So while I like the level of detail in the data collection here, I'd like more in the way of conclusions. Perhaps those will only come after the analysis of more recent generations of games to...
So while I like the level of detail in the data collection here, I'd like more in the way of conclusions. Perhaps those will only come after the analysis of more recent generations of games to compare and contrast the different generations, though. I'd certainly be interested as to any useful generalizations regarding what makes for an enjoyable RPG. Would CRPG's have the same sorts of results?
This is an impressively thorough analysis. Characterizing “Time to Freedom” as “not just advancing from one cutscene to the next” seems a bit of a broad definition though. By that metric, one...
This is an impressively thorough analysis.
Characterizing “Time to Freedom” as “not just advancing from one cutscene to the next” seems a bit of a broad definition though. By that metric, one could argue that TTF for Final Fantasy 8 approaches infinity. Seems more like the author is taking about completing the pseudo-tutorial levels.
Phantasy Star I & II are personal favorites. I remember thinking III was meh and IV was just ok. Both games had rather punishing dungeon design, there was a stack of maps made on graph paper...
Phantasy Star I & II are personal favorites. I remember thinking III was meh and IV was just ok. Both games had rather punishing dungeon design, there was a stack of maps made on graph paper sitting on my desk by the time I finished them. That final dungeon for PS1 was a right proper maze, with plenty of false floor traps everywhere waiting to confuse you and drop you back down the massive nine level tower you had to climb. There was no way in hell to solve that dungeon without mapping it yourself, no chance of ever accidentally finding the right way through. They did ship a cheat booklet with the game to help people, but my dad thought it would be funny if I didn't get it, so I didn't even know that book existed. I remember being blown away by the first person dungeon experience, that was certainly one of the earliest games ever made that way.
I also remember paying $89 for PSII. That cartridge needed a lot of extra memory.
So while I like the level of detail in the data collection here, I'd like more in the way of conclusions. Perhaps those will only come after the analysis of more recent generations of games to compare and contrast the different generations, though. I'd certainly be interested as to any useful generalizations regarding what makes for an enjoyable RPG. Would CRPG's have the same sorts of results?
This is an impressively thorough analysis.
Characterizing “Time to Freedom” as “not just advancing from one cutscene to the next” seems a bit of a broad definition though. By that metric, one could argue that TTF for Final Fantasy 8 approaches infinity. Seems more like the author is taking about completing the pseudo-tutorial levels.
Phantasy Star I & II are personal favorites. I remember thinking III was meh and IV was just ok. Both games had rather punishing dungeon design, there was a stack of maps made on graph paper sitting on my desk by the time I finished them. That final dungeon for PS1 was a right proper maze, with plenty of false floor traps everywhere waiting to confuse you and drop you back down the massive nine level tower you had to climb. There was no way in hell to solve that dungeon without mapping it yourself, no chance of ever accidentally finding the right way through. They did ship a cheat booklet with the game to help people, but my dad thought it would be funny if I didn't get it, so I didn't even know that book existed. I remember being blown away by the first person dungeon experience, that was certainly one of the earliest games ever made that way.
I also remember paying $89 for PSII. That cartridge needed a lot of extra memory.