Lets measure the crpg-ingredients for Geneforge 4:
To determine if a game should apply to a certain level, all the mentioned demands must be fulfilled in that level and the levels below.
CRPG Categories: Story, Characters, NPC’s, Gameworld, Manipulation, Combat.
Other interesting categories: Graphics, Sound, Game length, Difficulty, Perspective and Play-style.
Each category is divided into 6 frames from "none" to "Heavy" CRGP-elements giving a score from 0 to 5 points.
A games points from each category will be added together and then divided with 6 and will classify it's CRPG-score to the following list:
RPG-Elements Score 0 - < 1 point => "No CRPG"
RPG-Elements Score 1 - < 2 points => "CRPG ultra light"
RPG-Elements Score 2- < 3 points => "CRPG light"
RPG-Elements Score 3 - < 4 points => "CRPG"
RPG-Elements Score 4 - 5 Points => "CRPG Heavy"
The RPG-element categories and their 6 scores/frames.
STORY:
questions:
- How many quests, side quests, puzzles, riddles are in the game ?
Lots of side-quests, 2 main quests (play a shaper or a rebel), only a few puzzles or riddles.
- How great is the non-linearity of the game - can the quests be solved in more than one way ?
great non-linearity, many quests can be solved in more than one way.
- How many side-stories, legends in books or from NPC's are told ?
a few side side stories are told, legends, secrets are rare, some links to Genoeforge 1-3
- Are there different game-endings ?
yes - 3 endings -> maybe more
is it a game with many choices and consequences ?
yes
No: 0 Points:
-The story is told in the beginning, and finished in the end, AND is not changeable during the game.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-A Few ”events” (NPC’s, happenings (Disasters, divine influences etc), Full movies interludes etc.) evolves the story, but still in a given path.
Light: 2 points:
-The story is developing through chapters or milestones, which still have an almost fixed path.
-A very few side stories/quests, OR noticeably different paths you can take to advance the same story, are available.
Medium: 3 points:
-The story develops as the game proceeds, meaning new information’s/events contribute for developing of the story on a frequent basis.
-Events (See above) impact on the story are considerable,
-The gamers actions have considerable impact on the development of the story.
-More than one path is possible in the ”main” story. Not necessarily more endings, just the possibility to choose between different “story” path’s of the “main story”. (Side quests not directly related to main story don’t count).
-A few side stories/quests besides the “main story” must be available.
More: 4 points:
-A few different endings is possible
-More than 2 ways to go through the story
-Lots of side stories/quests are required.
-Quests or tasks got often more than one solution!
Heavy: 5 points:
-Very open ended, with very high replay value regarding the story alone.
-Many events will contribute to many side / main story topics and respond to many different approaches from the player.
-Lots of books or other materials can give additional information’s about world for the interested player.
Geneforge 4: 5 points
CHARACTER:
questions:
- How many different characters can you play ? (race, gender, profession, ...)
5 basic character types
Soldier, Infiltrator, Servile, Lifecrafter, Shocktrooper
- How many different skills can be choosen for your character(s) ?
19
- How many different traits can be choosen for your character(s) ?
no traits
- How many levels can be reached ?
Level 40 is a common end level.
- How much can the character(s) be changed at each level ?
you get 5 learning points at each level, that can be used for increasing skills
- How many guilds, groups can be joined ?
Rebels, Shapers, work for both and the Trakovites
- How many different ranks in these guilds can be achieved ?
No ranking with ranks, but you can achieve a reputation value, with a higher reputation you can access new quests and gear
- Can you get a reputation ?
see above - a reputation can be achieved for rebels and shapers
No: 0 Points:
-No development other than a better weapon, armour and a few pre-distributed skill points after each chapter / milestone.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-Max 2 points to distribute on the character(s) abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and a maximum of 10 upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
Light: 2 points:
-Max 5 points to distribute on the character(s) at least 5+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 10+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
-A minimum of social development / regards in the game-world societies is necessary) (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Medium: 3 points:
-More than 5+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 10+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 15+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
-The characters can have considerable social impact on more than one society / guild. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
More : 4 points:
-Now a party of at least 3 fully controlled characters should be possible,
-The choice from different professions / races should give a combination of at least 10 possible different characters (Note: Different mug-shots don’t count).
-Considerable social impact on more than 2 societies / guilds is possible. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Heavy: 5 points:
-More than 10+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 15+abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 20+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
-+15 different races/ professions to choose from.
-Plenty of societies/guilds which the characters have a social impact on. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Genforge 4: 4 points
NPC-INTERACTION:
- How many dialogues are in the game ?
many
- How many dialogue options do you have ?
only a few
- Are these options depending on your skills, alignment or deeds ?
There are depending on a) finished quests and reputation
- Have your answers an influence on the game ?
yes
- Have the NPC's a life of their own ?
yes
- Is trading available / is it balanced ?
yes and yes
No: 0 points:
-Few NPC's most only merchants.
-Pre-determined dialogues.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-The dialogues now have a few options, but it still contribute to the same story, AND each choice is reversible in consequence.
Light: 2 points:
-NPC's are presented in small societies, AND some of them can make a difference in further development of the game.
Medium: 3 points:
-NPC's acts truly as a part of a bigger community.
-NPC's in each society are much aware about social status also toward your characters.
-More than one society with NPC's are present in the world.
More: 4 points:
-There are fleshed out dialogue trees,
-Choices is most final and irreversible.
-NPC’s have considerable impact on the amount of Main / side- stories.
Heavy: 5 points:
-NPC's are aware of the continuously developing situation in the game-world, AND react clearly to the gamers actions and deeds.
-More than 2 bigger societies of NPC's must be available.
-Reputation, skills, alignment, attitude etc. have considerable impact on the NPC reaction.
Geneforge 4: 5 points
GAMEWORLD:
No: 0 points:
-The task to get from A to B has no or few options to go away from a fixed physical path.
-The game-world only inhabits monsters and a few merchants.
-The world is without (none monster) societies.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-Still a strict physical path, but with a few small societies on your way.
Light: 2 points:
-A few areas are optional on your path each chapter / milestone.
-Societies will give some quest / story material.
Medium: 3 points:
-There are at least several physical path's to choose between, AND more will open up as the game proceeds.
-Societies must give the feeling of a live community, with their own daily business, AND not just a few NPC's waiting for the hero's to come along and pass on a few quests.
-The size of the game-world must be considerable.
More: 4 points:
-Societies must be very different and have strong relation to the game-world and each other.
-We are no longer talking about a few path's when exploring the world.
-The appearance of monsters and societies must make common sense.
Heavy: 5 points:
-The world is totally open for extreme freedom to explore, AND it's your own task to decide if your character(s) are good enough
to take on the different part of the world.
-The diversity of the game-world environment must be significant.
-Day & night cycles, and different weather conditions and /or different seasons.
Genforge 4: 3.5 points
To determine if a game should apply to a certain level, all the mentioned demands must be fulfilled in that level and the levels below.
CRPG Categories: Story, Characters, NPC’s, Gameworld, Manipulation, Combat.
Other interesting categories: Graphics, Sound, Game length, Difficulty, Perspective and Play-style.
Each category is divided into 6 frames from "none" to "Heavy" CRGP-elements giving a score from 0 to 5 points.
A games points from each category will be added together and then divided with 6 and will classify it's CRPG-score to the following list:
RPG-Elements Score 0 - < 1 point => "No CRPG"
RPG-Elements Score 1 - < 2 points => "CRPG ultra light"
RPG-Elements Score 2- < 3 points => "CRPG light"
RPG-Elements Score 3 - < 4 points => "CRPG"
RPG-Elements Score 4 - 5 Points => "CRPG Heavy"
The RPG-element categories and their 6 scores/frames.
STORY:
questions:
- How many quests, side quests, puzzles, riddles are in the game ?
Lots of side-quests, 2 main quests (play a shaper or a rebel), only a few puzzles or riddles.
- How great is the non-linearity of the game - can the quests be solved in more than one way ?
great non-linearity, many quests can be solved in more than one way.
- How many side-stories, legends in books or from NPC's are told ?
a few side side stories are told, legends, secrets are rare, some links to Genoeforge 1-3
- Are there different game-endings ?
yes - 3 endings -> maybe more
is it a game with many choices and consequences ?
yes
No: 0 Points:
-The story is told in the beginning, and finished in the end, AND is not changeable during the game.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-A Few ”events” (NPC’s, happenings (Disasters, divine influences etc), Full movies interludes etc.) evolves the story, but still in a given path.
Light: 2 points:
-The story is developing through chapters or milestones, which still have an almost fixed path.
-A very few side stories/quests, OR noticeably different paths you can take to advance the same story, are available.
Medium: 3 points:
-The story develops as the game proceeds, meaning new information’s/events contribute for developing of the story on a frequent basis.
-Events (See above) impact on the story are considerable,
-The gamers actions have considerable impact on the development of the story.
-More than one path is possible in the ”main” story. Not necessarily more endings, just the possibility to choose between different “story” path’s of the “main story”. (Side quests not directly related to main story don’t count).
-A few side stories/quests besides the “main story” must be available.
More: 4 points:
-A few different endings is possible
-More than 2 ways to go through the story
-Lots of side stories/quests are required.
-Quests or tasks got often more than one solution!
Heavy: 5 points:
-Very open ended, with very high replay value regarding the story alone.
-Many events will contribute to many side / main story topics and respond to many different approaches from the player.
-Lots of books or other materials can give additional information’s about world for the interested player.
Geneforge 4: 5 points
CHARACTER:
questions:
- How many different characters can you play ? (race, gender, profession, ...)
5 basic character types
Soldier, Infiltrator, Servile, Lifecrafter, Shocktrooper
- How many different skills can be choosen for your character(s) ?
19
- How many different traits can be choosen for your character(s) ?
no traits
- How many levels can be reached ?
Level 40 is a common end level.
- How much can the character(s) be changed at each level ?
you get 5 learning points at each level, that can be used for increasing skills
- How many guilds, groups can be joined ?
Rebels, Shapers, work for both and the Trakovites
- How many different ranks in these guilds can be achieved ?
No ranking with ranks, but you can achieve a reputation value, with a higher reputation you can access new quests and gear
- Can you get a reputation ?
see above - a reputation can be achieved for rebels and shapers
No: 0 Points:
-No development other than a better weapon, armour and a few pre-distributed skill points after each chapter / milestone.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-Max 2 points to distribute on the character(s) abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and a maximum of 10 upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
Light: 2 points:
-Max 5 points to distribute on the character(s) at least 5+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 10+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
-A minimum of social development / regards in the game-world societies is necessary) (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Medium: 3 points:
-More than 5+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 10+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 15+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
-The characters can have considerable social impact on more than one society / guild. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
More : 4 points:
-Now a party of at least 3 fully controlled characters should be possible,
-The choice from different professions / races should give a combination of at least 10 possible different characters (Note: Different mug-shots don’t count).
-Considerable social impact on more than 2 societies / guilds is possible. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Heavy: 5 points:
-More than 10+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 15+abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 20+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
-+15 different races/ professions to choose from.
-Plenty of societies/guilds which the characters have a social impact on. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Genforge 4: 4 points
NPC-INTERACTION:
- How many dialogues are in the game ?
many
- How many dialogue options do you have ?
only a few
- Are these options depending on your skills, alignment or deeds ?
There are depending on a) finished quests and reputation
- Have your answers an influence on the game ?
yes
- Have the NPC's a life of their own ?
yes
- Is trading available / is it balanced ?
yes and yes
No: 0 points:
-Few NPC's most only merchants.
-Pre-determined dialogues.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-The dialogues now have a few options, but it still contribute to the same story, AND each choice is reversible in consequence.
Light: 2 points:
-NPC's are presented in small societies, AND some of them can make a difference in further development of the game.
Medium: 3 points:
-NPC's acts truly as a part of a bigger community.
-NPC's in each society are much aware about social status also toward your characters.
-More than one society with NPC's are present in the world.
More: 4 points:
-There are fleshed out dialogue trees,
-Choices is most final and irreversible.
-NPC’s have considerable impact on the amount of Main / side- stories.
Heavy: 5 points:
-NPC's are aware of the continuously developing situation in the game-world, AND react clearly to the gamers actions and deeds.
-More than 2 bigger societies of NPC's must be available.
-Reputation, skills, alignment, attitude etc. have considerable impact on the NPC reaction.
Geneforge 4: 5 points
GAMEWORLD:
No: 0 points:
-The task to get from A to B has no or few options to go away from a fixed physical path.
-The game-world only inhabits monsters and a few merchants.
-The world is without (none monster) societies.
Ultra light: 1 point:
-Still a strict physical path, but with a few small societies on your way.
Light: 2 points:
-A few areas are optional on your path each chapter / milestone.
-Societies will give some quest / story material.
Medium: 3 points:
-There are at least several physical path's to choose between, AND more will open up as the game proceeds.
-Societies must give the feeling of a live community, with their own daily business, AND not just a few NPC's waiting for the hero's to come along and pass on a few quests.
-The size of the game-world must be considerable.
More: 4 points:
-Societies must be very different and have strong relation to the game-world and each other.
-We are no longer talking about a few path's when exploring the world.
-The appearance of monsters and societies must make common sense.
Heavy: 5 points:
-The world is totally open for extreme freedom to explore, AND it's your own task to decide if your character(s) are good enough
to take on the different part of the world.
-The diversity of the game-world environment must be significant.
-Day & night cycles, and different weather conditions and /or different seasons.
Genforge 4: 3.5 points