I've always wondered why we haven't had more to choose from in terms of American style RPG's that really place a powerful emphasis on writing (story, dialogue, characters.) Basically, an interactive book.
We've seen more of it from Japanese RPG's like Final Fantasy...although, I wouldn't say that they've taken the idea all the way, either.
We're certainly capable of making the games, and there's a wide array of good Fantasy style writers. Also, the film industry shows ample talent for writing dialogue, voice acting, etc. An ambitious company could even just take a Neverwinter Nights engine or an Elder Scrolls engine and just go to town with writers, artists, voice actors, and game designers.
Instead, we see lots of "sandbox" types of American RPG's....which are great, I like them a whole bunch, but I want both. I have to wonder if people just don't read books anymore and don't realize what they are missing.
Anyway...maybe you won't like Oblivion...or, maybe you'd warm up to it eventually. If you don't, I would suggest Star Wars: Knights of the Old Repubic. It is completely different, and is far, far easier to get into....and also very good. Neverwinter Nights is good to try and has a more typical Fantasy genre than Star Wars, although I don't think the single player is as finely done as SW:KOTOR. It does however have multiplayer and role-playing value beyond the single player compaign along with custom content.
We've seen more of it from Japanese RPG's like Final Fantasy...although, I wouldn't say that they've taken the idea all the way, either.
We're certainly capable of making the games, and there's a wide array of good Fantasy style writers. Also, the film industry shows ample talent for writing dialogue, voice acting, etc. An ambitious company could even just take a Neverwinter Nights engine or an Elder Scrolls engine and just go to town with writers, artists, voice actors, and game designers.
Instead, we see lots of "sandbox" types of American RPG's....which are great, I like them a whole bunch, but I want both. I have to wonder if people just don't read books anymore and don't realize what they are missing.
Anyway...maybe you won't like Oblivion...or, maybe you'd warm up to it eventually. If you don't, I would suggest Star Wars: Knights of the Old Repubic. It is completely different, and is far, far easier to get into....and also very good. Neverwinter Nights is good to try and has a more typical Fantasy genre than Star Wars, although I don't think the single player is as finely done as SW:KOTOR. It does however have multiplayer and role-playing value beyond the single player compaign along with custom content.