Fine Tuning the Shark: The Do’s and Don’ts of Strategy RPGs
On the evolutionary tree of role-playing games strategy RPGs (SRPGs) are akin to the shark, consistent in design and functional in practice with the ability to tear you apart if you’re not careful. First, the easy to understand, board game-like principles lure you in. However, before you can get away the various upgrade, equipment and party systems pull your attention in a myriad of directions while the difficulty ramps up forcing you to face enemies with HPs approaching the size of the national debt. While not for every gamer, strategy RPGs have found their niche with legendary titles such as Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Disgaea. Even the older or lesser-known titles, such as Shining Forces, Vandal Hearts, Gladius and Stella Deus provide conventions that have impacted the genre. The best SRPGs possess mechanics that move the genre forward, though even these cling to some outmoded vestiges that hearken back to earlier games. So here is a wish list of DO’s and DON’Ts that preserve the entertaining aspects of SRPGs without bogging down with the extraneous elements that often turn people away from this amazingly deep genre. (more…)
Posted by frustin under Articles, Community Submitted, Featured
