Day 57 – Best character progression
Character progression is one of those vital building blocks of the average role playing game and probably one of the most challenging to implement smoothly. Finding the balance between effectiveness and progression, while still maintaining a level of fun is what makes role playing games great (or bad as the case maybe).
But the game that does it best, in my humble (ha!) opinion, is the Zelda series. While Link doesn’t have anything as pedestrian as a skill tree, he is always getting acquainted with new weapons and magical artifacts. These of course just happen to be presented to him with such perfect timing, that he always has the perfect tool on hand to get through the next challenge.
Its incredibly satisfying to know that the ‘skills’, or in Link’s case tools, are actually going to be useful. No filler skills here!
The game also has a much more fluid leveling system. The only indication of levels is Link’s collection of heart containers, which provide him with more hit points. These do get collected as the game progresses, but many of them are available outside the general story line, so they only loosely indicate progress or skill level.
No matter what, Link is uniquely prepared for each and every quest he faces. His progress is brilliantly tailored to makes the game fun, interesting, and highly engaging.
Tags: 30 days of video games, fantasy, levels, loot, nintendo, win, zelda
December 28th, 2012 at 7:25 am
I had to double-check whose blog I was reading when I saw another post about Link. ;)
December 28th, 2012 at 11:59 am
LOL! Well someone isn’t the only Link fan out there. =P
December 28th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Ultima IV was the best in my not-so-humble opinion.
December 28th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Thats a little before my time. I wonder, will they rerelease it for iPhone? =P
December 28th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I’m not sure what I’d pick for this. You make a good case for Link. My only real experience with him was in Link to the Past, which was about the same progression. I know there’s a game I’m forgetting, so I’m leaving my answer blank. :p
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:45 am
Har har har. :) Link is a good one, though I actually would not have picked him.
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Thats shocking! I thought you were doing 30 days of Zelda. =D