D&D Represented in Videogames. [Archive] - Wizards Community

D&D Represented in Videogames. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Coireandil
05-09-05, 01:20 AM I have a question for all of you: which videogame incarnation of D&D do you feel best represents the actual game? Baldur's Gate? D&D: Heroes? Which do you think best captures the style and play of D&D?

My personal opinion is that until a game which is turn-based, has a decent character customization system, is multi-player and focuses more on story than on combat comes along we won't be seeing the true representation of D&D through visual arts. I might be hoping for the impossible, but I'm hoping nonetheless.
Attila
05-09-05, 01:59 AM I think D&D Heroes does a credible job of representing true D&D. I'm with you and usually don't care for D&D video games but was quite impressed with it. While it lacks to role playing and interaction of D&D, it does have many of the character elements and other trappings of the game. It is multiplayer BTW. It's not as good as D&D but a decent substitute when you can't have the real thing. I hope for more releases like it.

That said, I don't think it's possible to create a video game that totally captures the spirit of D&D because it's all in one's imagination. Video games are limited to a single vision that is thought to appeal to the maximum number of people.
Sarella Starshine
05-09-05, 02:41 AM www.ddo.com

Atari is already making a multi-player, turn-based game that acctually using the rules from D&D.

and here is a recent review of the above mentioned game, which is due out this summer.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/609/609505p1.html

all and all, it looks like it will replicate the feel of pen and paper while being online with a bunch of players from around the world.
Escef
05-09-05, 03:30 AM Of all the D&D based games I have played, I'd have to say NWN.
Callahan
05-09-05, 03:55 AM I find the problem is that unless you have all your friends connected at the same time and you're all playing together to solve quests it turns in to pure hack and slash (though most people try to hack then slash). The bigger issue is that games like NWN didn't really control player characters and most people just automatically jack their characters to 20th lvl and hacked items and well then it just gets boring.
weasel fierce
05-09-05, 05:00 AM No computer game to date have been even remotely close to an actual roleplaying game. Baldurs gate was wicked fun though.
Gryllmyre
05-09-05, 10:57 AM TOEE did pretty well at the turn-based aspect of combat, but unfortunately the game was rife with annoying nuances and bugs.
Crunchy Frog
05-09-05, 11:34 AM I agree with Gryllmyre. Temple of Elemental Evil was close to true D&D, and if it had worked properly and more conveniently, it would have been great.

Reaching back to older versions, the gold box games were pretty close to 1st edition AD&D, although they were missing many of the character options.
anarco_rata
05-09-05, 01:39 PM all and all, it looks like it will replicate the feel of pen and paper while being online with a bunch of players from around the world.
Well, in theory is a grea idea, but the thing is that, paying 15$ a month to hear things like: D00D 1|\/| +0+4lly 3p1|{!!11!!1 1ll r0x0r joo!!!1!! is masochism.
Besides, i can play it here in venezuela, so screw that game!
(I'll probably play it anyway if i could ^^ im soo weak)
weasel fierce
05-09-05, 04:44 PM TOEE was a fine skirmish wargame. I didnt see any actual roleplaying going on, or even a vague attempt to make the characters stand out (let alone opportunities to do so).

But chopping up enemies was wicked fun, and there's a room for that too
LordHell
05-09-05, 06:23 PM D&D based games I have played:

Eye of the Beholder
Baldurs Gate 1
Baldurs Gate 2
Baldurs Gate Throne of Bhaal
Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance
Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance 2
Icewind Dale
Icewind Dale 2
Pool of Radiance
Neverwinter Nights + all the Xpacks
Neverwinter Nights online persistant worlds
Neverwinter Nights DM'd ran games
Temple of Elemental Evil

Of all those games, the game that is most true do D&D mechanics is Temple of Elemental evil. It had a little roleplay in it, but IMO it represents the D&D game the best. With all the community patches it doesnt seem that bad.

Neverwinter Nights is truely a great game, but it is a very poor representation of D&D. Yes, the multiplayer side of things makes roleplay possible, but mechanically speaking it is far from D&D and more like an 'arcade' version.

When I play ToEE I feel like I am playing a D&D game, when I am playing Neverwinter Nights I feel like I am playing a Diablo kind of game.

Summary:

Closest to D&D mechanics: Temple of Elemental Evil
Closest to D&D roleplaying: Neverwinter Nights multiplayer
The Best Game on that list: Baldurs Gate 1 & 2
Ogre4Hire
05-09-05, 08:09 PM Planescape: Torment

Nough said.
NehpetsTtocs
05-09-05, 10:31 PM I feel that the Baldur's gate series on pc did a pretty good job of simulating second edition; I haven't played NWN, so I can't comment on that. The DnD hack n' slashers on GC, XBox, and PS2 are okay, but not really indicative of the game's mechanics in my opinion.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Coireandil 05-09-05, 01:20 AM	I have a question for all of you: which videogame incarnation of D&D do you feel best represents the actual game? Baldur's Gate? D&D: Heroes? Which do you think best captures the style and play of D&D? My personal opinion is that until a game which is turn-based, has a decent character customization system, is multi-player and focuses more on story than on combat comes along we won't be seeing the true representation of D&D through visual arts. I might be hoping for the impossible, but I'm hoping nonetheless.
Attila 05-09-05, 01:59 AM	I think D&D Heroes does a credible job of representing true D&D. I'm with you and usually don't care for D&D video games but was quite impressed with it. While it lacks to role playing and interaction of D&D, it does have many of the character elements and other trappings of the game. It is multiplayer BTW. It's not as good as D&D but a decent substitute when you can't have the real thing. I hope for more releases like it. That said, I don't think it's possible to create a video game that totally captures the spirit of D&D because it's all in one's imagination. Video games are limited to a single vision that is thought to appeal to the maximum number of people.
Sarella Starshine 05-09-05, 02:41 AM	www.ddo.com Atari is already making a multi-player, turn-based game that acctually using the rules from D&D. and here is a recent review of the above mentioned game, which is due out this summer. http://pc.ign.com/articles/609/609505p1.html all and all, it looks like it will replicate the feel of pen and paper while being online with a bunch of players from around the world.
Escef 05-09-05, 03:30 AM	Of all the D&D based games I have played, I'd have to say NWN.
Callahan 05-09-05, 03:55 AM	I find the problem is that unless you have all your friends connected at the same time and you're all playing together to solve quests it turns in to pure hack and slash (though most people try to hack then slash). The bigger issue is that games like NWN didn't really control player characters and most people just automatically jack their characters to 20th lvl and hacked items and well then it just gets boring.
weasel fierce 05-09-05, 05:00 AM	No computer game to date have been even remotely close to an actual roleplaying game. Baldurs gate was wicked fun though.
Gryllmyre 05-09-05, 10:57 AM	TOEE did pretty well at the turn-based aspect of combat, but unfortunately the game was rife with annoying nuances and bugs.
Crunchy Frog 05-09-05, 11:34 AM	I agree with Gryllmyre. Temple of Elemental Evil was close to true D&D, and if it had worked properly and more conveniently, it would have been great. Reaching back to older versions, the gold box games were pretty close to 1st edition AD&D, although they were missing many of the character options.
anarco_rata 05-09-05, 01:39 PM	all and all, it looks like it will replicate the feel of pen and paper while being online with a bunch of players from around the world. Well, in theory is a grea idea, but the thing is that, paying 15$ a month to hear things like: D00D 1\|\/\| +0+4lly 3p1\|{!!11!!1 1ll r0x0r joo!!!1!! is masochism. Besides, i can play it here in venezuela, so screw that game! (I'll probably play it anyway if i could ^^ im soo weak)
weasel fierce 05-09-05, 04:44 PM	TOEE was a fine skirmish wargame. I didnt see any actual roleplaying going on, or even a vague attempt to make the characters stand out (let alone opportunities to do so). But chopping up enemies was wicked fun, and there's a room for that too
LordHell 05-09-05, 06:23 PM	D&D based games I have played: Eye of the Beholder Baldurs Gate 1 Baldurs Gate 2 Baldurs Gate Throne of Bhaal Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance 2 Icewind Dale Icewind Dale 2 Pool of Radiance Neverwinter Nights + all the Xpacks Neverwinter Nights online persistant worlds Neverwinter Nights DM'd ran games Temple of Elemental Evil Of all those games, the game that is most true do D&D mechanics is Temple of Elemental evil. It had a little roleplay in it, but IMO it represents the D&D game the best. With all the community patches it doesnt seem that bad. Neverwinter Nights is truely a great game, but it is a very poor representation of D&D. Yes, the multiplayer side of things makes roleplay possible, but mechanically speaking it is far from D&D and more like an 'arcade' version. When I play ToEE I feel like I am playing a D&D game, when I am playing Neverwinter Nights I feel like I am playing a Diablo kind of game. Summary: Closest to D&D mechanics: Temple of Elemental Evil Closest to D&D roleplaying: Neverwinter Nights multiplayer The Best Game on that list: Baldurs Gate 1 & 2
Ogre4Hire 05-09-05, 08:09 PM	Planescape: Torment Nough said.
NehpetsTtocs 05-09-05, 10:31 PM	I feel that the Baldur's gate series on pc did a pretty good job of simulating second edition; I haven't played NWN, so I can't comment on that. The DnD hack n' slashers on GC, XBox, and PS2 are okay, but not really indicative of the game's mechanics in my opinion.