Anyone else think Bioware is getting too formulaic?

[Archaic]

Respond ONLY if you can actually define "formulaic".

Baldur's Gate 2 is my favorite RPG, but ever since Neverwinter Nights, their efforts seem to be less and less impressive. NWN, KOTOR, and JE all follow the sword-swinging hero through his dull first training adventrure, nobody-to-bigshot character growth, well-defined moral decisions, sub-characters with commentary, etc.

I dunno. I guess I'm just getting tired of their single player campaign structure. I enjoy the twists they put in (i.e. KOTOR's plot shift in the middle, NWN's editor) but I can never stand the first three/four hours, and I always seem to get bored towards the middle of the dungeon/spaceship/cave exploration and the "talk to persons A, B, and C" quests.

I don't like Japanese RPG's either, though, so maybe it's just my ADD kicking in. I just wish they'd take a big risk and go with something completely different (i.e. Persona) rather than keep using similar stories and merely changing the setting.

[Girion47]

I know I couldnt finish NeverWinterNights. I got to some point where I had to kill myself by a waterfall and then calm down an angry deer. I figured if thats the best they can do I dont want to see any more.

[chickenhawk]

formulaic

adj : characterized by or in accordance with some formula

Can I post now?

[SteveMcQ]

Storyline-wise, I do think it's formulaic (from what little I've seen mind you), but then how many games out there aren't? There's only so many ways they can craft a story. The setting though is something completely unique to the game.

What sets this apart though has to be the way combat is handled. The tediousness of item management has been minimized and it works to draw in a non fan of RPGs like me.

[Girion47]

item handling in NWN was a pain in the ass. give me FF3. that was simple and fun. I started playing FF7 and wished I could get a top down veiw like FF3. I dont care about the graphics. the storylines are simple but fun.

[Wet Ninja]

Respond ONLY if you can actually define "formulaic".

:lol:

[DCriminal]

Planescape Torment was the pinnacle of RPG gaming. Baldur's Gate was a close second.

However, I agree that Bioware is beginning to get formulaic in their games. Specifically their side quests. With their recent releases I get the feeling that I have done it before. MANY times before.

[Apossum]

i agree about the first few hours-- i keep putting in Jade empire and taking it back out 15 minutes later, after listening to too many people talk.