Can we get an option to remove time limits?

[Ken Laird]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: I honestly have no problem with there being time limits on each chapter, for story and game balance reasons, it would make absolutely no sense to let the player dally about and waste time pencilling in every corner of the world as the powers that be plot to overthrow you and destroy your kingdom. I get that, 100%, makes perfect sense as-is.

HOWEVER

It drives me nuts, because the time limits are juxtaposed against this big, beautiful open world full of nooks and crannies that beg me to stop and smell the man-eating roses, even as the ticking timebomb that is the main quest threatens to destroy everything I know and love. It's like "Hey, here's this great big game full of secrets and treasure and people and fun things to do! There's more content and story here than you can shake a stick at and it's all fantastic, here you go! But wait, you only have 90 days to do everything that you need to before the story drags you along, and if you don't do the main thing that you need to do, the game's over, and too bad if you saved yourself into a corner and can't do the thing that you really needed to do, so actually, don't look too closely at how great and fun this huge game is, and instead follow the Stanley Parable Adventure Line (TM) directly to your goal, do not pass GO, do not collect $200."

This isn't the way I like to play my games, under the constant threat of time running out and forcing me back to a save where I wasn't softlocked because I couldn't navigate the map in time to tell Oleg I killed the Stag Lord and the stolen lands are saved? Maybe it's just me here, but I really don't like looking at a quest log and seeing deadlines. You know where I have deadlines? My job, that I work nine to five, forty hours a week, so that I can spend my weekends playing games. I don't like my games looking like a second job, where I'm obligated to stop having fun and go attend to the thing that's about to tell me I can't have fun exploring anymore.

Like I said, I get it, for the sake of the story, and for a sense of challenge, you shouldn't just be able to dawdle around and do whatever, but for those of us that just want to map out the far corners of the world, slay the dragon, and save every little burning hamlet in our domain without having to worry about a looming deadline, it would be nice to have the option.

But, again, I get it. I'm just one guy shouting into the void here. Maybe my opinion doesn't carry much clout with game developers. That's why I'd like to bring up a part of game developer Tim Cain's presentation at GDC on the original Fallout: (Skip to 23:44)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa5IzHhAdi4&feature=youtu.be&t=23m44s

Again, I'm not saying the time limit should be removed here, but for the players that just want to explore and enjoy the game, I think it should certainly be an option, even if it gives players too many opportunities to acquire resources and unbalance the game. Poking our noses in every corner of great big beautiful worlds is just what some of us are all about. I look at this game, and in spite of the little bugs and inconsistencies I see, there's an obvious and overwhelming sense of love for the spirit of tabletop games and care that was put into each and every location and encounter, every story, every dialogue. The thought of skipping over and missing any of it because of a time limit is disheartening, to say the least.

[SalzStange]

Ya, it's very annoying. Specially the time limits for the quests after the first mission.

[fefnir3284]

i want this too. just add it to story mode for those of us that just want to be relaxed and have fun. let it stay for the sados that want to dfo unfair and other difficulties...

[Valkor]

Time limits should be used sometimes and very carefully, at some plot points ONLY, but not everywhere

[Harr]

Hear Ye Hear Ye

I wholeheartily agree.

[Flavar]

i so wish for this option

[Zaltys]

If the limits were removed, most of the timed events would need an alternate way to be triggered. And I have no idea how that could work in some cases (such as The Ancient Curse). So easier said than done.

The first chapter should probably have more time, though. Six months or so.

Actually, instead of disabling the time limits, how about an option of just doubling or even tripling them?

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Zaltys:

If the limits were removed, most of the timed events would need an alternate way to be triggered. And I have no idea how that could work in some cases (such as The Ancient Curse). So easier said than done.

The first chapter should probably have more time, though. Six months or so.

Actually, instead of disabling the time limits, how about an option of just doubling or even tripling them?

That strikes me as the easier option but idk.

[Ando]

i wholeheartly agree too. it's not the timelimit of act 1. The edges of the map are unpassable and i am able to clear out all of the map i can go before the 90 Days pass. I wouldn't mind it so much if the first act would be the sole act under the timelimit pressure. But everything afterwards get (sometimes invisible) timelimits aswell (hello Jhaedan Companion Quest, im looking at u).
The Map is really great and like the OP said, there are so many places to go and look for Stuff but u cant really enjoy it cause some sort of pressure from the time Limits is always there. (Is it the first of the Month again? Time to return to the Barony? Is it Curse time again? Did i miss a Time Limit on a Companion Quest? etc)
I dont believe it would be so difficult to introduce a simple button that stops timeprogression for the questline's if you activate it and continues the Time if u deactivate it. So u yourself could decide when to advance to certain Events.

Just my 2 Cents.

[Sotanaht]

Originally posted by Zaltys:

If the limits were removed, most of the timed events would need an alternate way to be triggered. And I have no idea how that could work in some cases (such as The Ancient Curse). So easier said than done.

The first chapter should probably have more time, though. Six months or so.

Actually, instead of disabling the time limits, how about an option of just doubling or even tripling them?

If we aren't concerned about "realsim" in no-pressure mode, you could simply advance them with a kingdom project. Maybe put a special little icon on the project so you know its important

[Edstyles]

There is an option for rest to remove debuffs on 1 go. This improved the timer for me. Less resting = less to worry.

[Valandryl]

I don't see how time limits interfere with exploration. Every time you have a main quest, do it quickly. Then you have like 5 months to explore. This is absolutely absurd because the game is full of invisible walls and you have way too much time to explore, you end up waiting un your throne room for the next big thing to happen.

[Gragnil]

Supported from my side! I'm the kind of gamer linke... if i haven't smelled on every flower and didn't explore every little shadow i'm not done with this map! and then you have the big fat ticking bomb in your mind... it's like you're enjoying this beautiful and very interesting world the devs created and then you have a annoying little parrot on your shoulder yanking: do the mainquest, do the mainquest, everybody will DIE!!!

[Panam]

I agree with the OP. The map is huge and there's so much to see and do. But I feel like I'm missing out on all kinds of content.

Great idea to have an option in the menu to slow down event progression.

[Shadenuat]

Every act in the map has blocks just like Act I and balanced in the same way that you will always be able to explore everything at a reasonable pace.

[Zaltys]

Originally posted by Valandryl:

I don't see how time limits interfere with exploration. Every time you have a main quest, do it quickly. Then you have like 5 months to explore.

Upgrading the barony stat ranks and claiming new territories both require that you stay at the capital.

Whenever I'm exploring I have this nagging feeling: "there's no time for this, I need to get back to the capital to check up on visitors and build up the kingdom in preparation of the next crisis". And each time I rest, it feels like I'm wasting time that could be better used on kingdom management. I think my party went a month without a sleep at one point. There's just too much to do, and nowhere near enough time to do it.