How about turnbased strategy RPGs like Fire Emblem with 2d fighters? Melee attacks look a lot like something from a 2d fighting game anyway.
And if that's not possible, then why not Fire Emblem with a stat up system that isn't random, even if it's your first playthrough? That would be nice.
Joined: 8/1/2004
Posts: 2687
Location: Seattle, WA
Mechuyael: You mean Hybrid Heaven.
Tub: How is Guild Wars not like a beautiful 3D Diablo2? Also, what of Hellgate London?
Warp: There is a game called Sango Fighter (I think) from the early 90s that matches an Asian RPG + 2D fighter (I think).
did I mention gameplay?
I tried Guild Wars, but didn't like it too much. My character was unresponsive, attacks took way to long. The drop system wasn't too rewarding, no big surprises, not really much of an equipment choice. Oh great, I'll get an upgraded set with slightly increased stats, and now it's purple! Bleh. Where's the jolly surprise of randomness? I also kind of hated limiting myself to 8 skills. Not that I got more than 8 useful skills during my playing time but most of my d2-characters use more. And don't get me started on spell timers. While some d2-chars are one-trick-ponys casting the same spell over and over again, it doesn't really improve the situation if you keep cycling through the same spells over and over again. Whatever happened to picking the right skill for the right situation?
My d2-chars are fast, complex and responsive. Mostly melee-assassins, bowazons (@7 fps if possible), sorcs that use teleport for more than just crossing distance or wacky builds that provide a challenge.
So I went back to diablo 2. Since I switched to linux I don't have much choice anyway, I was told GW + wine doesn't work too well.
I'll take a look at hellgate london when it's out, but the graphics are more realistic, not really beautiful (ever seen a beautiful zombie?). I'm afraid they'll remove lots of the depth of diablo 2 to make it newbie-friendly though.
Joined: 8/1/2004
Posts: 2687
Location: Seattle, WA
I'll grant you that a Diablo 3 would usurp GW any day, but that day won't come until years after WoW dies. That being said, I'd suggest you simply accept both games as complimentary solutions to the problem. One is great mindless fun: the other is great tactical fun. Woop.
As for a beautiful zombie; I need only mention one word:
Thriller
Hybrid Heaven isn't even close to what I had in mind. I'm talking about a game like Fire Emblem, Shining Force, Final Fantasy Tactics, and so on, only when engaging an enemy (at least with a melee attack), it will start a duel fighter-game-style, like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Killer Insinct, etc' etc'..
I didn't even talk about Diablo 3. We'll see if it can live up to it's name when it's released. I don't want to get my hopes up because that always leads to disappointment.
..or I could continue playing diablo 2 until a better game arrives. It's not like diablo 2 is the only game I play, but I have little motivation to touch other action-RPGs (or similar) when diablo 2 is still more fun.