I think the "perfect" mix would be to have a way to switch between modes, so that you could run the "busywork" encounters in real-time, but slow down to turn-based for the big battles. This was implemented to some degree in Baldur's Gate and NWN, where you could pause the game to give orders, but it still wasn't as "sit back and think" the way the Gold Box games were.
I thought at least one of the BG and NWN games had an option to pause after each turn, or at least after every round. I know I set it to auto-pause after every death and I'm sure that was pretty close to the fully-automated end of the spectrum.
I quite liked the faux-real-time aspect of those games. I felt that it really made you pay attention to the battles, whereas pure turn-based fights can get a bit... casual. The atmosphere just feels a little too relaxed for me.
I think the "perfect" mix would be to have a way to switch between modes, so that you could run the "busywork" encounters in real-time, but slow down to turn-based for the big battles. This was implemented to some degree in Baldur's Gate and NWN, where you could pause the game to give orders, but it still wasn't as "sit back and think" the way the Gold Box games were.
I thought at least one of the BG and NWN games had an option to pause after each turn, or at least after every round. I know I set it to auto-pause after every death and I'm sure that was pretty close to the fully-automated end of the spectrum.
I quite liked the faux-real-time aspect of those games. I felt that it really made you pay attention to the battles, whereas pure turn-based fights can get a bit... casual. The atmosphere just feels a little too relaxed for me.
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The Average Gamer
- Weefz
Editor, The Average Gamer