People understandably love to hate Oblivion and Fallout 3, but I feel the side quest writing had heart, like groups of devs got to go wild within their own little dungeons. Their exploitable mechanics were kinda endearing.

…And I didn’t get that from Starfield? I really tried to overlook the nostalgia factor, but all the writing felt… corporate. Gameplay, animation, Bethesda jank without any of the fun. I abandoned it early and tried to see what I was missing on YouTube, but still don't "get" what people see in that game.

If you want a big walking sandbox in that vein, I feel like No Man's Sky would scratch the itch far better, no?

Meanwhile, BG3 and KC2 completely floored me. So did Cyberpunk 2077, though I only experienced it patched up and modded. Heck, even ME Andromeda felt more compelling to me.

[–] variouslegumes@reddthat.com 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oblivion is my favorite Elder Scrolls. I actually played it again recently and thought it held up pretty well. I'm a sucker for wandering lush bucolic landscapes though.

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I’m a sucker for wandering lush bucolic landscapes though.

You should play KC Deliverance 2 if you haven’t. Its forests and rural villages are freaking gorgeous, especially for how "easy" it is to run.

[–] variouslegumes@reddthat.com 1 points 1 day ago

Yes! I've played a fair bit of KCD 2. Really enjoying it!

[–] cuteness@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 day ago

I got Cyberpunk in December and KCD2 in February. At this point I’m convinced I’ve spoiled the entire RPG genre for myself for the next decade. I can’t imagine playing 2 great games back to back like that again.