Anyone else underwhelmed by the "romance" system?

Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 6:34 pm

Wouldn't that make it a willing sacrifice then? I mean, min/max players will also suffer through hours of grinding to get max number of perks and items, even if it's dull af.

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joeK
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 2:15 am

It's a shame most games are weak in the romance area. It can actually add a lot to a game. The best example I can think of would be Baldur's Gate 2. While a different game altogether (top down), even if the system was implemented in a game like this, it would still work just as well in terms of dialog and set the mood for the characters.

Actually a game likes that comes to mind. Dragon Age. BG2 added an interesting spin on things by activating after real half hours with someone. When a game breaks the 4th wall like that and times things well with you in any possible location you know it's doing something right. Much better then activating at scripted moments (eg: At this area in the level or after X points which will always happen in that way in that area). 'Course, say the wrong thing and it's all ruined. Kinda like in life I guess. Man, now I'm thinking how a game would be if you could "start fresh with past difficulties" if you mess up. Fallout might not be the best to get that in depth about it since we'd basically be making a whole other game at that point. But a different game? Hell yea!

I get it's not for you but there's such a thing as "erotic/romantic text". And there's plenty of entertainment both in books and on the net concerning that. And in games as well as I have already mentioned (There's more but that would be diving into the realm of smut with the addition of story). We all have real people (I hope), but there's always other people, both fact and fiction, that can entertain our minds as well as our bodies. And some things can't be done in reality, or otherwise go wrong when you tried it in reality yet can go right in fiction. Also it's never JUST about the romance/smut, it's the story/character development that comes with it as well. I could as easily say "I play games to be entertained yet I can drive a car in life instead of play a racing game." BOTH ways are fun in their own ways.

Fun fact. Some people prefer getting intimate in posts. As well as basically being there as a person. Which is not to say that the real thing gets neglected. Sometimes, for some people, it's easier to "type actions and words from your mind" then "Use real words and physical actions". Both display meaning and context ultimately. In that light text has become a form of "sign language". 'Course, if someone tried to "keep me on the net" I'd have to mention that I don't want to be netted forever, but many people don't mind that at all and choose to remain in that area for the most part. It's like one night stands at a bar sometimes. Other times it's like "We know each other well, let's take things slow in this area and not get married right away". Etc. So there's obviously an appeal to "computer/internet" romance/erotica. And of course, some things are MUCH easier to do in games. imagination. Like warm fire breath washing over someones cheek. Warm but not burning. And tails wrapping around legs. Things like that. You don't get that in life. Shame that one Argonian wife from Skyrim was so... tame. In terms of personality that is. Darr-ma from Oblivion would have been great in that area, even if she is less Argonian then the Morrowind ones. Always liked the Morrowind ones. Something about their walk. They feel like a different species because of that. Just goes to show there needs to be a mix of all things, not just romance. And due to personal taste there needs to be enough romantic opportunities in all areas.

We also need to keep in mind that life can get... dull. And be lacking in certain areas at times for certain people. It happens. An argument with the spouse perhaps. Needing to get "In the smut zone" before an engagement (Well written roleplay will beat Viagra any day). No such problems here myself but it's going to happen to others for sure. So immersing oneself in these things can be good practice (Ha, practicing romance in games before flirting with a girl) and help to at least pretend you're not as lonely as you are. Much like why we play mindless, violent games when we get angry. Beats depression.

And yes, there are dating sims, but those are so... they leave out everything else basically. The romance needs to be WITH the rest of everything else. For me it needs to be mixed in with other things to work. And not just romance, but everything else about characters too. Their dark sides. Bright sides. What makes them tick. All that good stuff.

Regarding the necklace thing in Skyrim. I personally found that stupid for EVERY significant other. Not everyone believes in marriage and the same deities. In fact, I'm pretty sure most people in ES games tend to pick one god/deadra over others. Add in things like "You're argonian, what about your way of things" not being there and you can see the problem. I would have liked a "Let's just be together in our own special way." option or something. That's what made it greats in BG2 and Dragon Age. It was different each time.

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Dan Stevens
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:58 am



Let's be blunt

Romance here was better than Skyrim.

The freindzone thing based on Luck and charisma? Eh. The fact that things are not automagicialy awarded at x number of points is good even if it's still game able
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Joie Perez
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:02 am

The biggest disappointment I have had with the companion/romance thus far, is that Piper who calls you "Blue", Has not said "You're my boy Blue" not even once.

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Adriana Lenzo
 
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Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:38 pm


This.

"Hey! Ya beat me in fisticuffs/picked a few plants/chopped some wood for me! That's all the information I ever needed to make a major life-altering decision and marry you!"
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Dragonz Dancer
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 5:54 am


I think you misunderstood, he meant advlts only rated animated advlt situations ;) Something that would never be in the game.

Well, anymore. I have read the Daggerfall version of Queen Barenziah's biography :hehe:
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Fanny Rouyé
 
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Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 4:44 pm

To be fair, it's hard to make a romance system WORSE then Skyrim.

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cheryl wright
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:12 am

There's romance?

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Jay Baby
 
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Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 5:21 pm

You become friends with a character in a matter of hours and "sleep" with them. There's no holding hands, no romance speak, nothing that would indicate a real relationship beyond an animation suggesting you had six after sleeping in the same room.
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Rhi Edwards
 
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Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:05 pm

It's not about saying the right pick up lines, it's about how charismatic you are.

The main difference between boy and girls (mostly because of stupid social rules) is that for a man it will affect how many "yes" he will get while for a girl it will be the number of willing guys from which she will be able to pick her choice.

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Cedric Pearson
 
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Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 4:39 pm

Cullen is a god. But that said, I found Dorian to be one of the best romances I've ever seen in a game. I was just amazed of the good job BW did with him. Also. Cassandra was fun too. That whole books scene was very funny and touching.

It's unfortunate that none of the companions in this game are as thrilling. But while BW is about that Beth is not.

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Dewayne Quattlebaum
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:06 am

Just a few points. I acknowledge that Fallout 4's system is better than Skyrim's. What I did suggest, however, is it's not much of an improvement. Yeah, you have to meet charisma checks instead of just having a necklace and doing an arbitrary quest, but the "romance" is still largely laughable.

No. This thread isn't about wanting six scenes. It's not about wanting nudity. What this thread is about is building more compelling and interesting relationships with companions. In general, companions have been pretty atrocious in BGS games. Aside from Serana and now the companions in Fallout 4, BGS has never done a compelling job of building relationships or friendships. I see "romance" as merely another step into building more compelling relationships to make you care about these "pixels."

That's what I want. I want value in who I am talking to. I don't want gratuitous or titillating scenes. I just want depth in these relationships. That's all. As it stands, there is no more depth in Fallout 4 than there is in Skyrim, beyond a few persuasion cues and some occasional conversations with your companion. That's not much of an upgrade in my opinion.

Mods are not a solution and cannot fix this problem. This is something BGS has to resolve. Again, as the OP stated, I'm not expecting BioWare/CDPR-level effort. However, aside from the six scenes, you actually do believe many of the relationships in those games are actually genuine and well-developed. I just want more value in talking to these companions is all. I think that's fairly reasonable.

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Trish
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:17 am

I does seem a little pointless. The only thing you get out of it is a little xp when Flirting and an extra 5% rested XP so it's less than what was in Skyrim. All companions give a perk if you max out their influence, it doesn't matter if you romance them or not.

I know with Piper you need to successfully Flirt with her otherwise there's no romance, I found I needed a 8 CHA to start getting successful Flirts. When I first went through her conversations I only succeeded on one Flirt and she ended up saying she just wanted to be friends. So I reloaded to when I first entered Diamond City and worked on my charisma before trying to Flirt. So it seems that if you don't take a high CHA build then there's no romance for you.

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Mike Plumley
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 1:09 am

That's correct, and one of the systemic issues with the current romance system. It's gated by charisma and only charisma, which is silly. While charisma should make it easier to pursue a relationship, it shouldn't be required. I just happen to always make high charisma characters, so it wasn't an issue for me, but everybody shouldn't be required to have charisma.

Not everybody in real life is charismatic, yet it's fair to say most people engage in a romantic relationship at least once in their lives. Much like BioWare games, I think relationships should be continued through building affection, like the game already has. Through spending time and building affection with the companion, the romance should come naturally.

As it stands, if you don't use a charisma build, you are obligated to put on clothing that builds charisma as well as green medtats. From that perspective, romances in Skyrim are actually better because they aren't gated by an arbitrary stat. Everybody has access as long as you have the necklace and you've completed a quest for that companion.

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Alister Scott
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 2:17 am

Romance makes no sense as it stands now in the game anyway. Why would your character want to jump into a relationship while the death of your wife/husband is still fresh in their mind, and their vulnerable infant child is out there in the wasteland in danger? I could see a relationship developing sometime after the events of the main story, when the PC is now faced with starting a new life in this new world, but until the situation with his son is settled, it only makes sense that your character would be unavailable emotionally.

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StunnaLiike FiiFii
 
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Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 6:53 pm

Thanks for giving me one potato>It's a fine day with you around>Is that an Amulet of Mara?>Helllllooooo my love, back from some adventure I bet!!

That's as deep as it gets.

Edit: People praising Serana need to put into perspective that she had an entire questline of character development. Dawnguard was pretty much her show with the Dragonborn being the guest star. Unless BGS decides to dedicate entire questlines to companions don't expect Serana to be the 'rule' but it's 'exception'.

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Nathan Risch
 
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Post » Mon Nov 30, 2015 12:58 am

That's completely wrong. If you are not playing the game at least watch some YouTube vids. Each 'romance' path has several cut-scenes where feelings and romance are discussed.

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xx_Jess_xx
 
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Post » Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:16 pm

Maybe to take their mind off the pain and move on? To be quite honest, the SS doesn't have a lot of time to mourn when the entire wasteland is out to kill him/her. Grieving is a luxury he/she doesn't have and I don't see anything unrealistic about what started off as a companion you had a friendship developing into something more. My only gripe is how short the actual interactions are until you complete the "romance." I think there were maybe four flirt options with Piper before it was over?

That's exactly what I would love for BGS to do. Incorporate these companions into the actual questlines more for better character development. It's what BioWare and CDPR do, which is part of the reason why the characters from their games are so popular and loved. You actually get to know these characters, whereas in BGS games companions are literally nothing more than clunky, pack mules. At least in Fallout 4 there is admittedly some dialogue and character development. However, it's still the bare-bones minimum. Serana should not be the "exception," but instead the "rule."

There are dialogue sequences in which you can "flirt." At least with Piper, there was never any romance discussed at all. You merely talked about her past and primarily her sister. The only time she admits she has any feelings for you is passing the final persuasion check, which is when the "romance" has been completed. So I wouldn't exactly say that poster was "completely wrong." Again, for something BGS was claiming to be a romance system better than Skyrim, it's not much better.

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Symone Velez
 
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