Complaints?

[zoothe]

What exactly in PSO makes it a true RPG? I don't recall any real progression of a story at all. Just little quests that you and a party (if you're online) must complete. Yet none of the quests had a sense of urgency, and they didn't seem to get you any deeper into a plot. Keep in mind, I have only ever played the Offline version, so I know my knowledge is limited. Maybe the Online aspect adds more to the story, I don't know. But the single player version just seemed to be nothing more than hacking and slashing your way through a level just to reach and end boss, kill him, and move on to the next level. Not very RPG is you ask me.<p>Changing the subject just a little: I did just get PSO EpIII and since I had already familiarized myself with PSO to an extent, I must say, it's not all that bad. Still not the kind of PS game I want to be playing for hours on end, but still entertaining.

[Benoit]

<blockquote><i>Originally posted by zoothe</i><p>What exactly in PSO makes it a true RPG?</blockquote><br>The story, and the way it is presented. Not just fed to you, you have to piece it together. Of course, this offends the FF n00bs. God forbid you have to think in an RPG!<br>Also, the gameplay mechanics. I mean the leveling and statistics.<br>Also, you create your own character with its own personality and role-play it. Pure role-playing.<br><blockquote>I don't recall any real progression of a story at all. Just little quests that you and a party (if you're online) must complete. Yet none of the quests had a sense of urgency, and they didn't seem to get you any deeper into a plot. Keep in mind, I have only ever played the Offline version, so I know my knowledge is limited.</blockquote><br>That's what every PSO-hater says who hasn't truly played the game. There is a story, and it's told through Rico's pods, Flowen's messages, and the quests you take at the Hunter's Guild. Piece it together and you have one hell of a story with parts you can still happily wonder and theorize about. Even offline.<br>Online, you have the phantastic quest Seat of the Heart, filled with story/plot and Elly Person! It even features a totally new area, yum! Then you also get some story tidbits from the East Tower and West Tower quests. Some other quests also have some little story in them, like Reach for the Dream.<br><blockquote>But the single player version just seemed to be nothing more than hacking and slashing your way through a level just to reach and end boss, kill him, and move on to the next level.</blockquote><br>It is if you don't play quests and read message pods and talk to the citizens and the Principal.<br><blockquote>Changing the subject just a little: I did just get PSO EpIII and since I had already familiarized myself with PSO to an extent, I must say, it's not all that bad. Still not the kind of PS game I want to be playing for hours on end, but still entertaining.<br></blockquote><br>Khyron!

[Lord Khyron]

Yes Benoit quoted me! He seems like someone who hates PSO because he had to THINK to figure out the plot.<p>heaven forbid a rpg not come outright and tell you what the hell is going on! OMG what a mortal sin!<p>I think he'd be one of the idiots who would be satisfied with PSO if in the intro it said:<p>"Rico is gone. Go and find out about her. We don't care about anything else or any details about Ragol or Pioneer 1. Just find what happened to Rico."<p>Now that is a true Rpg to him because it TELLS YOU WHAT IS GOING ON! OMG!<p>P.S. I bet he says EPISODE 3 has no plot whatsoever because he can't understand CUT SCENES. <p><p>[size=small][Edit by Lord Khyron on [TIME]1081205501[/TIME]][/size]

[Lord Khyron]

While we're at it, Why not throw in this GENERIC FINAL FANTASY PLOT!<p>"Ragol is slowly dying due to the Photon sapping being done by the Evil Black Paper Organization. When you find what happend to Rico, You must infiltrate the ConTrol center Area and stop the evil leader, OLGA FLOW from destroying the planet. Also you must stop Black Paper from conquering the pitiful country called "Hildebearia" because the country "Ruin Monsters" isn't offering aid."<p>P.S. Generic Plot is "World is dying. Group A is destroying it. But two countries fighting will hurt it worse. Go save the world why don't ya."<p><p>[size=small][Edit by Lord Khyron on [TIME]1081205552[/TIME]][/size]

[LaconianShot]

That's what's great about PSO. While very other MMORPG lacks any serious thinking (or serious story, for that matter) PSO makes you theorize and leaves you wondering.<br>...And it doesn't cram melodramatic story down your throat with 40 minutes of pre-rendered cinematics. And Rico doesn't dual Dark Falz, die, and then for no apparent reason, comes back better then ever. She totally *CAUTION,SPOILER* crumbles, like humanity, and is defeated.<p>It makes it more meaningful.<br><p>[size=small][Edit by LaconianShot on [TIME]1081205546[/TIME]][/size]

[zoothe]

I don't like the game because it isn't what *I* consider an RPG to be. I know there are a lot of people that like it and I am not criticizing (nor insulting) them for that. So Khyron, I hope you're not calling me an idiot for voicing my opinion on a board made for that purpose, because that would truly be idiotic.

[Lord Khyron]

Then tell us your definition of a RPG and anyone want to bet it'll be one of the 3 generic FF plots? ^_^<p>I really am curious as to what a RPG is to you. I won't bite, I've got my Nm-2011 to do that too ~.^ LOL!<p>[size=small][Edit by Lord Khyron on [TIME]1081206141[/TIME]][/size]

[zoothe]

What exactly makes you think I'm a fan of Final Fantasy? I have never played a FF game in my life, and have always argued with my best friend (a FF fanatic) about how bad the suck. I love your tendency to assume so much with so very little information. You must just know everything.<p>I'm not going to try to define "RPG" and have you tell me how wrong I am. Like I said originally, I haven't played PSO all that much, nor to it's full potential. This is because it didn't saitsfy my expectaions of an RPG (let alone a Phantasy Star game). But from what you tell me, I can read all these little info pods and understand what has already happened. Oooh, that sounds fun to me! I'd rather progress a story on my own and watch the events unfold on my screen. Ultimately, PSO and the original PS games differ quite dramatically; I like the oringal PS way of going through the game and don't like the way it's to be done in PSO.

[Lord Khyron]

Things unfold in text, not FMV and Ps 2 barely gave you any info either. RPG's should be about thought.<p>I never said I'd say you were wrong, I honestly want to know what your idea of a RPG is and to give a example. ^_^<p>P.S. The true wisest one always keeps what he really knows a secret. How else can he make a living? XD!<p>[size=small][Edit by Lord Khyron on [TIME]1081207002[/TIME]][/size]

[Benoit]

<blockquote>I don't like the game because it isn't what *I* consider an RPG to be.</blockquote> <br>Egocentrism?<br> <blockquote>What exactly makes you think I'm a fan of Final Fantasy? I have never played a FF game in my life, and have always argued with my best friend (a FF fanatic) about how bad the suck. I love your tendency to assume so much with so very little information. You must just know everything.</blockquote> <br>Oh really? Then...<br> <blockquote>But from what you tell me, I can read all these little info pods and understand what has already happened. Oooh, that sounds fun to me! I'd rather progress a story on my own and watch the events unfold on my screen.</blockquote> <br>If that's not Final Fantasy, then it sure as heck bears quite a resemblance to it!<br> <blockquote>Ultimately, PSO and the original PS games differ quite dramatically; I like the oringal PS way of going through the game and don't like the way it's to be done in PSO.</blockquote> <br>So that means you hate PSI, PSII and PSIII? Those games consist of very few events and mostly talking to citizens to get a grasp of the plot. Pods or people, not that much difference.<br> <blockquote>I'm not going to try to define "RPG" and have you tell me how wrong I am.</blockquote> <br>Or maybe it's just because you already know you're wrong.<br> <blockquote>But from what you tell me, I can read all these little info pods and understand what has already happened. Oooh, that sounds fun to me!</blockquote> <br>You're trying to get the debate in favor of you by letting out details. I said that you also have to do quests and talk to people.

[zoothe]

When I try to think of a definition it seems harder to type into words. After reading through these posts, I tend to think that you might be able to summarize PSO vs. PS like this:<p>PSO is to *writing* a book as PS is to *reading* a book. Does that make sense?<p>I like meeting (not creating) a character and helping he or she through the quest that is laid out in front of them. I like the story to unfold through a domino effect: I need the cake so I can visit the Governor so he can help me... and so on. This doesn't mean I need linearity though. Subplots that have nothing to do with the main storyline are cool. A nice diversion and sometimes a way to get additional help. <p>I like a good story. That's why I like PS so much to begin with. That's why I like games like Lunar, Skies of Arcadia, and Breath of Fire. Those games had good stories with interesting characters. The fun factor in these games (for me) was getting to see what happened next, and playing through the quests, killing monsters, and leveling up was how you accomplished that. Read all the posts from people who talk about what the very first game means to them. they all talk about the story or the feel of the game (which I feel is directly related to the story). PSO didn't relay a story to me in the way I wanted or expected. I'm sure the story in PSO is good (since so many people seem to like the game, they can't all be wrong), but it's just not my style of RPG. Don't they even categorize it in a different genre? MMORPG?<p>Completing the old PS games required thought, but I guess a different type of thought than you're talking about.<br><p>[size=small][Edit by zoothe on [TIME]1081208842[/TIME]][/size]

[zoothe]

Benoit, are you actually listening to what I'm saying? Or do you just like insulting people whose opinions differ from yours? All I'm saying is that I like PS1-4, and I don't like PSO. Why? Because PSO is not my kind of game. Quit trying to show me how my opinion is wrong.

[Benoit]

I am listening. And there's such a thing as an EDIT button for adding something shortly after your last post.<br>People bash PSO every day for nonsense reasons. I'm sick and tired of it.<br> <blockquote>I like meeting (not creating) a character and helping he or she through the quest that is laid out in front of them.</blockquote> <br>Those are featured in the Hunter's Guild quests.<br> <blockquote>Subplots that have nothing to do with the main storyline are cool. A nice diversion and sometimes a way to get additional help.</blockquote> µ<br>Quests provide additional subplots.<br> <blockquote>Those games had good stories with interesting characters. The fun factor in these games (for me) was getting to see what happened next, and playing through the quests, killing monsters, and leveling up was how you accomplished that.</blockquote> <br>PSO has these gameplay mechanics too.<br>Interesting characters? Sure. There's Sue, Bernie, Elly Person, Alicia, Rico, Flowen, and others.<br> <blockquote>PSO didn't relay a story to me in the way I wanted or expected.</blockquote> <br>That shouldn't matter when playing a game. If you only played games that would turn out the way you wanted to, it would be very boring.

[zoothe]

You seem to forget that I haven't played PSO all that much. I disliked it so I stopped playing it. All these things you're telling me about the game... a lot of it means nothing to me because I didn't dig that far into it. I'm saying the game sucks, I'm saying I didn't like it... that's to say I don't fault you or anyone else for playing it and/or liking it. It's just not for me. This board was for complaints and I was posting mine, that's all.

[Benoit]

Just admit you didn't give the game a chance. SheWren here at first also didn't like the game, but now she is totally addicted to it and enjoying it more than ever.