civ4 and I like the early game but end game gets bogged down in minutia.

Maybe I will look into Gothic. Is it ok just to start with the latest one? Gothic 3 or whatever?

I have played mount&blade and it is sweet. I'm thinking about adding some mods to my install but there is no fantasy in the vanilla (not bad I like it that way).

I think I will try bg2+expansions > gothic > nwn2 zehir > ? >profit!

Is zehir ok?

What about that 2 worlds game? Shitty?

p.s. no wow

 

[yepp]

Yep, 2 Worlds is shitty.

 

[Arglebargle]

If you like your fantasy with a twist, there's always Planescape Torment. I enjoyed the stuffing out of it, even if I never did get to the end. I think there is a widescreen mod, though it didn't work for me when I tried it.

Morrowind GOTY with all the additions and some judicious modding is a good suggestion. I played that for years. However, it did dampen my enthusiasm for Oblivion.

 

[MustangSVT]

FFT. Ogre Battle.

really interesting

 

[DeeTees]

Not openended, but it is always worth a return to the roots... Infocom games. Zork, Planet Fall, great games.