Briareos H on 22/2/2013 at 23:55
I love exploration. Over the course of years, I've realised it's what I like most in games. I'm the kind of person who enjoys role-playing a character in a world that creates a strong sense of freedom and I'm a bit frustrated that there are not many games not only enabling, but actively crafting that kind of experience around the player.
Knowing that I don't have an exhaustive knowledge of all video games, I'm hoping that some of you will be able to give me some pointers towards what I'm looking for. More specifically, first person games in which exploration is central and where combat/puzzles/plot are all present, but secondary.
Off the top of my head, the key features of such games are:
* Open world divided in zones that can only be accessed after unlocking from another zone or after obtaining a special item or ability;
* Items found in key locations, ie. at the end of zones or remote locations that require risk-taking. There are two categories of items: those that act as simple keys or buttons giving access to a new location, and those that improve the character abilites;
* Hidden and nonnecessary locations and items;
* Literal puzzles or some form of problem solving to unlock specific features;
* Plot advancement through logs or research, including minute details only available if you actively search for them;
* Varied environments with attention to detail.
Right now, I can only cite two pure examples:
System Shock 1 and the
Metroid Prime series. Are there more?
There also exist hybrid games on the edge of the genre, that I decided to play like exploration games, although the core is different. For example The Myst series (puzzle/adventure), or the Elder Scrolls series (action/RPG). The Thief games are a good example too, providing bits of the experience in self-contained stories and environments, while remaining a stealth game at the core.
I found an independent game called (
http://www.tecno-base.com/) TECNO: the base that apparently provides such an experience, but from what I read many parts of it are dodgy and it's centered a bit too much on puzzles. Did anyone play this?
Any other recommendations?
Note that I'm specifically looking for first-person games. The Metroidvanias are good examples of 2D exploration/combat, but immersion is at its best for me in a first-person environment.
gnartsch on 23/2/2013 at 00:38
I would recommend 'Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines'
First person &
real 3D rpg adventure. A bit aged, but bloody awesome!
You are a newly converted Vampire and you need to find your place in the world.
- choose your character from various clans
- enhance the various abilities of your character through out the game as you like
- find your individual way on how to achieve the goals: subterfuge or intimidate in conversations or instead use brute force or stealth in order to get in somewhere
- some action&fighting, but mostly more like an adventure
- great locations and perfect music ambient
Follow (
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140415) this thread for gettings the latest inofficial patches.
Introduction: (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmCwrklYfsk)
van HellSing on 23/2/2013 at 00:52
Azrael's Tear
/thread
Nameless Voice on 23/2/2013 at 00:53
A lot of RPGs have exploration elements, even though that's not exactly what you want. You mentioned The Elder Scrolls, and while yes they tend to have lots of things in their world to explore, a lot of the time their worlds are also flat and lacking in interesting locations or small details.
I might suggest the Gothic series. They're RPGs at their core, and generally less open-ended than Elder Scrolls games in terms of plot, but the settings were also much more rich and detailed than the Morrowind (which was their contemporary, roughly). The world is much smaller, yet almost every part of it has something in it, even if it's just a small cave with a goblin and a few pieces of treasure.
STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl also has elements of exploration. There are also mods that make the game world far more alive and interesting (though I haven't got around to replaying the game with them, myself.)
Oddly enough, I'd almost consider the original Half-Life to be something of an exploration game, because while it was an FPS, it tended to focus more on environmental challenges and exploration than pure combat.
I honestly can't think of anything else quite like System Shock 1, though. It had a unique freedom, often leaving you to puzzle out what to do next, and leaving you fairly free to explore most areas on your own. Later games, SS2 included, all followed the trend to shepherd the player onto the correct patch, with clearly given objectives and constant advice as to what to do next, presumably because forcing players to think too much alienated too much of the player base.
june gloom on 23/2/2013 at 01:29
What about Metroid Prime? The three Prime games are all in first person, and I do remember the big shitshow the fandom had when MP1 was first announced.
Angel Dust on 23/2/2013 at 02:35
The recent indie Miasmata definitely scratched that itch for me even if it doesn't quite tick all those boxes you listed. It's pretty much all about exploration and the mapping system is wonderful.
van HellSing on 23/2/2013 at 06:31
Quote Posted by dethtoll
What about Metroid Prime?
He mentioned it as a perfect example in the opening post.
In bold.Slasher on 23/2/2013 at 06:32
I suggest you try a game called Call of Duty: Black Oooooooooooopsssssssssss argh I can't do it.
Far Cry 3 offered some fun exploration, though it lacks one of the key features you mentioned: plot advancement through research. The main plot is advanced by regular on-rail missions.
If you stick to just the missions you will miss the majority of the game world. There's not a ton of depth to extraneous locations, or really, the world in general. But for lite exploration it could easily suck up hours of your time. There's dozens of hidden caves, remote villages, WW2-era bunkers and ancient ruins to check out. Most of these contain trivial items like money, artifacts, or letters from long deceased Japanese soldiers. Radio towers scattered throughout the island get you free weapons though.
Some places are difficult to access through conventional means and it might pay off to seek out a hanglider and a higher elevation. Access might be a matter of jumping puzzles. With ancient ruins and artifacts, it's not uncommon to be able to see where you want to get to but have no idea how to actually get there. The islands aren't safe either; exploration is easier for a well armed player.
june gloom on 23/2/2013 at 06:39
Quote Posted by van HellSing
He mentioned it as a perfect example in the opening post.
In bold.Ordinarily I'd just go "oh, derr, whoops, that'll learn me!" but since it's you who's pointing it out I'll just make up some snarky remark about Steam's very existence ruining your life.
Jason Moyer on 23/2/2013 at 09:31
Quote Posted by Angel Dust
The recent indie
Miasmata definitely scratched that itch for me even if it doesn't quite tick all those boxes you listed. It's pretty much all about exploration and the mapping system is wonderful.
I haven't played a ton of it yet, but I'd second that. I'm kind of surprised it hasn't gotten more love around here, really.
