Which would you compromise in an RPG? Both are very important to me. Which RPGs do you think have the best in each category?

To me, battle system and story have to go hand in hand with each other. I've played games that had graphics that really suck, but it doesn't bother me much as long as they have a good story at least. But I guess I'd have to choose storyline over battle system, because if there's no point to the story, it's not likely you'll play enough to have fun with the battle system.

To be honest, I prefer character advancement and battle system to be more important. Think FF5. Not much of a storyline, but still great because of the Job System.

It must be well balanced: If the story is neglected, the game becomes arcade. If battle system is neglected, you have an adventure game. Neither of these is bad, but a good roleplaying game is somewhere in the middle.

Well, it's kind of mandatory, RPG (role-playing game) means it has to have a storyline. Battle systems aren't as important as a good story, as I said before.

Ps- I prefer the more up to date Final Fantasies (7,8,9) though I still haven't played 10 yet [img]graemlins/1disgust.gif[/img]

[ 03-22-2003, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: Gangrell ]

A good story can save a poor battle-system, but rarely can a good battle-system save a poor story.

Take, for instance, Icewind Dale (& IWDII). Both are very similar to BG (same engine, close game system), but have little story & character development to speak of. They're OK, but don't compare to the popularity or re-playability of BG.

At the other end of the spectrum, is... well... Lords of Magic, maybe? Anyone played that? Almost zilch storywise, but a fun battle-system. Heroes of Might & Magic is another with little story but good battle-system, but I can't say I enjoy it near as much as BG.

- Imrahil

I would choose the story as the most important, since it´s that that makes you continue playing a game. As Imrahil mentioned "A good story can save a poor battle-system..." unless, of course, the battle-system is REALLY bad but that´s unlikely.

Best RPG story.: BG Saga (especially BG1)

Best battle system: Don´t know

Shouldn't this be in Gen Con? Nitpicking aside, i believe that both the story and the gameplay are equally important. Graphics, sound and everything else can fall by the wayside so long as these two essential features are fully implemented and functional. This is, of course, only for RPGs. Other genres require differnt elements.

Very true. Without a great story, it's not much of an RPG. I think Xenosaga does a very good job with both story and battle system. I don't know if you've played it, but it's such a unique game.

I just wonder why they don't make an RPG that plays more like a 3PS or FPS action game, ya know? I'd be willing to sacrifice literally hours of the length just for a chance to have more realistic action and battle. Turn-based doesn't feel very real. It's interesting and still fun, but not quite the same.
If they could combine the story and concept of an RPG with the movement and gameplay of a 3rd Person Shooter, I'd be in game heaven.

I think fun battle systems and charecter development are more important then deep storyline, but if i had a choice i would have a medicore(sp?) battle system and story.