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RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Wednesday, November 7 2007 18:13 Profile Homepage #48
Wizardry 6 and up have that exact mechanic. I *think* Wizardry 6 predates Realmz, but I'm not sure. They were close.

Chrono Cross has something that approximates it as well, with the ability grid system. I'm sure there are other games as well.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Luck in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Wednesday, November 7 2007 08:53 Profile Homepage #7
In Geneforge 4, luck doesn't add to item drops, and it adds almost nothing to resistances if I remember correctly.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Wednesday, November 7 2007 07:58 Profile Homepage #43
Did Xenogears (like Chrono Cross) allow you to combine light medium and heavy attacks both within one PC's turn, and by switching around among characters? CC didn't really have turns per se -- just stamina and actions -- and that strikes me as pretty unique now that I think about it. Sort of incorporated the very limited choose-your-initiative mechanic from the 7th Saga.

Edit: What was broken about Call Beads? They didn't seem any more broken than the regular alchemy system, anyway.

[ Wednesday, November 07, 2007 07:59: Message edited by: Yama Toman? ]

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Tuesday, November 6 2007 04:21 Profile Homepage #21
Another amusing list might be a list of every ridiculous mini-game or side-game ever put into an RPG.

BoF 4 only lets you have 3 active characters in a battle at once. Being able to switch active and inactive characters in the middle of battle is definitely not unique. BoF 1 did it, and every Dragon Quest game from 4 onwards has given you that chance. (Well, I'm not sure about 8.) Lufia 3 *actually* lets you have 9 active characters in battle at once.

Azuma, can you say what, precisely, is unique about Legend of Dragoon's spellcasting? The Wikipedia entry doesn't make it sound at all unusual. (And transforming in the middle of battle is not uncommon, either.)

There must be other games that tie enemy level to PC level. FF Tactics Advance, for one. I suppose FF8 is unique, though, for its extremely sucktastic draw-junction system.

Super Mario RPG technically allows a player to avoid all damage as well, although it's practically impossible to do it consistently. But that's just an extreme form of a real-time battle element that requires you to time button presses during battle, and that particular mechanic is (alas) all over. For example, I just found out it is in Legend of Dragoon. ^_^

Summoning is so widespread that I had kinda hoped I wouldn't need to list it. I only listed stuff that is relatively uncommon, in say <20% of RPGs out there, but not rare enough to make the list.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Monday, November 5 2007 20:26 Profile Homepage #14
ActRaiser includes both of those activities as well, but yes. :P

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Monday, November 5 2007 18:26 Profile Homepage #12
Whoops, I spoke too soon. The spell system in Rudras is pretty darn neat. The whole game seems great, actually -- I can't believe there was a quality SNES RPG left that I hadn't played. Heh.

I have played Sailor Moon, but I gave up after a half hour -- earlier than for Ranma, but later than for Magic Knight Rayearth. :P

As for PS4 -- I was thinking of it specifically when I commented on unusable combos. In my experience, it was very hard just to pull them off, given the timing requirements. I usually gave up after a half hour of fiddling with macros. (And who needs combos when you have a broken Raja, anyway.)

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Monday, November 5 2007 16:49 Profile Homepage #9
Right -- it's the same way with the games I mentioned. They do use runes, but you don't have to acquire them, you simply have to figure out the order to use them in, which is normally discovered by encountering the spell somewhere in the game. Natuk appears to be the same way. Also, while it is a cool system, from a gameplay perspective it's not really any different from either having all the spells to begin with, or finding them just like in Exile, depending on whether you use the advance information.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Monday, November 5 2007 15:49 Profile Homepage #7
Waving Hands! I didn't think anyone here played that, and good god I can't say enough about it. No other game, be it computer, video, or tabletop, has consumed so much of my life. And there are few others that I can recommend so heartily. Even if it isn't an RPG at all.

The spell system you describe, Drew, sounds similar to several others I've seen, in particular the Dungeon Master series and the NES game Magician (an obscure, but amazingly awesome game).

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Fantastical Thoughts On RPG Game Mechanics in Avernum 4
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Monday, November 5 2007 11:20 Profile Homepage #70
You know those guns-for-food exchange programs? I'm going to start a cash-cow-for-cave-cow exchange program.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
RPGs with Unusual Mechanics in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Monday, November 5 2007 11:15 Profile Homepage #0
Inspired by Synergy's topic in the Avernum 4 forum, I've been trying to put together a list of RPGs that have noticeably unusual mechanics. I don't just mean mechanics that are distinct from your typical RPG, I mean mechanics that are actually unique, or close to unique. Anyway, I'd appreciate any suggestions from you guys reading this. I'm sure there are good candidates I either haven't played or have forgotten about.

Here's a list of mechanics I'm not interested in -- though games using them may be in the minority, they are no longer rare:

- Use of Roguelike Style Dungeons
- Recruitable PCs (Pokemon, etc)
- Class Changing
- Equip-Based Skill Acquisition (FF 6+, etc.)
- Use-Based Skill Improvement (FF 2, Dungeon Master, etc.)
- Spell Memorizing (D&D)
- Armor doesn't reduce damage (D&D)
- Real-Time Gameplay Elements
- Mini-Games or Side Quests of any variety (e.g., fishing; building or populating a town)
- Minor or irrelevant mechanics
- Plot mechanics that have nothing to do with gameplay

Here's the list so far.

RPGS WITH UNUSUAL MECHANICS:

Chrono Trigger -- combo attacks.
I am aware that other RPGs have included combo attacks. CT is the only game I am aware that has actually made them remotely playable.

Geneforge series -- disposable PCs.

Paper Mario series -- simple arithmetic battle system.

Dragon Quest 4 -- forced AI for PCs.

Mega Man Battle Network series -- CCG style character improvement.

Lufia 3 -- the rather complicated 3x3 party grid system.

Chrono Cross -- the ability grid.

Paladin's Quest -- magic depletes HP rather than MP or memorizations.

Secret of the Stars -- continuous & simultaneous use of two separate parties.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Left or Right? in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Monday, November 5 2007 05:55 Profile Homepage #53
"Infinity K ought to be enough for anybody!"

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Fantastical Thoughts On RPG Game Mechanics in Avernum 4
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Sunday, November 4 2007 20:01 Profile Homepage #55
So basically, you are saying you don't want to play an RPG, you want to play a text adventure; albeit one that replaces the typical esoteric puzzles with a lot of repetition of tasks.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Crsytals souls on A3 in The Avernum Trilogy
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Saturday, November 3 2007 15:45 Profile Homepage #7
One major change in A2 is Garzahd's weakness, to anti-demon weapons instead of Mindduel.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
The Sky Is Falling...? in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Saturday, November 3 2007 07:18 Profile Homepage #289
Maybe a mod should lock this topic, to "preserve" the "fine" "discussion."

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Which way does the water swirl? in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Friday, November 2 2007 14:27 Profile Homepage #1
The water twirls for thee.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Thoughts on Custom Titles. in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Friday, November 2 2007 09:21 Profile Homepage #88
Dintiridan FTW
(Iffy FTI)

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
The Sky Is Falling...? in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Friday, November 2 2007 04:37 Profile Homepage #280
FLUFFYKITTENKILLER!

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Fantastical Thoughts On RPG Game Mechanics in Avernum 4
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Friday, November 2 2007 04:32 Profile Homepage #46
I know Synergy mentioned Spiderweb games in his first post, but he knows as well as you and I do that this discussion isn't really about future Spiderweb games. You're right: Avernum is what it is, and it will change and grow but it won't change this much.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Name Choice in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Thursday, November 1 2007 04:41 Profile Homepage #50
Some of them already exist, and legitimately so. Although using "legitimately" to describe, say, spiderweb, seems illegitimate...

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
A5 world in Avernum 4
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Wednesday, October 31 2007 17:56 Profile Homepage #22
Ahonaria... oh my god. Drakey must be peeing himself.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Thoughts on Custom Titles. in General
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Tuesday, October 30 2007 20:09 Profile Homepage #73
quote:
Originally written by Kelandon:

quote:
Originally written by Yama Toman?:

Those are hideous cheesecakes...
Man, you don't even like cheesecake.
That isn't entirely true. It just isn't something that I eat very often, nor is it something that I go shopping for.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Fantastical Thoughts On RPG Game Mechanics in Avernum 4
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Tuesday, October 30 2007 20:07 Profile Homepage #36
I've always hated Nethack. I feel like Aran also plays that, though...

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00
Hero of old spell in Nethergate
Slarty
Raven v. Writing Desk
Member # 261
 written Tuesday, October 30 2007 20:05 Profile Homepage #9
quote:
Originally written by Synergy:

This seems to be the ongoing trend. Instead of having something truly rare and spectacular, we have things becoming more accessible and more nerfed, common, and averaged. I prefer and keep arguing more for the former, with legendary items, super swords, and a couple of super offense/defense spells or wands. That's not necessarily what we are getting, however.
Quoted for truth and agreement.

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Slarty vs. Desk • Desk vs. Slarty • Timeline of Ermarian • G4 Strategy Central
"Making poorly-sourced claims is not the same as determining something."
Posts: 3560 | Registered: Wednesday, November 7 2001 08:00

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