Nonek

Oh one totally agrees that Baldur's Gate was not the revelation that many regard it as Mr Volourn, in fact I think it was a significant step back from the Ultima series in several ways, though obviously the combat was significantly better. However I felt that the search for Gorion's murderer, ones own identity and the strange business with the iron crisis was a logical response for a player. Well as logical as anything can be in a high fantasy setting such as the Realms, and the protagonist stumbles into it in quite a well constructed manner. Though I personally would have liked more options and less chokepoints. The same goes for Kotor, Jade Empire and the first Mass Effect, they all seem to put one in a situation where the ensuing derring do is appropriate. However from Origin's onward i've felt very much that I wouldn't choose any of the options presented to me, and also i'm afraid to say that I felt this way with NWN, there's a scene in the last chapter where some character tells you that you're the only one who can save the day, and all I asked myself was why? There are Harpers, Elminster and the other god blessed etcetera, why should a random gent be the only solution? It felt a little too blatant and uncomfortable a form of ego stroking, considering I was just a dumb fighter with a warehouse of arcane trinkets. Dragon Age 2 for instance, why would I side with anybody in Kirkwall, or stay there, or go to the Deep Roads when a fortune can be made in the city within a few days, or be attached to the strangers the game presents as my family whom I can't even talk to. I felt less like a player and more a spectator watching a farce about a homicidal bungler. However that's only my personal impression and everybody is free to see the games listed differently, variety and what not.

One doesn't see how being the unwilling recipient of an npc's affections could be any worse than the forced siding with Cerberus or the Grey Warden investiture of Dragon Age. Bioware has been stripping away logical choice from their games for awhile now, I don't see forced romances as too much of a deviation from this, and it would most probably please their fanbase, especially if they get to use the character creator on their victims sorry partners. If the feature is unwanted simply do not buy the product.

I never liked Bruce Springsteen either, I say it's about time his music was banned.

Much appreciated Mr Brennecke.

Bit of a lore question if you don't mind Mr Brennecke: With the Dyrwood having no laws against Animancy are there a number of charlatans trying to make a quick coin on the back of the real Animancer's research? How would such a crime be treated in a setting where the immortal soul is perhaps regarded as more important than the flesh? Are there laws governing such matters or is this the domain of the Clergy? Addendum: Playing the Stick of Truth currently, bravo Sir, please pass on my congratulations and thanks for such an enjoyable and rib tickling experience.

Yes.

Interactivity and reactivity in the environment: Ultima 7 and Divine Divinity, very rare to see this feature in modern games however, due to the steady decline of the medium. The brute power, nuance and simplicity of text as a medium: Betrayal at Krondor and Planescape Torment. Cinematics as an aid to gameplay rather than a hindrance: The Witcher 1. Believable living worlds, with npc routines and realistic behaviour: Vizima in Witcher 1 and Ultima 7. Self motivated npc's with their own agenda's: New Vegas, The Sith Lords and Witcher 2. You might wish to look up Mr Charlie Brooker's television program "games that changed the world" Orogun, seems like it might be relevant to your list in a number of ways.

I don't think my character would really need help to murder Leilani as he accomplished it quite easily at the Ashes, however thank you for the kind offer Mr Volourn.

I'd forgotten how stomach churning and buttock clenchingly embarassing that was, excuse me while I go and pour some bleach in my ears and eyes. Edit: There really should be an interrupt available at that point to push her into the fire or have Dog tear her throat out.

I happened to fall ill today (ah-choo) and consequently am engaged in the quest for the Stick of Truth, from the Ralph Bakshi inspired intro to first using Mr Slave's summons i've been alternately falling about laughing and rather invested in the quite involved combat. A very fine purchase, most amusing and well crafted.

What if your character was a ghost in the game, how would you feel than about running through NPC's Fine.

Considering the average protagonist in an rpg's life, one suspects there would be a good proportion of characters who crack under the burden the plot usually places upon them, I too would really like a few more extreme personalities and answers.

Hopefully there's a little more life, colour and interactivity in those envirnments than in the dull, grey, empty and unchanging Kirkwall. I certainly hope we cannot run through npc's as well, one finds that modern trend enormously off putting.

I peruse neither RPS or the Codex, this in no way serves to limit their rights to free speech Bruce. I hardly thought this needed pointing out.

Personally I stopped perusing RPS a while ago, their "journalism" has clearly deteriorated and it speaks volume that they see fit to preach at their audience rather than reporting on relevant subject matter, the actions of self righteous young men who clearly look down on their audience.

The Case against Romance: We're all of us fundamentally unloveable, accept it and move on.

If true I will most probably not pick up Titanfall, one has little to no interest in online games and (apart from an occassional skirmish in the original but heavily modded Dawn of War) very rarely even play the multiplayer side of games, even against bots. I do think that for mainly multiplayer games your campaign dlc idea is unfortunately something that is probably being touted at the very moment, and will most likely be implemented at some point.

No crossguard or quillons on the sword either, combined with the lack of gauntlets I hope the young lady isn't too fond of her fingers. Very much style over substance there.

I've heard rumours that a Sci-Fi version of FiT is being developed, Combat in Asteroids, is this true?

Never said it was Mr Mor, however it's a nice counterpoint to all of the doom and gloom we commonly hear. Indeed the fear of violence seems to be far more prevalant than its actual occurence if statistics (at least in the west) are to be believed.

Getting a bit stout since I stopped playing Rugby. Upped my dogs walks to ten miles, once in the morning and once at night, tabbing and jogging as the mood takes me. Work out with the weights three to four times a week, one day on and one day off. Box and wrestle with the lad twice a week for an hour. Any idea on what I should increase? Maybe jump on the old exercise bike or the new fancy treadmills that the ladies use?

Anybody remember the lone Gurkha who fought off and routed a group of forty men who were intent on abusing a young lady on a train a few years ago? In that case i'm glad the gentleman was carrying a weapon, and glad that he knew how to use it.

All of the hoo haa around the new one made me re-install Thief: The Dark Project, and i've got to admit that i'm enjoying it tremendously. Currently down in the Bonehoard, hiding and running, scared and at my wits edge. Playing on Expert to get the full game experience, can't really see the point of the other difficulties. Pity that a little more of ones wealth doesn't transfer from mission to mission, but from Stephen Russel's ocassional utterances you get the feeling that Garret is somewhat of a hedonist and a Jack the Lad.

At my door a gentle rapping, a persistent tap-tap-tap-tapping. And so I rose from my chair once more. The portal opened with a rusted creaking, the long neglected hinges weeping. To reveal my son, his hair ragged, his knees ever soar. A missive from my wife he was presenting, and then alighting, going, wenting. From my presence, so I did close the door. You ask the question of branding, naming, and in this I see no shaming. It shall be called Poe, wrote my sweet Eleanor.

Facial hair. Rex turned to Luthor, his long mustaches quivering with rage as his jaws strained and bulged. Luthor relaxed back into his armchair, a kittenish smile on his lips, one hand caressing his immaculately sculpted and oiled goatee. For a long frozen moment they held in this position, the only sound Rex's hand squeezing the doorknob in a stranglers grip, Luthor raised one eyebrow in sardonic amusement and crossed his legs, checking the crease in his immaculately pressed trousers for any imperfection. "What's the matter old boy, cat got your tongue?" He asked, twirling the tip of his VanDyke with an expert flourish. Rex pulled himself to his full impressive height and looked down on his brother, his lips involuntarily puckering and snarling as he tried to master his rage. Resolutely he thrust his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets, as if to keep them away from his opponents neck, and threw back his head with a prideful explosion of pent up breath. His mustaches blew and shook with this movement, lending the gentleman an air of leonine magnificence, Luthor's eyebrow climbed higher still. "Were you not my brother Sir, I would beat you to within an inch of your insolent life!" Luthor's slender manicured hand caressed his goatee with more eager strokes, while Rex's huge paws looked set to tear off the poor cloth of his waistcoat. "Come now brother, why so perturbed?" Luthor asked, false innocence dripping over his gaotee'd lips with the practised ease of an accomplished bounder. "'Twas only a biscuit!" "MY BISCUIT SIR, MINE!" Rex roared, his mustaches flying with a winged grace like unto the Valkyries flight.