Vapourware RPGs that can legitimately be called masterpieces

[Lilura]

This post caused me to create this topic. In that topic, people were saying that third-rate RPGs were "perfect", which is ridiculous. I don't even think Jagged Alliance 2 is perfect.

Masterpiece: A work of outstanding skill, mastery or workmanship.

Note how it says "a work". In other words, it isn't enough for an RPG to have great this or great that, but fail elsewhere. When taken as a whole, the RPG must equate to a masterpiece. Thus, Troika games are out despite my undying love for them.

There are not many masterpieces. Off-hand, and in no particular order:

- Fallout (PC)
- Deus Ex (PC)
- Jagged Alliance 2 (PC)
- Warband (PC)
- Diablo (PC)
- Darklands (PC)
- Wasteland (C=64)
- Captive (Amiga)
- Hired Guns (Amiga)
- Dungeon Master (Atari ST)

I can call any of these masterpieces with a straight face. There are others, of course, but that's what I can think of, off-hand.

So what, to your mind, are examples of genre masterpieces?

 

[Darth Roxor]

ELEX

 

[Sentinel]

Knights of the Old Republic 2
Planescape: Torment
Fallout: New Vegas - Dead Money.

 

[Orma]

DEADFIRE

 

[Orma]

BLOODLINES

ARCANUM

 

[Jimmious]

Fallout 2
BG 2
JA 2 (if we indeed consider it an RPG as Lilura insists)
ToEE
VtM: Bloodlines

Probably more but that's the first that come in mind

 

[Heroic Liberator]

Disco Elysium. :^)

Spoiler

Though in all honesty both the implementation of the Thought Cabinet (in terms of impact, not mechanics) and some of the more railroady skill checks and plot contrivances later on are quite eh.

 

[Lilura]

Knights of the Old Republic 2

The RPG is not even complete. A masterpiece is a complete work that invokes a degree of awe. It is more arguable that KotOR 2 is worthless.

Planescape: Torment

The game is a major mess. Masterpieces are never messes. Thus, PS:T is easily eliminated from the equation.

Fallout: New Vegas - Dead Money.

A glorified mod built on the Oblivion With Guns popamole engine. Thus, it can never be considered a masterpiece.

 

[Heroic Liberator]

It is more arguable that KotOR 2 is worthless.

Now you're just being edgy.

 

[overly excitable young man]

PoE

 

[Sentinel]

Knights of the Old Republic 2

The RPG is not even complete. A masterpiece is a complete work that invokes a degree of awe. It is more arguable that KotOR 2 is worthless.

Planescape: Torment

The game is a major mess. Masterpieces are never messes. Thus, PS:T is easily eliminated from the equation.

Fallout: New Vegas - Dead Money.

A glorified mod built on the Oblivion With Guns popamole engine. Thus, it can never be considered a masterpiece.

I'm just going to assume that you either never played Deus Ex, or are a total hypocrite. Considering your post history, probably the latter.

 

[d1nolore]

As much as I loved Vtm:b it was oh so horridly buggy on release and still so with only official patches.

 

[Heroic Liberator]

As much as I loved Vtm:b it was oh so horridly buggy on release and still so with only official patches.

Certainly not a masterpiece, but a classic; just like KotOR 2.

 

[BING XI LAO]

The RPG is not even complete.

Even with TSLRCM?
Also, thoughts on King of Dragon Pass? It's not a standard RPG, but worth considering, and very polished.

 

[Heroic Liberator]

The RPG is not even complete.

Even with TSLRCM?

Far from it, but at least it makes the game playable in terms of adding an epilogue.

 

[Daedalos]

Half-life 1
Deus Ex
Diablo 1+2
Resident Evil 1 + 2
Fallout 1+2
Pathfinder Kingmaker
Disco Elysium
Monkey Island 1+2
Starcraft 1 + Warcraft 1+2
Planetescape: Tournament

 

[Karlo u zatvoru]

How bout Koa reckoning?
2012
graphics still awesome to this day
Good story even better ambient
Massive map 2 dlc s
Rare gem indeed

 

[d1nolore]

This post caused me to create this topic. In that topic, people were saying that third-rate RPGs were "perfect", which is ridiculous. I don't even think Jagged Alliance 2 is perfect.

Masterpiece: A work of outstanding skill, mastery or workmanship.

Note how it says "a work". In other words, it isn't enough for an RPG to have great this or great that, but fail elsewhere. When taken as a whole, the RPG must equate to a masterpiece. Thus, Troika games are out despite my undying love for them.

There are not many masterpieces. Off-hand, and in no particular order:

- Fallout (PC)
- Deus Ex (PC)
- Jagged Alliance 2 (PC)
- Warband (PC)
- Diablo (PC)
- Darklands (PC)
- Wasteland (C=64)
- Captive (Amiga)
- Hired Guns (Amiga)
- Dungeon Master (Atari ST)

I can call any of these masterpieces with a straight face. There are others, of course, but that's what I can think of, off-hand.

So what, to your mind, are examples of genre masterpieces?

Curious why you put Diablo on the list, you don't seem the type.

 

[Fowyr]

Pool of Radiance.

 

[d1nolore]

Which Might & Magic would people point to as the best or closest to a masterpiece? I've only played 2 of them

 

[octavius]

Wizardry 1
Dungeon Master
Pool of Radiance
Chaos Strikes Back
Ultima Underworld
Diablo
Diablo 2
Deus Ex

Flawed masterpieces:
Darklands
Disciples of Steel
Fallout 1
Fallout 2

 

[biggestboss]

Wizardry 7
Shadowrun: Dragonfall

 

[HoboForEternity]

Realms of Arkania HD

edit: whoops wrong account

 

[biggestboss]

Could you imagine a Fluent post in this thread?

 

[HoboForEternity]

Could you imagine a Fluent post in this thread?

he would post this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_video_games