In the seventh generation of game consoles, gamers have seen the rise of online play, HD graphics, expanded AI, and vast open worlds. Another aspect that has permeated almost every genre of gaming this gen is the level-up system.
Replaying Skyrim after 13 years is a reminder of the progress made in western RPGs over the last decade, but also what's been lost.
RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.
"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!
How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera
And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.
Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.
Pity.
A new Partner Spotlight Sale is now live on the Switch eShop, including Skyrim, lowest price ever for Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, and more.
Can we PLEASE stop leveling up the enemies when YOU level up! If I am a LVL 60 from Borderlands and I go back to the starting level, only to face LVL 60 little skags whats the point??????? Are you not supposed to feel like a badass? Just have sections of the map which has way higher level than you and you cant beat those till you level up. Its not rocket science.
I think that unless you add something worthwhile from a leveling perspective into an action game they are entirely pointless. The Last of Us seemed to understand this and I actually didn't mind it in both Prototype, Infamous (both unlocking powers steadily) and Saints Row 3 although the game itself was pretty weak.
More games need to use similar level up systems to what Skyrim uses.
Great points and very interesting. I agree that with everything else evolving in the gaming world, the leveling up systems could benefit from some innovation as well.