Turn-Based or Action RPG?

[Red XIV]

The issue was recently brought up in the FFXII forum. I wanted to see what you guys have to say on the matter.

Turn-Based or Action RPGs?

Personally, I like turn-based better. In turn-based games, you have time to think things through, some time to relax and watch what you have done, etc. Plus, in most turn-based RPGs, you have the "classic" world map, where you walk about and level up. It is calm and easy to understand...Classic. Everything is organized better and makes more sense. You can control your ENTIRE party, without having to use things like "Gambit" or "Tactics". Lastly, this is an opinion, I don't like the storylines of most Action-RPGs I've played. I know that doesn't make sense...but, from the ones I've played...they weren't too compelling...Most are sci-fi (from what I've played) like Star Ocean (blah!)...well, whatever...

But, lately...Action RPGs have been getting bigger. I mean, our FF is becoming an Action RPG series...hah...not good...not good at all...

Turn Base easily, I think the only good Action RPG would be star ocean... all the rest of them arn't that good. FF should stay with the Turn Base system, it is easier to understand, and more strategy involved in a turn base.

[Taco]

I think either/or is good.

I feel that I would be more comfortable with the Final Fantasy series staying with its roots, as per that's the kind of experience I'm used to getting out of it, now; an action RPG styled FF wouldn't feel right, somehow.

However, there are several action RPG's I can think of that were pretty damn good, such as the Zelda series (it's considered action/RPG, after all, Or adventure/RPG) and also the Elder Scrolls Series (Morrowind rocked my ass for 2 years... and I could still go back and enjoy that game. Daggerfall was pretty cool, too.) Unless you meant something different by action RPG's...

I think that, if it works, it's good. I have no preference for a battle system in an RPG.

...or at least that's how I voted... I dunno... I have been getting a little bored of the turned based system, lately... but oh well.

Wuv, Yer Mom

[Andromeda]

If you did not think I was going to being you are naive

Anyway, I enjoy both equally. But I have also only played one action RPG as you call it and that was Star Ocean Til the End of Time, and I guess Kingdom Hearts though I do not know what you call that, Zelda genre *shrugs* Zelda is just another type, I really do not see them as being real RPGs since there is not really exp and HP, its an adventure game or RPG if you want. And while Star Ocean is not a stellar storyline it was engaging enough to keep me coming for more. But it was definitely the battle system that made me enjoy the game a lot. I love the traditional RPG as much as the next person, but being able to actually move around and dodge attacks, that is exciting. It is a different element to the game and you have to respect it for mixing things up in a very rigid genre. The genre has done little to change the way the battles are played and they are all very similar with changes here and there. It ends up boiling down to waiting.

I like to make strategies and plan out moves, but when the boss fight is on, you really do not know what you are going to expect from it so you are not really making a strategy as much as you are hoping not to get killed by an completely cheap shot because your white mage was casting a cure on someone because no one was really hurt when the boss goes and pulls out a critical hit move that takes away 70% of your HP and you will be hard press to see that character survive. Hey I thrive on that, I enjoy it a lot, but it is also nice to know that you can move your character around as well.

Grandia II, probably one of my favorite battle systems for a RPG, because your character moves around the battlefield. Everyone does, they have two meters, wait and act or something like that. But if your place on the field is really far from a monster and you are going to melee it, you can get hit by another monster who's turn is going as well and you get hit and killed. That is what I like, because it is more like a real battle.

RPGs are simulations of life or fantasy, so the closer it gets to capturing the true heat of battle the more I enjoy it. That is why I thoroughly loved FFX-2, because there was no such thing as its my turn you have to wait for me to finish. If a monster is moving to attack your character, another character can just come out and whale on it halting the monster or even killing it before touching your character. That is what I enjoy because it feels like a real fight and you have to think on your toes.

FFT was still turned based in the fact that you had to wait. FFX-2 was still turned based, but you did not wait, it was a free for all in the person that gets their meter fill can go, but if someone else can go to there is nothing stopping them. The traditional turned based is the wait for your turn to end. And we all grew up on that and I thoroughly enjoyed DQVIII. But I enjoy knowing that I can change the out come of battle because I am not waiting.

Turned based RPGs will always be around, though they will evolve. There will be more no waiting games probably because they increase the tension of the battle and make for a more realistic feel the fight. Though they also will provide a waiting for people that enjoy it or are not quick enough, or whatever the reason might be. But as long as it takes time and there is a meter to fill up before taking action there will be turned based RPGs. They make call it differently, like Active Turned Based or whatever, but you get down to it, it is still Turned Based, they just removed the wait to finish your turn side. Everyone still has turns, but they can just take them together.

I will keep buying RPGs of any kind as long as they have a good story that keeps me interested. Grandia III, Kingdom Hearts II, Tales of Legendia, Valkyrie Profile : Silmeria, Xenosaga III are all on my list. Plus I need to find Xenogears, Vagrant Story, Valkyrie Profile. And most of those games are turned based, I think Tales is an action RPG and I do not know how Vagrant Story plays, but I think it is turned based.

Final answer, both are equal RPG battle systems. DQVIII is probably the best turned based aside from FFX, because of sheer comedic value that keeps the battles fresh. FFX is the best turned based in my mind because it was situation based, if you do an overdrive you lose a turn/time until your next turn, plus you can switch in characters. Of the "action" RPG I have only really played Star Ocean Til the End of Time, so I cannot say which is the best. Kingdom Hearts is sort of like that, but it did not have random battles and felt more like a Zelda game than Star Ocean. So I tend to view KH and Zelda in another category of RPG.

Chrono Trigger and Grandia II battle systems are the runner-up on best for turned based. But since FFX wins simply on the fact that you switch characters in battle, nothing will ever be better until it does that. That is my opinion, because why have 8 characters if they make it really hard for you to use them all, most people just get attached to 3/4 and use them. Especially since with 8 characters a lot of them are the same, so it is ends up being two heavy damage, two healers, two wizards sort of thing and ends up be who is the coolest.

turn based hands down dude

[Atma-Noah]

You know what? I'd usually classify myself as a I don't care between them but since playing one game I'm leaning towards Action RPG. What game you ask? Radiata Stories!

This game blew me out of the water with it's amazing story and super awesome characters. Squareenix took Action rpgs to a new level with Radiata Stories. Sure you still have to tell the characters what to do ever now and than but that's the joy of being in the moment in a battle and making the right choice. Contary to Andro this game is all about your favorites. You recruit which ever characters you think are cool. Who cares if their not as "good" as other characters might be.

Anyways I'm saying Action Rpg! I just hope SE does as good of a job on XII as the did on Radiata Stories.

[TomStrife]

Tied.

If I were to choose one, it just seems the plot on Turnbased are always better.

[materia_creator]

either/or for me. turn based is the classic and enables characters to to conduct an attack/skill/magic without being interupted. action is good because you can go around finding enemies without guessing if they will be too tough or if its the right one or how many. its easier to keep track or your experience points, money, items you need. also i think the ending battle scenes are cool for most games, but they are over rated and often too long. i dont want to spend my morning watching them when i know im almost late for work.

[Martin]

Personally I fell that turn-based RPG's tend to grate on me, it's all too methodical, I like to play a game and actually play it, not just sit there and wait. That's why I voted for Action.

i think action is better turn based takes to long to get bj to you

[Osirus Lancet]

I think turn based games for the simple fact that the first Rpg FF i loved it so much it was fun thinkn out what to do and not having to bother iwth it, but i do like action rpg to an extent but i picked turn based bcause of the nostalgia factor but one action rpg i love and cant wait till the end of the month for the second is KH (Kingdom Hearts) so much ****n fun man, im actually gunna start a new file in KH to pass the time till KH2 lol

[Maridia]

Well I've played both styles before. In a way they're both fun to play and unique. Though if I had to choose it would have to be turn based. I just like the feeling of slow and methodical when I have the chance. KOTOR would be considered action and that was very good, but on the other hand the FF's are turn based. Still though turn based is for me.

[dirka dirka]

Turn based! FF proves this, being the most popular RPG ever. But on the action based line, I love the Mana series of games (Legend of Mana, Secret of Mana, Sword of Mana), there's just something about them... they still use HP and EXP too!

[Azuteor]

I'd have to say half and half. There are many others I can list, but I'm only listing my favorite games. I like both turn based and action based because the games I love are based on of these. For instance Golden Sun, Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem, DQ8, and Breath of Fire are my favorite turn based games. Ragnarok Online, the dot Hack series, Star Ocean 3, Radiata Stories, and Kingdom Hearts are my favorite action based games.

Turn based:
Pros: No time limit which gives you a lot of time to think of strategies.
Cons: You start getting bored after a few hours of fighting monsters.

Action Based:
Pros: Able to control your character's actions in battle and it gets exciting as the battle gets tougher.
Cons:There might be clunky controls in the game and there might be a few camera problems.

[Plastik Assassin]

I think Andromeda pretty much summed it all up for me...good post.

Either/Or is good for me. I play a game for the story and if thats there the battle system sort of takes a back seat. I enjoy the typical turn-based Final Fantasy type of RPG's, but I also had a blast playing the action type with Kingdom Hearts. KH is unlimited fun for me. So is, say, Final Fantasy X.

As I said, either/or works for me. Just make the game enjoyable.