It’s tricky: they were probably relatively bigger, because the computer market was much smaller than what is my understanding of the American computer market then, and because the first Wizardry trilogy objectively got remade and remade into hundreds of games, spawning pretty much a whole genre. But it’s just understanding, and not backed by any numbers — I don’t think we dispose of any, sadly.
Some aspects of modern JRPG can be tentatively explained by looking at those early CRPGs, like the ever-present grind, be it for levels or money, or the strong divide between narrative and gameplay sequences (if there is even a narrative).
Well, Dragon Quest is certainly bigger, but Wizardry was big and we just didn’t see a lot of the “clones” or “sequels” make it to the US. One that did is on PS2 and is very good…Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land.
The guys who did those Wizardry later games lost the rights (or were fired? I don’t recall) and they proceeded to create their own franchise, Elminage, who has taken pretty much the exact same formulas as their Wizardry games.
A couple were localized, for PC strangely (they were PSP and DS games in my souvenir), but not the best ones sadly. Elminage Original is pretty good though — but probably not good enough to be played not on a commute or in bed.
I think the last Wizardry game was some free to play mobile horror, and it spawned in a broken, cynical version on Steam:
I’ll pick up an origin access subscription and try that Jedi souls game.
Hey, stop derailing the thread.
I’m rerailing the thread actually, deal with it! ꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡
On both topics, I’ll be playing some Bard’s Tale IV this weekend.
I also intend to give The Elder Scrolls Online a try, though I’m braced for disappointment. A friend and I were pining for Guild Wars 1 the other day (they always had such great holiday celebrations, so we particularly miss that game this time of year) and were casting about for something to scratch that itch. I doubt strongly TESO will do it, but perhaps it has merits of its own.
Let’s see… I should play a bit of American Truck Simulator, maybe some Code Vein, and also Astral Chain. I also hope I can play my keyboard this weekend (I haven’t made music in a while), but we’ll see.
@vinraith I have to say TESO is quite enjoyable. You don’t need to sub to it but if you do you get the endless crafting bag. One way to use that is to subscribe for a month and fill it full of crap. Then unsubscribe - when you craft, items will be pulled out of the bag, you just can’t put more things in.
It’s a very friendly solo game and works well for groups too. Unlike when it was first released, you can go anywhere and do anything from level 1. And I found the community is helpful.
I have been getting sucked into Pathfinder: Kingmaker the last day or so, but I’ve been creating characters over and over and doing the start of the game. Eventually I will have to pick one and buckle down and play him. So far I like the Kineticist best with the Sylvan Sorcerer coming in a close second.
I also want to get back to Disco Elysium since I’m halfway(?) through that.
My backlog continues to grow and my wife has just made it worse by getting me a Switch Lite for my birthday this week. So guess I’ll be playing Dragon Quest XI.
If that doesn’t completely suck up my time, some more The Outer Worlds. I’d love to get back to AC: Syndicate and perhaps start up Elex or one of the other dozens of games on my backlog.
Would have been Diablo 3 but I didn’t realize the latest season ended this weekend. Oh well.
Don’t look for cool mods that add PnP classes and mods to the game. Especially not Eldritch Heritage! It will suck you in!
This weekend I predict Pokémon Sword, Red Dead Redemption 2, Command: Modern Operations, and Thrill of the Fight on Quest.
Ha! I guess Dad/Mum was a keen but unsuccessful player in their youth!
Probably lots of Pokemon.
For me, lots of Lord of the Rings Online (I’m back in a big way) and more Strike Fighters 2!
rei
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Maybe they’re training considerate BitTorrent pirates?
Probably will continue with The Outer Worlds and/or one of the last two AC games. I’m farther along in Origins than Odyssey, but Kassandra is such a great character I want to continue with her.
Speaking of AC Origins, though, did anyone who played it ever get very far with chariot racing?
Pokémon Shield. - I’m too freaking old for this.
Jedi Fallen Order - Suck at these games.
Death Stranding - What the hell.
Various board games.
Planetfall.
I won’t say I’ve mastered them (because mastery of any single faction in this game will take some considerable time) but I am very comfortable with Syndicate, and getting there with Vanguard.
That leaves Dvar, Kir’ko, Assembly and Amazon to get used to, the last especially I find challenging.
