Tag: cRPG

The Temple of Elemental Evil (Rediscovered)

I have been playing the semi-forgotten party based D&D RPG Temple of Elemental Evil from 2003 with the mods Temple+ (engine fixes) and Circle of Eight (more engine fixes, + extra game content). The reason I mention the mods so early in the article, is that when I played Temple of Elemental Evil the first time, none of these mods existed. And Temple of Elemental Evil was not a stable game, at all, at release. However, it showed serious potential, which these excellent modders saw and started to work on. These mods are now, as I can see it: essential. Temple+ for the numerous fixes, and Circle of Eight for the additional quests, that makes the first part of the game much more enjoyable.

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Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition – Impressions

I’m not a Neverwinter Nights 2 expert, since I never gave the original release much more than about twenty hours or so for the first main campaign. That’s a minuscule amount of time, considering the collection on GoG, and now this Enhanced Edition comes with several expansions, and a whole sea of player made custom adventures. However, I do know why I never finished it. It had camera issues, party-control felt messy, stuttering, questionable story beats, and overall jank that brought the experience down. It has always been my plan to play again one day though, so why not now when the golden opportunity presents itself? With that, the only question remains: has the Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition remedied any of my concerns?

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Lands Of Lore: The Throne of Chaos – Old Hag Terror

It was finally time to play and finish one of the classic RPG blobbers: namely Lands Of Lore – The Throne of Chaos by the legendary Westwood Studios. Now, while it’s certainly an RPG by design, I can’t help feeling that it plays more like an advanced adventure title, than a “true” RPG. This might sound heretical to some, and I don’t blame the people throwing that word my way. However, I felt it lacked story decisions when it comes to the plot, stats to gawk at, and character building when it comes to the combat.

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My Top 10 Solo RPGs on PC

Hello and welcome back! This time we’re tackling my favorite solo RPGs in a new top ten list. Perfect when you are tired of babysitting a bunch of demanding companions, questioning your every choice from level one to level one hundred. In other words: It’s me time, baby!

I usually prefer party based RPGs, fixed or with a custom crew, but once in a while I want to go on an adventure solo, soaking in the atmosphere in my lonesome. It’s just a different feeling to the RPG genre, that often comes with a melancholic vibe, even if the developer never deliberately intended it that way. 

The rules go: You must be solo for the majority of the game. If the game has companions, they must be temporary, locked to certain missions, and not something permanent to the experience. That’s basically it, and if you find the list missing your favorite game, it’s because I haven’t played it, or I plainly just didn’t enjoy it. It’s that simple. To the list!

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My Top 10 RPGs with Fixed Parties on PC

Hello, and welcome to another top ten. The last time, I presented a top ten list over RPGs with a custom-made party. So, a list of RPGs with a fixed party feels like a natural pick for the next. I can’t say that there will be too many surprises on this list, seeing that I’m as much of a pleb as the next guy when it comes to taste.

While I do love my RPGs with a created crew. I can’t deny the allure of a well crafted story with intriguing pre-made companions, as it adds another dimension to roleplaying. That cool and collected lawful good Paladin that you like, might not see too kindly to your murder-hobo ways for loot. It forces a natural choice of character of whom you want to be and accomplish. Who will you align with – the forces of good, or the snakes in the grass?

Just like the first list, if a game isn’t on it, which you think should be, it’s because I haven’t played it, or I just didn’t like it. It’s that simple. The criteria for the games are: The game must feature a party, from at least two and up, and they must be integral to the story. Players also need to retain control over the party members when it comes to battles, and progression. Let’s begin!

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