Two questions about this game

[Ahoy]

I bought this game when it was at 2.1.x stage, but I never played too much until now. It seems like a lot of new stuffs have been added, for that I really appreciate the dev's effort.

One question is about the deadline of the story. I notice that all the stories have a certain deadline, which forces me inevitably miss some or even most of the story quests. I understand the design of a evolving world, but does that mean I have to start a new game repeatedly to experience all the stories? And are all the story lines connected? That means if I miss some of the prerequisite quests, I cannot play the other stories.

Another quetion, is this game a highly story based game or more sandbox like game? Personally I love fantasitic stories, but I really hate to restart new games repeatedly. So if I miss the story part, are there still plenty of interesting stuffs to be explored?

[bookworm2156]

There are mutually exclusive parts of the main storyline - for example, you can only work with one (two if you're careful and choose a specific route) of the 3 Faens (Zette, Eric and Valencia) and the story will change based on who you work with and the missions you do.

There are certain "re-entry" points into the main story that let you join back in if you didn't do the earlier missions. (The easiest example is right at the start: if you choose not to collect the Arbiter, she will make her own way to the Faen court)

Apart from the main storyline, there are I think 6 smaller standalone arcs which aren't dependant on your choices in the main storyline.

These are nice to do even if you are doing a more sandboxy playthrough.

I tend to play roughly following the story, although I still haven't seen all the endings to the first era yet.

I hope this has helped to answer your questions

[davea]

I'm starting to think that using the term "main quest" for the Faen storyline is a little misleading. It is "traditional" in other RPGs to have a main quest that lasts the whole game, and you can pay more or less attention to it if you are interested. In ST:F, this is the most detailed storyline, but it isn't really "main". There are other story lines, which randomly occur, that have just as much depth and "twists". (Except Erik Faen's line, that is the most ... twisted).

Since I have played 10+ different starts, I don't usually bother with the Faen line anymore. You should definitely try all three branches, but don't feel obligated. Following any branch, or not following any branch, doesn't prevent any of the other storylines. The Arbiter storyline will stay available for years, as long as you do the very first part; but again, it isn't required for any of the other storylines.

[Trese Brothers]

Originally posted by dave:

I'm starting to think that using the term "main quest" for the Faen storyline is a little misleading. It is "traditional" in other RPGs to have a main quest that lasts the whole game, and you can pay more or less attention to it if you are interested. In ST:F, this is the most detailed storyline, but it isn't really "main". There are other story lines, which randomly occur, that have just as much depth and "twists". (Except Erik Faen's line, that is the most ... twisted).

You are correct in that -- the Faen storyline is the "starting" story arc. It is no means a main storyline.

@ahoy - the game features a starting storyline (Faen) which opens the doors to some other larger story arcs if you get involved. If not, those story arcs will happen anyway and will have invitation points to rejoin in at moments of galactic change.

Then, throughout the evolution of the world, different Eras will start and end (major political shifts, disaster events, etc).

Also, there is a proc-gen story picker in the background that inserts new short-to-long story arcs that are not related any larger arc as you play, picking moments to offer them when it feels it is appropriate.

[Ahoy]

Originally posted by Trese Brothers:

Originally posted by dave:

I'm starting to think that using the term "main quest" for the Faen storyline is a little misleading. It is "traditional" in other RPGs to have a main quest that lasts the whole game, and you can pay more or less attention to it if you are interested. In ST:F, this is the most detailed storyline, but it isn't really "main". There are other story lines, which randomly occur, that have just as much depth and "twists". (Except Erik Faen's line, that is the most ... twisted).

You are correct in that -- the Faen storyline is the "starting" story arc. It is no means a main storyline.

@ahoy - the game features a starting storyline (Faen) which opens the doors to some other larger story arcs if you get involved. If not, those story arcs will happen anyway and will have invitation points to rejoin in at moments of galactic change.

Then, throughout the evolution of the world, different Eras will start and end (major political shifts, disaster events, etc).

Also, there is a proc-gen story picker in the background that inserts new short-to-long story arcs that are not related any larger arc as you play, picking moments to offer them when it feels it is appropriate.

Thanks for replying. Now I understand. So this game has no main story, instead, the story is comprised of different story lines. And the Faen story line is just a kind of introduction to the whole story. Great!