Linear RPG?

[Harmacist]

I love progression, but after a long day's work, I can't be arsed to follow open worlds, billions of side quests, collectibles, and the like. I'd like a nice story-focused RPG (doesn't matter if ARPG, CRPG, JRPG, or similar) where the designers take you for a journey, without the need to always question where to go, or having distractions.

Ideally from the last decade, nothing too old. Also, not really in the mood to read too much, so maybe CRPGs are out of the question (I know Shadowrun games are quite linear and excellent).

In other words: opposite of Skyrim / Witcher / Zelda BOTW, and more FF8/10/13. Persona has way too many distractions as well, despite the clear story path. Dislike grinding, so no TRPG or H&S.

I have a PC, PS4 and Switch, but prefer PC gaming.
Thanks!

[Harmacist]

If it's not out, I obviously don't care about it. I want to play now, not wait a few years. I'll be busy with CP2077 :D

[crunchyfrog]

Clippy の投稿を引用：

Octopath is brilliant. Finished it twice on the Switch and it is on Steam.

As for SP, I feel I outgrew them a bit. Watched the cartoons 15-20 years ago, now they feel a bit unnecessary edgy, stealing cheap laughs

I feel you as far as South Park. I'm an old git and I too find them a little stale these days. Plus I haven't watched TV in about 16 years or more, as I despise it.

But even so, these games are WELL worth looking at. The humour is just a cherry on top. You can ignore it and still have some damned good enjoyment that you are looking for, I believe.

So give it a chance?

Do you still want some more suggestions, as I dug my catalogue out last night.

[Harmacist]

Played SoT a few years back. It was... Fine. Stopped after the alien ship, as it felt repetitive.

The new one, well, I feel that at 40 y/o playing a game about farts is asking a bit much.

Keep those suggestions coming!

[crunchyfrog]

Clippy の投稿を引用：

Played SoT a few years back. It was... Fine. Stopped after the alien ship, as it felt repetitive.

The new one, well, I feel that at 40 y/o playing a game about farts is asking a bit much.

Keep those suggestions coming!

Well, to be fair I'm 53, and I have no problem playing ANYTHING, even Hello Kitty games - I don't give a flying ♥♥♥♥ to what people think of me. But each to their own.

A short and sweet RPG that's a little different, as it has no particular open world (as it's 2D) is Child of Light. Might be worth looking into.

There's one game that was re-released for PS4 and it's not exactly open world (but you can travel where you want should you want to), and it's a little off of what you want but I rate it as one of the best RPGs ever - Rogue Galaxy.

Also, there's another short and sweet outing from Square - I am Setsuna.

There's also the well-spoken of Undertale. That is another short and sweet and it turns things on it's head quite a lot actually making you think a bit more deeply about what's going on. Dead subversive and if you so wish room for replay. Personally, I don't much care for the battle system as it's a bit too twitch for my liking.

I don't know why I didn't suggest this sooner but there's one game that absolutely fits the bill here - Pier Solar and the Great Architects. This is a truly wonderful game written by two guys on different sides of the world (originally as a Sega Genesis homebrew). It's available on most platforms these days. It's probably one that ticks all your boxes.

Another little oddity is Rainbow Moon (PS4 again). It's an isometric view, but the battles are the old turn-based ones you're after. I suppose it's somewhat similar to the old Final Fantasy Tactics in some ways. It's reasonably short, but there is a bit of grinding. But thankfully it's done pretty quickly so it doesn't drag. Probably worth a look as it's rather unusual.

Another one I've had from PS+ but haven;t got round to even trying yet is Earthlock. So I have no good idea about it, except that it is another shorter and sweeter RPG.

One that's a little off your wishes is on PC - Shadowrun. There's three thus far. They're science fiction, isometric, and thoroughly engrossing. Caution though, it is somewhat text heavy as the story is told this way. But it's GREAT to play. So maybe another one to look furhter into?


If you need any more, I can still go fruther.

[Harmacist]

I love your database :D

CoL: I have it, played a couple hours, years ago, might pick it up again

RG: I played that on the PS2! Didn't know they remastered it!

IaS: Heavily inspired by Chrono Trigger, it seems

UT: overexposure to the memes made me stay away from it. Should I try it?

PSatGA: a bit too oldschool for me. Also mediocre scores :(

RM: seems interesting, but having Three Houses on the Switch, it's difficult to top. On Steam there's Fell Seal. If you haven't played, I recommend it.

Earthlock: like Setsuna, but rougher on the edges

Shadowrun: on the original thread. Played all 3, very good. Dragonfall is my favourite as it feels more immersive, somehow. But yeah, too much story.

In the end, I'm playing Trails in the Sky and Deus Ex: HR, until something else appears.

[crunchyfrog]

Clippy の投稿を引用：

I love your database :D

CoL: I have it, played a couple hours, years ago, might pick it up again

RG: I played that on the PS2! Didn't know they remastered it!

IaS: Heavily inspired by Chrono Trigger, it seems

UT: overexposure to the memes made me stay away from it. Should I try it?

PSatGA: a bit too oldschool for me. Also mediocre scores :(

RM: seems interesting, but having Three Houses on the Switch, it's difficult to top. On Steam there's Fell Seal. If you haven't played, I recommend it.

Earthlock: like Setsuna, but rougher on the edges

Shadowrun: on the original thread. Played all 3, very good. Dragonfall is my favourite as it feels more immersive, somehow. But yeah, too much story.

In the end, I'm playing Trails in the Sky and Deus Ex: HR, until something else appears.

You're a hard one to please (but in a good way!) You have impeccable tastes, and you know what you like. I love that.

I'll have a bit more of a dig later through my catalogue. It's easier than physically going through the games themselves - that would be a right pain in the arse.

I would add that Rogue Galaxy hasn't exactly been remastered. It's just one of the reissues they bunged out from the PS2 classic era. So it does look better in HD, and it has trophies.

As for Undertale, I think I largely agree with you. It's a bit too "young" and memey for me, so I'm guessing the same would be for you. maybe an alternative is to play the free offering Deltarune on here, as that's another game by the creator. That might give you better guidance.

I'll keep digging.

[Swiggity Swagger]

Clippy の投稿を引用：

In other words: opposite of Skyrim / Witcher / Zelda BOTW, and more FF8/10/13. Persona has way too many distractions as well, despite the clear story path. Dislike grinding, so no TRPG or H&S.


Thanks!

Catquest, simple, fun, easy to put down and pick-up.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/593280/Cat_Quest/

[☆ƧQυiяяєL♫]

crunchyfrog の投稿を引用：

Well, to be fair I'm 53, and I have no problem playing ANYTHING, even Hello Kitty games - I don't give a flying ♥♥♥♥ to what people think of me. But each to their own.

I'm your judge, jury and executioner.

Aren't you elder statesmen suppose to be .. mending wooden fences, repairing gas lines, riding horses or doing something outside all-the-time :D

[Harmacist]

☆ƧQυiяяєL♫ の投稿を引用：

crunchyfrog の投稿を引用：

Well, to be fair I'm 53, and I have no problem playing ANYTHING, even Hello Kitty games - I don't give a flying ♥♥♥♥ to what people think of me. But each to their own.

:teddy_talk: I'm your judge, jury and executioner.

Aren't you elder statesmen suppose to be .. mending wooden fences, repairing gas lines, riding horses or doing something outside all-the-time :D

Outside is boring. Mediocre graphics, PVP griefing/ganking, slow respawn, and buggy quicksave/quickload. I'd rather be indoors

[☆ƧQυiяяєL♫]

Clippy の投稿を引用：

Outside is boring. Mediocre graphics, PVP griefing/ganking, slow respawn, and buggy quicksave/quickload. I'd rather be indoors

:D

I'll pull some strings with The Architect;
Agent Smith will prioritize the new Matrix VR upgrades to your bubble.

[crunchyfrog]

☆ƧQυiяяєL♫ の投稿を引用：

crunchyfrog の投稿を引用：

Well, to be fair I'm 53, and I have no problem playing ANYTHING, even Hello Kitty games - I don't give a flying ♥♥♥♥ to what people think of me. But each to their own.

:teddy_talk: I'm your judge, jury and executioner.

Aren't you elder statesmen suppose to be .. mending wooden fences, repairing gas lines, riding horses or doing something outside all-the-time :D

Pfft, lesser mortals, in my opinion.

Why paint a boring fence that offers little in the way of enjoyment when there's cat/human hybrid civilizations to save?

Seriously though, I never care a jot for what other people expect of me. Where I live is a braindead sleepy rural part of England, and quite conservative and elderly. I get a lot of snobby looks all the time.

I'm far happier doing what I want to do, rather than what they wish I would do. So, Hello Kitty, taking my kids to Japan, playing with grandkids and teaching them how to make the most annoying sounds ever on sythesizer, teaching them about video games old and new, and showing them how to play pinball is right up my street.

Works for me. Oh and cats, always cats.

[Harmacist]

crunchyfrog の投稿を引用：

I'm far happier doing what I want to do, rather than what they wish I would do.

40 y/o and just discovering how important this is. It's changing my life. Also moved to a rural town, and trying to live a smaller life, I travel a lot more and fill my head less with BS that isn't supposed to matter.

Don't like a friend? Ties cut, even if he's from the childhood. Morals first.
Don't want to do something? Don't do it. It's not irresponsible, but I can't force myself in doing the nth tapas crawl this month with people I care little about.
Want to stay indoors and play Ghost of Sushimi? Then ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ do it. Rent is paid, job is going fine, why not?

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Trails in the Sky takes a long time to spin up, and you're basically exploring the setting for most of the first game.

Give it time and patience. I'd say it just isn't flashy right off the bat, but rather requires a certain amount of focus to really get into.

Ironically I wonder if I wish I'd discovered it earlier in my life, when I had fewer other games to play distracting me from their fellow games.

[☆ƧQυiяяєL♫]

crunchyfrog の投稿を引用：

[Pfft, lesser mortals, in my opinion...

.... when there's cat/human hybrid civilizations to save?

...Works for me. Oh and cats, always cats.

:D

[Pigeon Pecking Keyboard]

How about Bastion? That's pretty linear.

I know you said no H&S. But consider Torchlight 1 & 2 as they can be quite linear and there is fixed amount of side-quests. I finished T1 at 30 hours and T2 has a casual mode where you can just smash through stuff for story.