Elf Blood

As I’m sure everybody understands, we all get cravings, once in a while; For food, for places, for films and whatnot. We just get this sudden urge to CONSUME something, and we feel restless until we can fulfil that need.

Well, I’ve had a craving recently for some good-old fantasy gaming. Something where I can unashamedly go and save the world, with none of the moral ambiguity and darkness of character of modern gaming. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, not by any stretch at all! It’s just nice to be able to play the hero every once in a while.

I probably bring that on myself a fair bit, right enough; Let me loose with any RPG and I’ll probably design a character who’s got all sorts of shady contacts and who specialises in killing of the kind that can’t be countered. Oh, sure, I’ll try and play them with some sort of code of ethics, but I’ll also probably be sneaking around, robbing the place blind while I’m at it; If anonymity and lack of consequence d0th reveal the man, then I’m an opportunistic jerk apparently, but one who’ll help you get your sweetroll back from the bully who took it from you.

And then I’ll pickpocket it back from you when you’re not looking.

That’s pretty much my Elder Scrolls build – High in stealth and able to deliver death over long distances via poison-tipped arrow. Forgotten Realms? Rogue, rogue, and rogue again. Hell, even in Deus Ex I’m all about the silenced weapons and picking up stuff wot ain’t nailed down.

Even a lot of the games that I have that try to railroad me away from the rogue-style gameplay are still just a little too involved; Final Fantasy 8, my most favoured FF story? High on drama and emotional involvement. Septerra Core? Complete crapsack world (highly influential on me and my style, mind). Titan Quest? Fun for a bit, but there’s no real character development.

I’m thinking of delving right back into my sack of epic fantasy, where heroes are heroes and the world is to be saved. I’m thinking something along the lines of the Legend of Zelda Oracles series, or (as I discovered to my delight is now being sold on GOG) ye olde cheesy hack’n’slash Silver. God, how I wasted much of 2002 playing Silver.

What’s your favourite RPG when you’re in a heroic mood? Any and all recommendations will be heartily received!

Toodleoo for now!

M.