And lo on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:17:07 -0000, Warp <war### [at] tagpovrayorg> did  
spake, saying:

> Mike the Elder <nomail@nomail> wrote:
>> Here's the mystery: How could the same people who
>> could create art and story components which display virtually  
>> indisputable
>> evidence of rather advanced aesthetic and intellectual sensibilities  
>> produce
>> and publish a game in which the player is compelled to spend the great  
>> majority
>> of playing time in INSANELY frequent and absolutely pointless battles  
>> with silly
>> monsters?
>
>   From an outsider point of view most of the battles in RPGs (be it  
> Japanese
> style or western style) seem pointless and boring. However, somehow when
> you actually play the game, it can be quite addictive. (Why do you think
> these games sell so much?)
>   It's not only about mindless killing. It's about combat tactics and
> leveling up.

No it's just grind - Oh look I get to fight these same three 'random'  
baddies who are using exactly the same tactics as the last ones. Why am I  
doing this rather then just running away or through them? Because if I  
don't level up then by the time I reach the end-boss it'll be one 9999  
attack and all my characters are dead.

I tried it once with... Final Fantasy X or possibly VIII, I went through  
the story with the minimum amount of roaming and repetition, got to the  
end and got wiped out because none of my attacks could put a dent in the  
bad guy/women/thing with tentacles and all its unavoidable attacks wiped  
out my party's health instantly.

I don't like games where the optional extras aren't really optional if you  
actually want to finish.

-- 
Phil Cook

--
I once tried to be apathetic, but I just couldn't be bothered
http://flipc.blogspot.com

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