How Rising Star II gets the RPG elements right

[thelamaknows]

One of my favorite things about RS2 would make for a great addition to Blockbuster Inc.
In RS2 creating a song (like making a movie) is done by piecing together four pieces of a 'puzzle'. Each member can create pieces, but each member has a character stat that may make them better or worse at making song parts. Not everyone is a musical genius.
Additionally each member of the band chooses personal attitudes that are reflected in their contributions. These attitudes can be in line with, or contrary to attitudes held by the general audience. These change over time so it gives you a way to interact with the audience. Do you make the controversial movie and take the backlash? Or play it safe and tow the line.? Currently the relationship in Blockbuster is one way. The audience is just there to take whatever you give them, simply rewarding you more for delivering a larger number score of whatever you offer. That might reflect real life a bit, but games are supposed to be more fun than real life, otherwise we'd all be doing that instead.
Also in RS2 band members have their own ego. If you don't use their contributions in songs, they might get angry and leave. But that guy might actually suck at writing, and you have to choose whether to indulge his ego to keep him around and have worse music because of it.
That is perfectly aligned with how Blockbuster Inc stars can develop traits. In this case a trait like 'actor/director' where the actor constantly demands reshoots on your dime regardless of whether you ordered them or not. Slowing your schedule and costing the studio money, lowering the happiness level of the staff on that production. Sure he's a superstar hunk of male hotness, but your best directors keep quitting after making a film with the guy.
The world of Blockbuster Inc feels too static. Once I bought up all the best staff, the game didn't spawn anything better so the whole part of having to keep an eye on the new hire market sort of disappears early on.
I will say though that much like Blockbuster Inc, the economy in RS2 is pretty much a non-challenge after the first hour or two. Before I had a number one hit song the band already had a private jet, all the best gear the game has, and could essentially retire as millionaires that have never even played an arena.

[HardPenguin]

This is an unusual approach but a good feedback nonetheless! I will be writing this down for the developers to evaluate ☺️.