[Strongholds so close to getting it right.]

 

A brief history of Strongholds in RPGs:

 

 

1) First appeared in 1st Edition AD&D DMG, as something for retired adventurers who have reached maximum level to do. Intended to help the DM with worldbuilding.

 

2) Featured in BG2, again for high level characters. Featured a set of class-specific sidequests, and hence enhanced replayablity and class-distinctiveness.

 

3) Featured in NWN2 OC, incorporating elements from strategy gaming. Largely successful, but the plot felt bent in order to justify the stronghold, rather than a natural adjunct. As such, contributed to the linearity and poor storytelling that blighted that release (along with the bugs).

 

4) A half-baked, pointless, and impossible to completely avoid blight on Pillars of Eternity.

 

Yeah, we get it.  You don't like strongholds.  So what else is new?

 

I see why some people would not like it especially if they are pure RPG only fans, however I like the idea of an extra dimension to a game. It was the same with Mass Effect when I said you have a space ship why not see it slug it out in space battles like in Tie Fighter or Wing Commander they were appalled

 

Another thing I would like to see are your Characters who are currently not being used in your party being involved in Stronghold activities either defense roles are various other daily activities.

[Strongholds so close to getting it right.]

I have been playing RPG's since Ultima 1 so I have been around for quite a while. Firstly I think Pillars of Eternity is a great game and nearly has got it spot on when it comes to an RPG.

 

Strongholds- The concept I have seen before and it is so nearly right. If in later updates you do the following it would be perfect.

 

Construction of Building- Lets see them being actually built, the wagons coming in and the workers putting up walls etc to add to the realism to the game.

 

lets make all constructed types have an active roll. For example the training area actually being used (not sure if it is at the moment) and the gardens etc. rather than just having a bonus perk.

 

Stronghold attacks - If by creatures from the Endless paths we should have defenses to stop them accessing first level of Endless Paths, if other attackers lets have them attack the Stronghold from outside it and we can then put into use all those defenses we paid for and even add additional elements like defensive weapons etc. Some would say this is more Strategy than RPG but it would certainly add another dimension to Stronghold and make it more purposeful.

 

Hirelings- More occupations not just wayfaring hirelings but servants, gardeners etc. We wan to see an active community in the Stronghold.

 

Equipping Hirelings - we got all that good gear and wish to put it to use?

 

Lastly the only other thing I would like to see is the NPC's more active in the game, going on their daily business and not just standing their 24/7 night and day doing nothing.

 

Thanks for listening