Random Suggestions..

Ok, here Ill list a number of suggestions as they come into my head. Sorry if have been mentioned before...

1) Better Game Balance
This is pretty straightforward, I mean just the fact that the manual states that a melee/magick character is the easiest way to play, shows the game is not eniterly balanced. How to fix this? Well look at a game like Fallout 2. If you go around killing everything... well maybe except for later in the game (aliens), you wont get as far as if you solve quests. Therefore there's balance there, and I think this should be the same. You should get more exp for succesfully talking your way around something, or using your theif skills, as opposed to simply blowing the crap out of everyone (to a point where its balanced of course).
Also, have different experience for fighting. If something is of a much lower level then you, you'll receive less exp. Being able to level off kites or ailing wolves at high levels is stupid.

2) Experience bars
Why is it so hard to have a table listing how much experience you gained for your most recent actions, as well as your most recent actions.

3) Party Experience
I think that the party should level, not when you level up, but also on their own accord. Of course that would mean they need less exp to level up (Virgil needs 100,000+ for level 30?), but it would be good as you could go back for party members later and still have them level up.

4) Improved battle system
I guess this relates back to my inbalance issue. I mean, with 20 dexterity, you have 25 speed. Which = 25 actions per turn. Thats about 8 actions that I can dish out per turn, which not much can survive. (with my melee character). Not only should there be less actions but there should be more factors in fighting.
Perhaps ability to issue orders in mid battle, and to set formations. Although, in the battle that we have now, this is seldom needed. So harder battles. Throw in more mages or guys with big guns to make it more interesting.

5) Customizing Weapons
Ok, I know naming weapons has been mentioned, however how about blacksmiths creating completley new weapons for you? Kind of like a schematic, however only known to the blacksmith. E.g. Put all those gems to a good use and create things like diamond sword/emerald dagger etc.

6) More random weapons
When I think of this idea I think of Diablo 2. I think that weapons should have varying stats, this would make the game more exciting, trying to find a great sword or a great armor.
For example, not every dread armor would be EXACTLY the same. Some might have greater DR others less AC, and so some stats should be a bit random. This can be balanced so you dont just get a godly dread armor to start with.
Also, I mentioned Diablo 2, if anyone has played that Im thinking sort of like the magic/rare items in that. Have a bunch of random stats on some of the items you find in chests or whatever, so everytime is a bit different.

The main reason for this, is to eliminate those 'ultimate weapons', e.g. elephant gun, aerial decapitator, kryggird's falchion (although admittedly you dont have too big a chance to use it) etc. Those weapons can still exist, and probablly have the highest damage, but there should be more randomness in the world of Arcanum so you can be thinking of wether to use the kryggird's falchion, or the less powerful falchion you found but with +5 strength or +50 magic alignment or something.

7) World Map
Ok quick one now. Maybe the ability to go straight to the world map even if your in town? Just a time saving option... I dont really mind running to the outskirts of town but in towns like Tarant it could be a nice time saver.

8) Reputations
Ok final one now. Ill refer to Fallout once again (yeh I know, Fallout this game is not, but still...). I liked the reputiations of each town in that game, they either loathed you, disliked you, were neutral, liked you or loved you. I think that should be incorportated into this.
As well as the different (forgot the name...) reputations you could get e.g. prize fighter, porn actor, child killer etc. Those were always fun to try and get after you completed the game


Alright thats it, feel free to leave any comments (even if their to say my ideas suck), this was all of the top of my head, so some of it may be stupid in retrospect... anyway what you waiting for... reply!

 

1. Yes, everyone longs for more balance with Arcanum. That's one thing it lacked.

2. Well, I think that it saves space to just tell number-wise how many xp points you have and how many you need, instead of a long list of stuff like on Fallout.

3. I think that the party DOES level up.

4. Yes, I agree with that too. It makes it much too easy.

5. This is only good if there is a REASON to create new weapons, such as the ability to enchant them, but not just give them names.

6. There are some chests that give random weapons, but, yes, it is nice to have a few surprises.

7. I agree completely. It would also be nice to have points to make it easier to arrive at certain parts of town, like on Fallout.

8. Although it's not written down, there ARE reputations to a point. If you do alot of killing in a city, the whole city will attack you on sight.

 

I agree with all of your suggestions, but especially with that last one about reputations. The reputation system in Arcanum wasn't put to much use. It was very basic. I'd like to see some more complex reactions to what you do. Perhaps you complete a ton of quests for villagers of a certain town in a "good" (i.e. not evil) way, then they really start to like you and some shopkeepers may give you a few free items (such as healing potions, bullets, arrows, fuel, whatever you buy most often) on occasion after you've been away on a journey. But if you get caught stealing something, you'll be sent to jail, (followed by a sort of puzzle sequence in which you must escape from jail...though thats just another idea I had...completely unrelated to reputations) the whole story will appear in the paper the next morning (with a headline like "LOCAL HERO TURNED THIEF IS LOCKED UP!")and your reputation will be ruined until you can redeem yourself by doing more good quests. After your reputation is ruined, some villagers may not want your help when you ask if they have any quests for you, and shopkeepers will charge you extra because they assume you've stolen from them in the past and they are trying to make up for that (by charging extra). I think this is a lot cooler than just getting attacked on sight when you get caught stealing. If you're caught by a villager, then they'll go screaming to the guards who will come and tell you to halt etc. and demand that you give up. If you don't, then you'll have to fight it out with the guards, but if you choose to fight, every guard in the city or wherever won't instantly turn against you. If you manage to kill or subdue the guards, then you have a chance to escape because not all guards are aware of what you've done...yet. But if you try to return to the town, they'll remember you and arrest you again. If you go peacefully, then you'll be taken to jail, as mentioned before, and you'll be fined considerably. Then you'll have to escape from jail. Or you can live out your sentence like in Morrowind, but your level will be lowered a little.

Well, I definitely didn't intend to type all that, and most of it is pretty much unrelated to reputations, but they are really cool ideas, in my opinion. Tell me what ya think.

 

Ok, Xeno, Im sure the party doesnt level up after testing myself. I got sogg when I was about level 15 (realising I had left him a bit late). Looking at his experience, he needed only 2500experience. As level 15 I needed quite a bit more. But he ONLY levelled once I reached level 16.

Samwise, I like that jail idea. I mean, in reality if you tried stealing everyone wouldnt just try to kill you at once. Perhaps your stuck in jail and have to fight your way out unarmed. Or if your not the violent type, talk your way out of your sentance, or if your the thief lure the guard over and steal his key.

Actually I love that whole thing, the game would be so much more realistic and interesting.
Also, perhaps by becoming known as a theif some quests are opened up, as those who thought you were good now see you as a potential theif for them.
I also like the free items idea - who wouldnt!

 

Well, as I think you proved yourself, your party does level up. It just does so when you do instead of by itself. Still levels up, though.