Why do people like arpgs?

Comments

• Anireth Member UncommonPosts: 940

  January 2016

  Going for a build thats proven to work is no different from reading guides on which quests to do or what to craft/sell to make money.
  
  And ARPGs are no different from other RPGs with regards to builds. Do you know how many builds there are for Neverwinter Nights 2? There's even a whole site dedicated to just managing said builds. And if you play anything but the current flavour of the month in a MMORPG, you'll get shouted at.
  
  And you know, you *can* make your own build in action rpgs. I played 'till the end of Act 2 on Hell difficulty in Diablo II back then with my own homegrown build, just taking what sounds good. And the people who create those OP builds obviously create their own builds, too, otherwise we wouldn't have all those builds to choose from.
  

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• JakeSim Member RarePosts: 884

  January 2016

  Very true. I just always loved the concept of Marvel Heroes. But, every time I try to play it (or any other ARPG) I always just recognize so many people just follow all these premade builds and it completely destroys the fun for me. Especially in MH where as there's already no customization in your appearance, for the most part.
  

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• Sephiroso Member RarePosts: 2,020

  January 2016 edited January 2016

  Why do people like brussel sprouts? Why do people like spinach? Why do people like chocolate?
  
  Stupid question is stupid.
  
  As for your other question of "why do people think its enjoyable to just go for the most OP build" that's human fucking nature to be as efficient as possible. The vast majority of people will take the easiest method over less efficient methods.
  
  How many people do you see still using wagons and horses where cars are widely available? How many people do you see/know that mails letters when they want to contact someone instead of using the phone and calling them(or emailing/texting them)?
  

  
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• GeezerGamer Member EpicPosts: 8,857

  January 2016

  Because people like what people like
• ThumbtackJ Member UncommonPosts: 669

  January 2016

  ARPG is my favorite genre. I like to kill stuff, watch those enemies explode, and tons of loot pop out from their insides. To me, it's relaxing and satisfying. Not to mention creating all sorts of wacky builds can be loads of fun.
  
  As far as builds go, yeah, most will probably go for the "best" builds. But there are many like myself who will just goof around with builds and find whatever is fun. Obviously you'd still want the build to work at least "decently" or else you won't be able to kill anything without having your ass handed to you.
  
  Take Marvel Heroes for example, with say, Cyclops. The vast majority will use his Beam builds (with say focused beam, ricochet beam, visor off, etc.). However, there are some who will use a "PunchClops" build just because they find it fun, even if the time-to-kill makes it less efficient. 
  
  Lately I've been playing a good bit of Grim Dawn, and with the dual class system, you can make all sorts of crazy builds. 
  
  However, yeah I agree. Most people are going to use whatever the current "best" build is. Especially for racing through a seasonal ladder or event or what have you. Though, I think one solution is to offer a more choice and variety in your build system (like Grim Dawn or Path of Exile). Even then, one build with a specific set of gear will likely always end up being better than others.
• machomuu Member UncommonPosts: 1

  January 2016

  ARPGs are often characterized by the idea that you don't need to pick the most efficient build to do well, it's a lot more based in how you play.  That's a big part of the appeal for me, and the Souls series is basically a great example of it.
  
  The movement's easy and reactive and no matter how you build your character, success is always an option.  If you want to play the whole game with your character wearing not even trousers and your points in that magic stat you don't use, you absolutely can.
  
  And that idea, being able to adjust the challenge and tune the game to your playstyle, is fun and can lead to thrills that various other RPG sub-genres don't really generally allow for because playing with a certain build will get you killed regardless of what you do.  In fact, I'd say the allure of making a character how you want is generally a lot stronger in ARPGs than that of making the most efficient character in comparison to various other genres.  I won't say that they always will, as doing what's most efficient is one of the most basic principles of game design, but it definitely is an attractive idea that ARPGs generally tote.