Opinions anyone?

I'm just curious about what all of you think about the BG technique of displaying the game action using "bird's eye view" (from the top and from a distance), as opposed to the first-hand perspective or much larger pictures from behind the characters (as in Ultima, etc.)? I've always found the BG method (used in some other games) to be the best, only because I have found all attempts to make gameplay as "realistic" (in real time, etc) as possible to be seriously flawed. For example, RPGs that show game action through the eyes of a character, while more realistic as far as what that character would really "see," are problematic in situations like combat, where you are limited to what your monitor captures in front of you and what you might not be hearing from the speakers (say, for example, goblins behind you, but you don't know because your speakers aren't arranged properly or the game isn't in true stereo sound). I don't know what made me think about this, but now I'm curious what you all think.

I agree with all of that. I'd also add that it's nicer to see your character actually swinging a sword and casting a spell than seeing a disembodied hand wave a sword around, or spells come from a void behind you somewhere. It's also easier navigating around things, and not have to refer to a 2d map. Isometric is good .

Agreed indeed, I can't see a sensible alternative when I have to manage my 'usual gang of idiots' about and around.

NOTE: today has been declared silly. no explanations, just wide grins everywhere.