You know that feeling?

The kind of feeling where you wish a time travel device was invented, so you can go back in time and beat the shit out of your past self? Yeah, well I do, because of several things I did/didn't do, regrets suck. The reason for this blog, and the aforementioned feeling is the way i played certain games.

I primarily play role playing games, sandbox games and strategy games. The first genre can have an open world and lots of freedom and choices as well as the option to create a God-like character. The second genre needs freedom and the third genre isn't really important to the point I'm trying to make. Just a couple of months ago, for me, two things were very important when it comes to RPGs.

1. Freedom (open world)
2. Character Development (the ability to create a God like character)

Now freedom and character development, among other things, are very important for RPG games, but my underlying reasons were completely retarded.

Looking back

While a device that allows us to travel through time isn't invented...yet, i can take you back, say, 2 months ago and introduce you to the way i played roleplaying games.

Gallery

                                                                                       (Ignore the quality, I swear it wasn't this bad when i took the shots)

                                                                                                                   Skyrim (Elder Scrolls) the

                                                                                                                         of open world RPGs.

So anyway, Crnobog is a level 60 Nord Mage, a character that utilizes 0 magicka when casting destruction spells, a character that can summon 2 dremora lords, a character that has over a 1.000 in armor rating (I think), 400 health and 390 magicka. A character, that can f*** up any enemy in this game, and walk away scot-free (And no, contrary to what you might be thinking right now this isn't some dick measuring contest or me showing off)

Ohhh look at that, it's a level 60 Nord Mage...so what, I got a level 81 mage, fool!

The catch? (There's always a catch) Crnobog, or rather I, found almost every location, but completed only 5 quests, and even then, only because i wanted to get my hands on Breezehome.

Gallery

So what's wrong with this (these) picture(s) (apart from the quality)?

Roleplaying games are obviously about putting you in the shoes of a character who finds himself/herself in an incredible situation. A situation, that you or I will never find ourselves in (excluding Fallout). So as said, freedom, character development and plot are very important elements for RPG games, but power leveling is NOT. So much time spent casting soul trap on the bodies of dead enemies, collecting and buying soul gems, raising smithing/enchanting/alchemy to a 100. I realized it's not the way RPGs are meant to be played, or at the very least, I didn't enjoy playing them like that.

What happened you ask? Well two things.

1. Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura (My second favorite RPG)
2. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

I've dabbled with Arcanum several years ago, and while i thought the setting and story were amazing and extremely unique I couldn't quite bring myself to finish it. Perhaps the biggest reason is the fact that i deleted and restarted dozens of characters. Why? Because I'm stupid that way. Similar situation with Morrowind.

Well, a month ago, I sat down in front of my PC, started a character on both Arcanum and Morrowind, and swore i would finish the games. Regardless of the mistakes, regardless of the choices and different paths. Regardless of the outcomes and incredible amounts of possibility. And i rediscovered a whole new way of playing roleplaying games, a way that was long lost to me. I wouldn't say i forced myself to play the games in the manner of "power leveling, unique equipment and God like characters be damned!". Rather it was like jumping into a ice cold pool of water, while shocking, it's also extremely refreshing.

Before Arcanum and Morrowind, open world RPGs represented the ability to never start a secondary quest or continue the main quest, instead of choices. They represented the ability to create God like characters, when i should have been worrying about immersing myself within the game, taking things easy so i could enjoy the story, characters, atmosphere and setting.

Conclusion

While power leveling or the goal of creating a God like character, min/maxing etc. is just another form of freedom in RPGs, these are not the objectives. Sure, I'll still probably effectively level my character in Oblivion or Morrowind, but instead of an increase of 5 in any attribute, i might let a 4 slip past or...*gasp* even a 3 (except Endurance, gotta raise that s*** up to a 100 ASAP!).

The point is, don't be a power gamer, there's so much more to games, the good ones at least, and roleplaying games especially. As I said, it is another form of freedom, but don't make that your objective.

Now If you'll excuse me, I have to replay a lot of games.