StaceyPowers

Fallout 76 has been something of a PR disaster for Bethesda. I know that there are a lot of folks who actually really like the game despite its flaws, but the voices of those who are disappointed with it are definitely the loudest. I don’t know what that reception will mean for the franchise’s future—I really hope there will be more Fallout games though. If there is a next Fallout game, what should it be? Where and when would you want it to take place? Would you want it to be a single player or multiplayer game?

Are there any video game characters you have found it particularly easy to relate to in some way? I find it easy to relate to Leliana in Dragon Age. Her personality and interests when she was younger remind me of mine when I was young (not as dramatic on my end of course), as does her evolution in Origins (and Leliana’s Song) toward replacing that with purpose and the desire to do right by others. I also love how she is able to reconcile her past in Origins and kind of bring both aspects of herself together in a more focused way. I’d like to be more like her in that respect.

I will be starting my first-ever playthrough of the original Red Dead Redemption soon. Anyone have any spoiler-free advice for getting the most out of the game?

That's true. What I found interesting is that in Booker's case, the same traits (his revulsion at the evils of the world and his part in them) that drove him toward damnation in one world were also essential to his salvation in the other. It was just a question of how they were directed. Anyway, the game has a lot to say about free will, free choice (not necessarily identical), and some comments on Christianity that I found interesting.

Okay, MASSIVE SPOILERS FOLLOW. Booker DeWitt is a fascinating protagonist because it turns out that he's also the game's antagonist, Comstock. His self from a parallel universe is the enemy he is battling through the entire game. But what makes this particularly interesting is that there is a deep logic to the situation. Booker's past involved him doing some horrible things and being exposed to some terrible situations (incidentally based on real world events). He was deeply traumatized by this, and in the other universe, he coped with the monstrous things he had done by going all out and embracing that monstrosity. So in a surprisingly literal way, Booker is battling his own psychological and spiritual demons through the game. Through the grace of his daughter and the force of his own will, he makes a choice at the end of the game to erase all possible futures as Comstock. Considering the evil within him was momentous enough to almost destroy the multiverse, the fact that he managed to beat it speaks volumes to his ultimate goodness.

Following up on @killamch89 's thread here: https://www.vgr.com/forum/topic/3524-most-interesting-video-game-protagonist/ Who are some of the most interesting video game antagonists? I would go with Zachary Hale Comstock in Bioshock Infinite, but saying why would be a spoiler. I also have enjoyed some of the antagonists in Dragon Age. I've only finished playing through Origins and the DLCs so far, but I found Loghain a well-developed and interesting character, and also the Architect in Awakening. Notably, they're both Well Intentioned Extremists, so I suppose I find those sorts of characters compelling.

Booker DeWitt, but it's hard to explain anything about "why" without massive spoilers for anyone who hasn't played Bioshock Infinite.

We usually talk console games here, but does anyone want to reminisce about old PC games they loved? The games I remember most fondly are Myst and Return to Zork. Oh, and Heaven and Earth.

True! Sometimes I can't be bothered with that either.

That's very exciting. I just finished my first playthrough of Origins and the DLCs, and am about to start DA II.

Follow-up question: What video games have the best character development?

I feel the exact same way about the issue - exactly why I asked :) By the way, I really enjoy your articles, so it's great to see you here on the forum!

In huge open world games where fast traveling is an option, how often do you do it, and do you have any “rules” for allowing yourself? Normally, I try to avoid fast traveling unless it’s to help me get around some kind of a glitch, or because I forgot to do something back in a previous location (i.e. buy something before I left). The rest of the time, I try to walk or use in-game transit options.

How often do you read or collect materials associated with your favorite games, i.e. novels written to fill in the blanks for a particular franchise? Any particularly good books or comics you’ve read that enhanced your appreciation for a certain game?

Favorite TV show during the 90s? (if that applies to you)

Do books count as a toy? lol.

I've mostly hesitated to buy a new Dualshock 3 just because of how quickly mine have died on me, but I've never owned one that wasn't used before. What type of lifetime is typical?

Nope, not even while playing MMOs. Having played male and female characters, I didn't find that my experience was all that different. There were different social expectations, but nobody complained when I didn't fit their preconceptions in either case. It's IRL that I usually deal with discrimination, but it usually hasn't been because of my sex. Good to see you around again :)

Favorite quests in any Bethesda games you play?

Anyone ever deal with annoying dragon spawn related glitches in Skyrim? Literally every time I try to fast travel or walk to Karthwasten, I encounter two dragons simultaneously. There is no getting around it. On that note, does anyone have bugs with Bend Will? When I use it, it works initially, but the dragon almost always turns hostile again a few minutes later. I then have to fight it or Bend Will again. This can go on an indefinite loop before it finally decides to fly off somewhere else.

This could be an issue with eye strain, or it could have something to do with posture/muscle tension/cervicogenic issues. Where do you typically feel the pain?

What are some of the best and worst aftermarket controllers you have used for any system? I’ve had two DualShock 3s die on me within a relatively short time period (both were used when I got them). I have a couple of aftermarket controllers right now. One of them is a bit buggy with connecting after shutting itself off during inactivity, while the other is pretty much okay. But the sensitivity on both is ridiculously high. Would love any suggestions if anyone has found anything good.

I'm on PS3. I think it's just that there are so darn many screens, and I never remember which order they are in, so I always go the most convoluted way around to reach the quest list, etc. And a lot of screens (i.e. herbalism) I had to look up online how to find. I haven't started Dragon Age 2 yet, I just finished Awakening. I've heard that the menus get even more annoying ... I can't wait, lol.

I actually liked that vault, lol, but it was a bit mazelike. And yes, I hate those animal puzzles. Having to search dark corners to find the combinations isn't really puzzle-solving, just ... being frustrated by dark corners.

Which games do you feel have the best and worst menu systems? I like the minimalism of the menus in The Las of Us a lot, but I do find them less than intuitive in some ways. The worst menus I’ve dealt with so far are the convoluted ones in Dragon Age: Origins. I am used to them by now, but the initial learning curve was ridiculously steep for me.