Quote Originally Posted by Duke Dude View Post
Yeah there was a point and a purpose but outside of them living or dying there was no other 'ripple effect'. There were so many opportunities for the side quests to actually effect you mission, but sadly it was never fleshed out .
Would've been nice if they fleshed it out more, I agree. Both Mass Effect games, I found myself apprehensive of doing "too much" too quickly in fear of it ending. The thing is, no matter what you do, the game just goes by so fast and if you go too far into the main mission (read: Legion) before doing the other side-quests for your companions you end up killing your crew. It's insane.

Yes, let there be a purpose and a reason for the side quests just like there needs to be a purpose for us to actually be in the world. Each is equally important! The point I'm trying to make it let the side quests actually influence the outcome of your adventure. Instead of having us just assassinate a guy and let that be that, instead having assassinated that guy it should effect the greater scheme of things because he could've been an ally you've now killed (And aided you greatly in the main quest), or you've prematurely killed an adversary (That could've killed a party member) and now you have one less problem to worry about.
*nod* I sincerely agree with you. It's an intrinsic formula for what is considered a real RPG and not just "a game with some RPG mechanics." The key factor is being able to play a character, to take on a role and affect the world in a tangible manner. It's something that Bethesda's Elder Scrolls and Fallout 3 failed at. Annihilate a few hundred people and you'll still get the odd soul who's as friendly as hell with you and asks you to save his moonshine distillery. My favourite part in Oblivion (sarcasm) was listening to Arch Mage Travern talk about himself in third person in an entirely different voice. Now THAT'S immersion for you

I honestly don't know... I tried to get into it, but it just shut me out, lol. I just could not relate to my character and his struggles. Maybe it because of all the "lady humping" side quests, which detracted from the seriousness of the quests? I honestly don't know...
Lady humping was still a choice. Admittedly, I found myself humping the odd boobed one unintentionally by being gracious (learnt to spot those harlots' smooth moves rather quickly after that ). The gameplay, story and "feel" all contributed to the fantastic emotional attachment that I grew to have for The Witcher. I can't wait for The Witcher 2, to see all the changes that they've made. Oh and hey, no boobed cards :3

Lol, too true mate
*nod* *nod* Some part of me is actually hoping that it's only our hero who fights with a staff like that... But I doubt it.