Metaplanar Babel

I’ve been playing this awesome game the past few days, after a recent turn in our roleplaying got me re-interested in the whole vampire mythos. After previously (like 6 months ago) getting stuck somewhere in the second “chapter”, I managed to start a new character (Tremere, this time) and blow through most of the game in a weekend. I haven’t finished the end game yet, because FIRE ARCHERS suck *cough*, but it’s been fun. I wish the game had expanded on the non-combative elements a bit, though. In the beginning, you think that you can talk your way through any situation, because those possibilities actually exist. However, once you hit Downtown, you suddenly start hitting many situations where there are no creative ways to use persuasion. Why, I have to ask, why does a Toreador have to fight or sneak through a museum, when she could just as easily lie and convince the guard that she’s the local scientist’s assistant? But no, there’s no option for that; the bloody guards shoot first and ask questions never.

The game has so much potential, but it just got kind of.. washed out. I don’t like FPS games. Bloodlines at least has a decent (and appropriately convoluted) story, and I have to say that the “twist” near the end has been amusing (though not entirely unexpected, mind you). The controls are a little wonky, the graphics are glitchy, and the game runs like it needed to go through another beta test. Despite all that, it’s fun. That kind of story strength is pretty rare in the PC game market these days. It brings to mind the fun that could be had from Planescape: Torment, except PT was longer, less glitchy, and usually let you play your character archtype instead of forcing everyone into a fighter/sneaker. I guess I need to just break down and buy Jade Empire, since it seems to be in a similar vein. Where are all the games with great story? I can forgive a lot of gameplay issues, if the story is good enough, but the best gameplay and graphics in the world can’t save a game with a shoddy plot.

Anyway, I’m just rambling now; forgive the incoherence, please. (@_@)