Which RPG should I get?

[Old n Slow]

I find myself playing Lords of Magic a lot. It is not a true RPG, but has some of that flavor as well as a turn based strategy (like Civ2).

[Imran Siddiqui]

Victor: That's the storyline of Arcanum.

Hmmm...P:T sounds intriguing...storyline?

Basically when is starts up and you wake up on a slab in a mortuary. You have all these scars and tattoos on you. You find out that you keep on dying and awakening afterwards, but when you awake you forget everything you've done in your prior lives. So, your mission in P:T is to finally DIE, go into the deep sleep, and stop this damned reincarnation crap.

[Grumbold]

I'd say your objective is more to find out who you are, what you have done, what has been done to you, why you seem to be immortal and amnesiac and then decide what you are going to do about it. The old amnesia gag is pretty stale in films but in this RPG the who/what/why plot is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.

[Space05us]

...I can sort of explore an environment with random quests, rather than one where I have to check off a laundry list of crap to progress?

hmm... you probably wouldn't like Wizardry 8 then.... it has a fully interactive environment you can explore, and lots of quests that give you exp and money. there are also quests you can go on to get better gear. but it also has the part where you have to 'find the pinkie ring'. also it's a very story oriented game, so most of the quests are a laundry list that have you racing back and forth across the world. I like it though

[Space05us]

so which one did you get??

[Hurricane]

Great thread! I just myself though of getting a RPG (used to play the real RPG:s some 10 years ago, a lot). Being into SP games (no time for MP) I think Morrowind sounds fun. Just one question: having never played computer RPG:s, will it be hard to get into?

[OneFootInTheGrave]

No - Morrowind is easy.

[SuperSneak]

Well, so far I kind of like Dungeon Siege. But the complaints are accurate--it is extremely linear, and character development is so automatic (practically) that some of the fun is taken out. Plus, the spells are rather limited, as you find one or two that work and don't really bother with the rest.
For now, it is perfect, due to my limited time. It is also just fun enough to be somewhat addictive, so I've put in a few long sessions when I could. I think I'm about a quarter of the way through and don't seem to be having too many problems just using two fighters, an archer and a nature mage.
It has a lack of puzzles, which I like, but the play isn't balance that great...I seem to be slightly too strong and some of the challenges are a bit of a cakewalk.
I think (system permitting) that Morrowind or something similar will be my next purchase.
Thanks for all your input...I can check this thread later for ideas.
Keep 'em coming...

BTW, has anyone else here bought Dungeon Siege? I'm on the road to Glitterdelve, battling Yetis and wolves...will I be able to pick up a combat mage soon, or should I have bought the dude way back in Stonebrook?

Late....

[Grumbold]

I played right through to what seems to be the last chapter but by then I was so bored I couldn't be bothered to finish it. If I remember rightly, you get the option to pick up another mage at the end of the glitterdelve, but the game is designed so you can do it with one or eight characters - you just gain levels faster or slower to compensate.

[Space05us]

I played dungeon siege for about 20 minutes at a friends house the other day. it is fun but like you said not much thought is required. I like the fights though they're fun to watch. lots of eye candy, and the dead bodies remain. which can be useful for making sure you're not going backwards. (the wrong way that is)

[Grumbold]

Its easy to tell if you are going the right way. If you go forward more than 10 paces and don't have a fight, you are going into a section you have already done

[loinburger]

Sneak: The reviews I've read for NWN are pretty good, although they all mention linearity in the single player version--its biggest advantage over Morrowind is its multiplayer option.

[Grumbold]

The one player campaign that comes with NWN is not the finest RPG adventure to ever be seen on a computer. The beauty of NWN is that its just the start of what you can do. If you only think you will play the campaign and put the game on the shelf, get Morrowind.

[ravagon]

I had a similar party makeup at that stage of DS. Up through to the Glitterdelve town was a cakewalk. Glitterdelve Mine was a bit harder with all of the tougher Krugs and the rock monsters. Getting to Glacern after exiting the mines was harder still.

Morrowind does have its share of puzzles/quests (which you stated you didn't enjoy very much) but they aren't really that complicated - its more a matter of keeping the enormous number of them in mind and working through those you wish to do.
If in doubt as to whether you'd like it or not I'd suggest trying one or two of Sierra's old QFG series first - which can be found on a number of abandonware sites.

[Pythagoras]

P: T is the best RPG Ive ever played in my life.