Since the dawn of Role-Playing games, I have always loved the freedom — albeit limited — that I got in their worlds. You could roam around town, see an interesting person, and not know that the conversation with them might prompt an entire storyline you could have never found otherwise.
That’s a big reward for players who decide to explore. But some games went further than that and allowed you to own a castle and manage staff.
I loved these games more because they allowed me to rule. Especially since I have a pet peeve in character creation where I always tend to select a Highborn origin for my characters. They are usually Dukes, Princes, bishops, Lords, or other noble titles.
In recent years I have seen only one such game that did this beautifully: Pathfinder: Kingmaker. I love that game! We will talk about it later.
Let’s talk about those games and why I think this mechanic should be preserved in future Role-Playing games. Also, this is a spoiler alert for any games listed below!
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins had everything I wanted. It allowed me to be of noble birth, made me watch my parents die, and made me think I have become the head of the house. The game included references to those origins from NPCs I encountered throughout the land, and — the topping on the cake — allowed me to become a King-Consort (or Queen-Consort if I was playing a female).
It was a game well done. And I miss it so much! Why miss it instead of playing it again? We’re so used to the new graphics that such a game wouldn’t hold my attention for long.
Maybe one day I’ll best this aspect of myself and allow myself to enjoy it like I used to.
Dragon Age 2
Dragon Age 2 is only briefly mentioned here. I didn’t quite connect with this game. I liked the story as much as I could. There were plot holes, and the graphics were way better than DA:O, but it seemed at times that graphics was the only thing this game was good at.
But, it did allow me to inherit my mother’s house (after watching her brutally murdered and awkwardly making my companions console me). And, above all, it made me the Champion of Kirkwall.
I was respected, wealthy, and witty. I could have become The Viscount of Kirkwall if I had sided with the Templars during the last chapters of the game. But that idea was utterly demolished. Dragon Age 2’s ending ensured I was viscount only briefly before I disappeared.
It was good while it lasted.
Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter nights 2 allowed me to become one of The Nine, an archetype class of Faerun. That meant I was entitled to land and a nobility title. I got both by becoming a Knight of Neverwinter and the Captain (or Knight-Captain) of Crossroad Keep.
I loved this game so much!
An expansion — Mask of The Betrayer — let me continue the journey of my player character, but I was completely removed and far away from Neverwinter. I wanted to continue what I started there. See the Keep return to its glory. The game took a different path.
Then, a newer expansion — Storm of Zehir — let me create a new PC and become a merchant-adventurer on the sword coast. I wasn’t my previous player character, and I wasn’t a noble. But I still had some power and resources. I felt I could do something to shape the world around me, and it felt so incredible.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Inquisition is by far the game that let me influence the world the most. I was the Inquisitor. I could build camps wherever I wanted, judge people, and take over keeps all around the land while managing a beautiful castle of my own.
I definitely held sway with the world. I felt in charge. The ending took away most of that by taking the inquisition as I knew it away from me.
But, for better or worse, the Inquisitor could shape the world. They could do much to change how it was run through simple mechanics.
Whenever I would build a camp somewhere, I could see my troops fighting with beasts, guarding the border, or simply helping the people who lived around my lands.
As far as I remember, I didn’t get a levy, but I could do much to gain money, and even at some point, I could buy influence with money.
I can’t emphasize enough how much I wait for Dragon Age 4.
Pathfinder: Kingmaker
A relatively new game in my Steam library. This game started as a party adventure. I knew there would be some governing involved, but I didn’t know when it would come. I could spend hours doing stuff without advancing the plot. I had many, many days before I was going to lose my mission.
Then, when it happened, I didn’t know what to feel. I worked for this title, but then I had to work at my land. Was I a real lord? There were many missions to complete, and I could also visit my town and feel the human connection to it. It was an incredible new experience that no other game had offered before.
Even Neverwinter Nights 2, which I mentioned above, didn’t let me rule anything besides my keep. The things that happened in the surrounding lands were a bit vague.
Something about the time limit for each mission was a bit stressful, but I loved the challenge.
Also, disclaimer: I have not played this game for over six months, and it’s reasonably possible I’m referring to an older version, and today’s patches changed some things.
Regardless of game mechanics, I loved that I could once again influence how the world was run. I felt I was in charge — this time more than ever. Being the boss wasn’t just about power and influence. It was also about responsibility.
Game Developers — Let Your Players Run The World
I believe you got my message: A player wants to feel in charge. They want to feel they can influence the world.
The story and characters in an RPG are the most important things. No one debates that. But, if your game takes you through a significant role of being a noble — let the players feel that. Let them rule. Let them change the world in other ways than fighting and killing monsters or bad guys.
Let them change the world by exercising their highborn responsibilities.
I promise I’ll be an early adopter.
