Okay, sorry if this has been posted before, but I can't seem to find it so I'm just going to go out on a limb and post it myself.Okay, RPG's tend to have three types of playable characters, from what I see. You either have 1) create and name ALL of your characters 2) You are given a main character and are also given the rest of your team, all of which are already named and a part of the plot or 3) a mixture of both. Some plot characters, some you recruit on your own will.Which do you prefer?I ask because, I personally hate having to be forced to play as some girly blonde guy who is the central plot device, then I am forced to recruit even more annoying characters from there on out. For instance, I hated the cast of Final Fantasy VII. I don't think I liked any of them. But I loved Final Fantasy I, because from the start I pick and name my team. I feel like I have some say over how the game will play out. That's why I always loved RPGs. But with many of the new RPGs I pick up, a lot of the freedom is sacrificed for plot. To me Diablo 2 is a perfect game. Good plot, but I can choose to be Tom the Necromancer or Joe the Barbarian. I don't want to be told "Hey, you're playing as some kid who is really annoying and has an idiotic past that we will force you to partake in.So, let me know what you guys think! Am I alone on this? Or are there others who hate playing as Cloud, Squall, Tidus and other annoying lead characters?
RPG - Create Character or Set Character?
Started by
Guest_cinnamonbob
, Jan 31 2007 08:21 PM
44 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_nowhereman
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Posted 31 January 2007 - 08:56 PM
Well, we all know that when it comes to Final Fantasy characters, it's like playing Russian Roulette. I had so much fun making fun of Tidus' voice and reading his Fashion SWAT page on the Something Awful site.I actually do appreciate it when the game lets you fill in with your own imagination-- the Pokemon games, for example. The only time the game ever puts words in your character's mouth is when Copycat repeats everything you say. Phantasy Star Online goes even further and lets you make your own character.However, the more open-ended it is, the less specific the story can be, and SOME people with no imagination complain about how the character has no personality...
#3
Guest_cinnamonbob
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Posted 31 January 2007 - 11:23 PM
Ah, lack of imagination, never thought of it like that. Excellent point. Yeah, the whole idea of an RPG to me, is being whatever you want. Dungeons and Dragons let you be ANYTHING.Well, we all know that when it comes to Final Fantasy characters, it's like playing Russian Roulette. I had so much fun making fun of Tidus' voice and reading his Fashion SWAT page on the Something Awful site.I actually do appreciate it when the game lets you fill in with your own imagination-- the Pokemon games, for example. The only time the game ever puts words in your character's mouth is when Copycat repeats everything you say. Phantasy Star Online goes even further and lets you make your own character.However, the more open-ended it is, the less specific the story can be, and SOME people with no imagination complain about how the character has no personality...
#4
Guest_FrakAttack
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Posted 01 February 2007 - 06:17 AM
The new generation of RPG gamers seems to want prefab characters with fixed (often indecipherable) story lines and loads of boring cut scenes. FFVII made me start hating RPGs.
#5
Guest_draconite
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Posted 01 February 2007 - 11:23 PM
A mix of both. Created characters are better since they have more variety, and less tedium. However, when just starting out in a game, people need default characters as a guidance of sorts.
#6
Guest_Red Ranger
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Posted 01 February 2007 - 11:43 PM
Set characters, because they could be better integrated into the story than created characters.
#7
Guest_Small mexican Chiwowow
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Posted 02 February 2007 - 06:18 AM
I like prefab characters when the story involving them is good enough (FF VI & VII), otherwise, if the story is bad, it doesn't matter how cool your character looks, either default or edited.
#8
Guest_wymore
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Posted 02 February 2007 - 06:40 AM
You can't have nearly the same story with created characters in my opinion. A Fire Emblem with created characters would just be Advance Wars with swords.
#9
Guest_FrakAttack
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Posted 02 February 2007 - 08:33 AM
The future of RPGs (and many other types of games) will be self-scripting stories which change depending upon what kind of characters you create and the choices you make within the course of the game. The KOTOR games were just a hint of things to come. 
#10
Guest_Small mexican Chiwowow
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Posted 02 February 2007 - 12:19 PM
I know that, and I do hate games that have little changes in their stories and doesn't allow players to explore the game on their own; but every time I think of the other kind of games, I remember poor storylines that change so much that become meaningless (if they weren't yet). That's why I don't like many of new RPGs (not all of them, but many).
#11
Guest_Drognar
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Posted 02 February 2007 - 06:00 PM
I prefer when you have a main char and you gain chars along your quest by actions YOU take. You be able to accumlate as many chars as you feel and switch then with your party whenever you want. thats awesome. I mean who want to gain a char for 1 cave or something and just lose them?!
Edited by Drognar, 02 February 2007 - 06:01 PM.
#12
Guest_cinnamonbob
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Posted 02 February 2007 - 06:19 PM
See, games like Disgaea work in my opinion. You have a set cast (Laharl, Etna, etc) which works great for the story, but the second battle comes, you can use nothing but the characters YOU create. But I feel a lot of RPGs force you to be a character in the game.If I want to be forced to play a character, I'll play an action game. The whole idea of RPG is to be whatever you want. I don't want to be Squall, or Tidus, or Cloud, or whatever that jackass in FFXII is named. If you force me into the role of a young, yet skilled, blonde kid I'm not going to relate. Let me choose who I play as, I might relate.
#13
Guest_crajhee
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Posted 03 February 2007 - 07:51 AM
I like creating characters because it's just creative and makes you like your character more in a personal level.
#14
Guest_Da_Mook
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Posted 04 February 2007 - 06:38 PM
Creating your own characters and recruits. It puts you more into the experience. Also it lets u give people bad names like curses :x
#15
Guest_RisingsolX
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Posted 04 February 2007 - 07:23 PM
IMO, having a created character vs set character is always based off the story. pardon me if i sound redunant but its true.how so? well, take a game like monster hunter or WoW.Now, considering both games allow you to create your own characters, having said characters die wouldnt really have an affect on you. why? cuz the character is an avatar, something that emulates you. it has no history, no intimate connections to other players, no reason for being in that world. its something with almost no face value. the only way the avatar becomes less of an avatar and more of a character is when you start playing the an imagined role (hence roleplaying). also, the amount of hours you put into said character to raise from n00b to elite status allows the player to bond with its character. the hardwork and effort put into it and the rewards reaped is something all rpgers can say is a badge of honor and respect.ex. does anyone know how hard it is to get a crappy greatsword to an iron katana+ in Monster hunter? let me tell you, farming sucks.Now, on contrast, set characters are important especially with the story. why? horrible, bland characters with no motivation or clue of the plot in the rpg makes up for a horrible rpg. but, when you have well developed, evolving characters that go through a variety of trials and tribulations coupled with self-discovery and realization, you find that you become emotional attached to said character (or at least like them enough to use them in battle). players will sympathize with characters that have emotion and evolution. simply said, the characters almost must be human.ex. you know you cried when sephiroth stabbed aeris or when you (in ff tactics) realized that st. ajora was a spy created by the government. its little instances like that that have you realize why you play the game, why you like it so much, and why each and every character has a place in your heart (or battle spot).X
#16
Guest_FrakAttack
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Posted 04 February 2007 - 08:43 PM
I cried in FFVII alright, because I thought the shoddy dialogue, boring cut scenes and incomprehensible storyline would never end. By the time I finished that messed up game I never wanted to play Final Fantasy again. Storylines would be more acceptable if the stories were well written, entertaining and made sense. Hell, the Halo games have better plots and characterizations than most of that Japanese anime nonsense.ex. you know you cried when sephiroth stabbed aeris or when you (in ff tactics) realized that st. ajora was a spy created by the government. its little instances like that that have you realize why you play the game, why you like it so much, and why each and every character has a place in your heart (or battle spot).
#17
Guest_tccool
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Posted 05 February 2007 - 03:10 AM
the kind were you make your own makes it a customizable game, and everyone loves them!!
#18
Guest_Ark Angel
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Posted 05 February 2007 - 03:14 AM
i go set chars all the waycause if i get a game save, then i wont get emo about how i cant make the char to my liking agin
#19
Guest_cinnamonbob
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Posted 05 February 2007 - 07:06 PM
I'm going to have to argue this one. To say it would be more sad to have a set character die than a "faceless" character is a little flimsy. You'll still feel the pain if they die after all that leveling up regardless of face or no face. Besides, they die and return. So bad example. As for Aeris dying... I LOVED IT. BECAUSE I HATED HER. HATED!! She dies, I get happy. See how strong I feel about her? HATED HER! Had she been a faceless character I created, and it died... THEN, I would be sad. Disgaea, for example. When ever the character named after me died, I got sad. Granted, I just revived myself and fought again. But I felt more sadness for that then I would ever feel for Cloud, Aeris, Squall, etc dying. I WANTED them to die. Because I hated them and hated having them in my crew.So, see, a character having a face doesn't mean automatic "feelings of love" towards a character. I will agree, a storyline will always be stronger if you have set characters, to show various emotions and feelings and plot devices with said character. But that's IF you care about said plotline and said character. I've played many games that I love, but hated the storyline. Most of them action. But, too many RPG's rely too much on story and less on gameplay that it gets irritating. I don't want to watch four hours of cutscenese to learn the history, future, and present of a character I HATE.Disgaea to me, was a fair balance. My only complaint was, every game with cutscenes should have a button to easily skip the entire thing. Too many RPG's require you to go through the entire story. Whether you want to or not. But with Disgaea, you had main characters, but in all truth, except for the first bit of the game, you NEVER have to play the main characters if you don't want to. You can create an army of "faceless" soldiers with names you pick (Bob the Pirate) and fight with only them. That's what I hate. RPG is all about being what you want to be. Not being forced to play some kid who is amazingly good at fighting, whose mother is dead, high pitched voice, and has whispy hair. I'm so tired of being a kid in these games. Give me an aged, experienced warrior.INow, considering both games allow you to create your own characters, having said characters die wouldnt really have an affect on you. why? cuz the character is an avatar, something that emulates you. it has no history, no intimate connections to other players, no reason for being in that world. its something with almost no face value. the only way the avatar becomes less of an avatar and more of a character is when you start playing the an imagined role (hence roleplaying). also, the amount of hours you put into said character to raise from n00b to elite status allows the player to bond with its character. the hardwork and effort put into it and the rewards reaped is something all rpgers can say is a badge of honor and respect.Now, on contrast, set characters are important especially with the story. why? horrible, bland characters with no motivation or clue of the plot in the rpg makes up for a horrible rpg. but, when you have well developed, evolving characters that go through a variety of trials and tribulations coupled with self-discovery and realization, you find that you become emotional attached to said character (or at least like them enough to use them in battle). players will sympathize with characters that have emotion and evolution. simply said, the characters almost must be human.ex. you know you cried when sephiroth stabbed aeris or when you (in ff tactics) realized that st. ajora was a spy created by the government. its little instances like that that have you realize why you play the game, why you like it so much, and why each and every character has a place in your heart (or battle spot).
Edited by cinnamonbob, 05 February 2007 - 07:07 PM.
#20
Guest_green ninja n
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Posted 06 February 2007 - 03:45 AM
cinnamonbob you're a man after my own heart. I hated that chick too. I laughed my a$$ off when she died. FFVII can suck a fart out of my a$$ I hate that game.Cloud's hairstyle makes him look like he lost a fight with a vacum cleaner.I'm all about making your own character, that's what RPG's are about, HELLO Role Playing GameBy definition you should have to MAKE your own character.It eliminates that esential quality that emerses you into the story. The only way set characters works is if they are NPC's and not the main character. If they are well writen then they work but every Playstation Final Fantasy was writen horribly. I didn't care about any of the characters. FFVIII was the only one I kind of liked. Selphie sucked and so did Quistis actually all of the girls sucked. What's with the girl chracters they are so weak and only good for curing you. By giving us pregenerated characters we might as well be watching a movie.And I'm sorry but I do NOT want to watch or play anything where the main character wears leather lederhosen and has the exact same hair style as Squalland what's with Waka his hair looks like Camron Diaz in "There's Something About Mary" when she had the "styling gel" in her hair. And his weapon was a glorified soccer ball how homo is that? The best thing about FFX was Auron he rocked. Why? Because he was an experienced warrior that didn't look like a gay bob. It's really too bad that people need to be spoon fed imagination. There was a time when you had to THINK FOR YOURSELF!!!More people should play Dungeons and Dragons where you have little to NO visual aids other than your own imagination.
#21
Guest_cinnamonbob
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Posted 06 February 2007 - 08:28 PM
THANK YOU! Someone who hates FF PS games as much as I do! I loved the originals... but ever since 7, i hate them. Auron is the ONLY FF character in years that was awesome. I'm tired of child prodigies fighting better than experienced warriors. I played that game already, it was called Zelda... but at least that game was good. Have you seen the blonde girlboy we have for XII? He's wearing a MIDRIFF VEST!!! http://images.amazon...01.LZZZZZZZ.jpghttp://images.google...a...iff&spell=1http://en.wikipedia..../Image:Vaan.jpgGAH!I was watching my friends play it (as they marvel at the graphics, fall in love with the girlboys, and as I sit there holding back my own vomit), I watched for one hour. I saw maybe 20 minutes of actual game play. At one point, we had 5 minutes of movie, then finally it gave them a chance to play, they walked forward five steps and ANOTHER MOVIE STARTED!!!! If I wanted to play a game, let me play a game. If I wanted to watch a movie, I'd watch one that doesn't suck like the stories in the latest FF games!Too many people think you need a main character with a "in depth" story. Because it gives emotion to the story. What? An orphan kid who saves the world? Wow... so much depth. Just make the story around the hero good enough taht you can be whatever you want. A 60 year old soldier, a young sexy warrior girl, or even that girlboy with blonde hair, if you so CHOOSE to be him. BAH!Taking all the fun out of Role Playing.cinnamonbob you're a man after my own heart. I hated that chick too. I laughed my a$$ off when she died. FFVII can suck a fart out of my a$$ I hate that game.Cloud's hairstyle makes him look like he lost a fight with a vacum cleaner.I'm all about making your own character, that's what RPG's are about, HELLO Role Playing GameBy definition you should have to MAKE your own character.It eliminates that esential quality that emerses you into the story. The only way set characters works is if they are NPC's and not the main character. If they are well writen then they work but every Playstation Final Fantasy was writen horribly. I didn't care about any of the characters. FFVIII was the only one I kind of liked. Selphie sucked and so did Quistis actually all of the girls sucked. What's with the girl chracters they are so weak and only good for curing you. By giving us pregenerated characters we might as well be watching a movie.And I'm sorry but I do NOT want to watch or play anything where the main character wears leather lederhosen and has the exact same hair style as Squalland what's with Waka his hair looks like Camron Diaz in "There's Something About Mary" when she had the "styling gel" in her hair. And his weapon was a glorified soccer ball how homo is that? The best thing about FFX was Auron he rocked. Why? Because he was an experienced warrior that didn't look like a gay bob. It's really too bad that people need to be spoon fed imagination. There was a time when you had to THINK FOR YOURSELF!!!More people should play Dungeons and Dragons where you have little to NO visual aids other than your own imagination.
#22
Guest_franklynn27
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Posted 10 February 2007 - 03:20 AM
i always like to customize my characters, created or not. however, different game types call for different setups. WoW (i know it's not a console game, just let me use it for an example) wouldn't be fun at all with set characters. i even think it is the type of game that needs more customization options. now, games like ffx really needed to have set characters because they used actors voices and had lots of storyline and dialogue. i mean, it would be a whole different story if you created the wakka character as some female viking (yah?) i absolutely loathe champions of norrath's characters because even though they are created you get one voice set that gives you no relevent information and lacks any sense of wit or humor. so, i guess it all depends on the dialogue.
#23
Guest_jewellfool
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Posted 10 February 2007 - 05:31 AM
Personally, I like my RPG's to give me a set pool of characters, then allowing me the option of naming the character that I play as. If a game is going to give me a lot of choices and such, I want to have a huge depth and wide variety at the choices that the game gives me. Such as hairstyle, clothes, weapon...even my own stats. I don't know of many games that (that I have played) that allow such customization, but it certainly adds a level of immersion to the game when you know that the character you are playing as is truly your character.
Edited by jewellfool, 10 February 2007 - 05:34 AM.
#24
the_rac3
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Posted 10 February 2007 - 12:39 PM
Well, I like set characters because then it becomes an interesting story which is more bookish. On choosing characters, you are more decisive over what you get, and if you aren't as imaginative, then the story line becomes slightly less interesting. I personally love FF7, but if the characters were completely made up, it wouldn't have been the same. The character conflict would be entirely different taking away from the story line
#25
Guest_darkest_villain
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Posted 10 February 2007 - 05:45 PM
i abdore making my own characters. I love haveing mine look cooler than some girly looking dude or a weird looking girl. (thats why i buy the WWE games, you can make your own peeps in it lol.)
