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I play pretty much anything that shows up on the screen. But if I were to define my gaming style, I would say that I am a fan of both Fighting Games and Action RPG’s (MMO or not). I’m particularly a bit of a completionist especially when it comes to those Xbox Fighting Game achievements. I have to remind my friends where they stand: off in the distance behind me, somewhere near that falafel stand. But still, I haven’t found that dream game just yet.
BioWare did a good job of catering to me directly so far with Mass Effect 2 and Dragon’s Age. Mass Effect 2 was easily my favorite of last year, having transferred, figuratively and physically, everything that was engaging in the original Mass Effect, while speeding up the overall pace and flow of the game which now makes the original seem to move in slow-motion. The characters in Mass Effect 2 were more likeable, the conversation was more dynamic, the inherent powers of your chosen class felt more accessible, and even the story’s entertainment value found a way to surpass that of the original Mass Effect.
Even with the aforementioned praise, I’m a “fighter” at heart.
We all know that Mass Effect is a 3rd Person Shooter in structure. So, should I also be satisfied by BioWare’s other title: Dragon’s Age? It has that dynamic story that fluctuates based on your decisions. But I couldn’t help but feel detached from my “silent” in-game character. He uses a hammer, yes; I guess smashing things is a sort of “in-your-face physical”. But he’ll just swing wildly at enemies unless I command him to do otherwise since the game itself is based on “D&D” dice rolling decision based schematics. I’m not saying that’s bad, but I’m still missing my ideal imaginary game.
What comes close?
Other than Guardian Heroes, a Sega Saturn game from the 90′s known by few, I have been keeping myself busy during this year’s game drought with Nexon’s Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO). DFO, one of many free titles from Nexon, is a side scrolling beat-em-up I find myself coming back to. It not only has fast paced and some RPG elements but it also prides itself on its online aspects. Not to mention that DFO is free. You can dungeon crawl with up to 4 players and it tickles my fighting fancy with its player vs player mode. PvP matches can hold from 1 vs. 1 to 4 vs. 4. However I have my gripes about the Gunner class in this mode as I feel they have too much close-quarter precedence over the game’s more physical classes such as Fighters and Slayers (basis sword-wielder class). Oh well, maybe I’m just grumpy. I don’t mean to sound like I’m applying a stereo-type by saying “for a free game” it is much worth taking a look at.
It’s close but still no cigar. I still have my hollow gamer feeling.
I am looking forward to BioWare‘s up-coming right-hooks, Mass Effect 3 and Dragon’s Age 2. Additionally, Nexon is also coming out with another free game called Dragon’s Nest (also shown at e3), a dive into 3D MMO-RPG realm…
I hope they have a brawler class…
Original post: Looking for that Dream Game – My Ideal Action RPG
