Castle Paradox

msw188 · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1041

I'm wondering how many people here are fans of the old turn-based battle system, as opposed to the now more prevalent 'action-meter' system. I'll admit that when I first played Final Fantasy III, I thought that this action-meter thing was really cool, but as I played more I began to realize that I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much. Turn-based battling gives you real time to think out a strategy. I realize that it is not as realistic, but I don't play games for realism (one of the worst ideas to become 'important' to programmers, in my opinion), I play them for fun. The challenge of a battle where careful planning is needed is much more entertaining for me than that of one where you have to be quick or you will get attacked while you are thinking. And effect magic seems so much less useful in action-meter battle, with the possible exception of speed type magic. The only thing I like better about turn-based battle is the sensibility of healing.

Grandtrain · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 85

I think turn-based battles would indeed allow for more strategy. However, I don't think I have seen a game that really did take advantage of it.

Setu_Firestorm · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 6:33 am Post subject:

I kinda like turn-based a lot better....even though active-based is a lot more realistic.
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Shadowiii · **It's been real.** Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 2460

The only games with an ATB battle system are Final Fantasy or its spawns. Even Xenogears, which had the gauge, was really a turn based. I was just playing Golden Sun, then Lunar Legend and...they are all turn based. So basically the only "Active" battles are in the FF series and Chrono Trigger.

I have no preference. Though I prefer active battles (more exciting) I do like the old school feel of turn based. Except FF1. That game can get so boring, especially because it takes so long to select your moves. Of course, FF2, FF3 are worse...eh. The NES still rocked though. Raspberry!

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Mr B · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 382

I have got to admit that I kind of like turn-based also. (is that only because MarioRPG is the only RPG I've ever finished? I don't know)

The problem is, turn-based doen't allow much for speed, I think. Not like ATB does. But it allows you to pause and think about things, which I really like.

msw188 · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1041

It is true that speed is not as important in turn-based battle, but it can still play a major role. In many ways, knowing your character's speeds in relation to each other (and your enemies') is what is most important for thinking about how to conduct your turn.
I think that in general, turn-based battle requires a player to simply know more about their players and their enemies, and how to use spells etc. Otherwise, a player could very well end up wasting a valuable turn. In action-based battle, since your actions are immediate, you don't think as far into the future when deciding what to do.

Shadowiii · **It's been real.** Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 2460

Exactly. Turn Based requires you to think, and gives you a longer time to do it. Active makes it so you have to be reasonably quick thinking...or you'll die.
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DemocraticAnarchist · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 2:10 pm Post subject:

ATB sometimes forces you to attack with the closest attack to hand, not allowing for stratagising. Have to say, i would have enjoued FF6 much more if it was TB. So TB wins it for me.
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Cube · **Dimensional Traveller** Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 294

I'd just like to point out that the reason no other RPG out there besides certain Square RPGs have used the ATB system is because Square has it patented. Nobody else can use it but them.

But yeah, I like turn based systems more anyhow.

Sephyroth · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:43 pm Post subject:

Hmm.. I had an idea for a battle system once that combined Action and Turn based systems...

RPGrealm5 · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 4:08 pm Post subject:

Screw realism. That's not what I'm looking for in an RPG, it's good gameplay. I prefer the Turn Based system over ATB. However an alternative to that in ATB is just pausing the game and thinking out your strategy. Of course not all games will allow you to pause, but Turn Based games are more enjoyable...
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msw188 · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1041

Square has the action-meter patented? That sounds a little screwy to me, since turn-based is only considered the norm because it was first. Why should an entire format of play be allowed to be patented? That's almost like saying that a band could patent the use of some instrument in some scale. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Nevertheless, it seems that a fair majority of people here prefer turn-based battle to the action-meter battle. Does James know this? Is he planning on having this kind of thing an option (or even the default) for HamsterWheel (I'm refering to the new engine that he had been working on, I can't remember if that is the name)? In any case, I've been thinking about trying to plotscript a turn-based battle system for some time now, but I don't really have the time or motivation to do so. Especially graphics wise - I have no desire to work through the various aspects of battle graphics. But I do know that many people have made custom battle systems; are many of them turn-based?

RedMaverickZero · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 4:57 pm Post subject:

I personally like the ATB. It's simple to say the least. Then again, I never have used the Turn Base much. But I like the ATB. So yeah... But TB would be good for boss battles on the standpoint it would make em tougher.
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Iblis · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 4:59 pm Post subject:

I like both systems. I'm perfectly happy with either.

It would be cool if the OHR could do turn-based, without plotscripting.
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madhatter · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 5:05 pm Post subject:

I like turn-based. I'm not very quick-thinking when it comes to RPGs. The only thing where I don't mind time limits is action games, since usually in those you can happily thrash/shoot/fill in the blank your way through with not much thinking.