Thanks, Rob! I was intentionally trying to be more controversial this time around. As I said in the podcast, though, I think those are great games, but definitely not what I would have assumed would be the next-generation of their predecessors. Indeed, we've seemed to move from real-time with pause to first-person (Oblivion) or third-person (Mass Effect) shooter-style hybrids, again placing action over strategy. What I wish is that these sorts of games could exist along-side modern turn-based RPGs, but I guess that's just not in the cards (at least for now).
What intrigues me is the possibility of a modern ultimate 2D turn-based RPG attempt. We have the triumphant return of 2D fighters and 2D platformers (even if both have pseudo-3D effects and/or use polygonal models, they're still restricted to 2D planes), so it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility (not to mention the return of traditional adventure games in episodic format, puzzle games restricted to 2D, etc.). It might have to be a downloadable game via the various computer or console services, but just imagine the splash something like that would make (at least the first time around) if it were released from a reputable source and really played up the old school connection and was a TRUE representation of the classic CRPG genre. Certainly someone like a Richard Garriott could very easily attach his name to something like that and it would have the Internet wags buzzing, but even the revival of another type of series could do quite well.
*************************** Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
Thanks, Rob! I was intentionally trying to be more controversial this time around. As I said in the podcast, though, I think those are great games, but definitely not what I would have assumed would be the next-generation of their predecessors. Indeed, we've seemed to move from real-time with pause to first-person (Oblivion) or third-person (Mass Effect) shooter-style hybrids, again placing action over strategy. What I wish is that these sorts of games could exist along-side modern turn-based RPGs, but I guess that's just not in the cards (at least for now).
What intrigues me is the possibility of a modern ultimate 2D turn-based RPG attempt. We have the triumphant return of 2D fighters and 2D platformers (even if both have pseudo-3D effects and/or use polygonal models, they're still restricted to 2D planes), so it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility (not to mention the return of traditional adventure games in episodic format, puzzle games restricted to 2D, etc.). It might have to be a downloadable game via the various computer or console services, but just imagine the splash something like that would make (at least the first time around) if it were released from a reputable source and really played up the old school connection and was a TRUE representation of the classic CRPG genre. Certainly someone like a Richard Garriott could very easily attach his name to something like that and it would have the Internet wags buzzing, but even the revival of another type of series could do quite well.
***************************
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.