Do you prefer to play as your own character, or play a pre-made character's story?

Edelweiss

Edelweiss

New member
I know Skyrim and Fallout are amazing games, but I never manage to get really "invested" in the same way as I do with GTAV, Red Dead Redemption, Uncharted and other games with pre-made characters. The former mentioned game franchises for me allow "too much freedom". It ultimately takes away from the immersion/experience when you're allowed to name your character ANYTHING you want. You basically have no little bearing on the game world as you don't really feel a part of it.

Anyone else feel the same, or the opposite?

Do you agree when I say these games allow too much freedom? There's a continuum between the polar extremes of games being "too linear" and too "open-ended".

The sweet-spot between these two extremes would be with games like GTA and Skyrim/Fallout being more on the open-ended side.

Guess I'm just rambling now lol.. :p But you get my point.
 
I feel exactly the same as you. I struggle to get invested in huge open world titles whereby the characters have minimal, if any, personality. I prefer my games to be very story-based, and a big part of that is the character I'm playing as. GTA V was the first open world game I truly enjoyed because the characters were interesting to me and I enjoyed watching their progression through the game. There is obviously a huge amount of people who feel the opposite way though and enjoy the games purely for the gameplay, which is why titles such as Skyrim are immensely popular (but I couldn't make it through an hour of the game).
 
You've started some good threads over the last while.

I'm the opposite when it comes to pre-made characters. For instance I could not get into the Witcher at all because the main character was so annoying. Especially in roleplaying games I prefer to create everything about my character.

I think Bioware games get it right. You can either select the stock standard Shepard in the Mass Effect games (male of female) or you can customise the character as much as you want and then just keep the surname. The same with Dragon Age 2 where all you really need to have is the surname so that people call you that during dialogue.

But then sometimes pre-made characters are great too. Like Red Dead Redemption that you mentioned and Alan Wake particularly.

However I would choose to customise my character every time when given the option and in a game like the Witcher I will just stop playing and not buy the sequels because I can't relate to the character.
 
So would Just Cause 2 be a sweet spot game for you?

I enjoy playing both an existing characters story as well as creating my own story. But I think for the latter I have to be in the mood.
 
Solitude said:
You've started some good threads over the last while.

I'm the opposite when it comes to pre-made characters. For instance I could not get into the Witcher at all because the main character was so annoying. Especially in roleplaying games I prefer to create everything about my character.

I think Bioware games get it right. You can either select the stock standard Shepard in the Mass Effect games (male of female) or you can customise the character as much as you want and then just keep the surname. The same with Dragon Age 2 where all you really need to have is the surname so that people call you that during dialogue.

But then sometimes pre-made characters are great too. Like Red Dead Redemption that you mentioned and Alan Wake particularly.

However I would choose to customise my character every time when given the option and in a game like the Witcher I will just stop playing and not buy the sequels because I can't relate to the character.
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Thanks! :D Just trying to keep the forum buzzing.
 
could not care either way if i'm playing my own character or a pre-made avatar ala Mike Thorton from alpha protocol, if the game is fun and the story engaging i'm a happy camper
 
Good topic dude.

I guess you could ask yourself if you would rather save the world as a clone of Tom Cruise or save the world as yourself..

When the character becomes you the gameplay is so much more satisfying. I'm 90 hours into Dark Souls 2 and because my character is continuously evolving that game still feels so fresh.
 
I often start out by making my character look like me, but then I completely go off course... they never have the "male pattern baldness" or "receding hairline" hair sets... :D

My Tiger woods Character had the smallest possible shortest legs, with the biggest possible upper arms and chest. So funny
 
TBlaar said:
I often start out by making my character look like me, but then I completely go off course... they never have the "male pattern baldness" or "receding hairline" hair sets... :D

My Tiger woods Character had the smallest possible shortest legs, with the biggest possible upper arms and chest. So funny
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Dragon Age 2 gives you the "male pattern baldness" option... so I went with it! I'll post a screenshot tonight. :D
 
I dont really mind if its a pre made character or user created but I really like it when you can choose outfits. Rico running around in black jeans and leather boots in the tropics of Just Cause really irritated me.

Saints Row got it right I feel.
 
bradbear117 said:
I dont really mind if its a pre made character or user created but I really like it when you can choose outfits. Rico running around in black jeans and leather boots in the tropics of Just Cause really irritated me.

Saints Row got it right I feel.
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Lol.. Just Cause. I had many great memories with that game in the past. Huge fan i am.
 
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