Richard Cobbett’s RPGs of 2016 and 2017

Since the last time we checked, Richard Cobbett has published two packed columns for Rock, Paper, Shotgun, dealing with the RPGs he’s looking forward for 2017 and the notable titles from 2016. Here and there his approach is admittedly inscrutable to me, but there’s some interesting insight for those who’d like to mine it. An excerpt on 2016:

The Soiled Scroll Of Disappointment – Fallout 4 DLC

Speaking of games that I don’t like… sigh. I really was looking forward to Fallout 4 last year, but the rubbish story, shooter-heavy action and focus on building settlements couldn’t have been much further from what I wanted. Oh, for stories inspired more by Nick Valentine or travelling journalist Piper. But that’s okay, right? There was still lots of DLC promised and that had the chance to save it! Well, not so much. After all, New Vegas had excellent DLC – even in its weaker moments, at least trying to do interesting things with the engine! But no. Cue Bethesda doubling down on trivial nonsense like settlements and the completely idiotic Vault-Tec Workshop (Guys, you know the nuclear apocalypse? It’s over, people!) It’s going to be ages before another of these games. Please don’t let this be the direction Bethesda plans to keep going for that, or the next Elder Scrolls. You’re not going to be the next Minecraft. Stop it.

And one on 2017:

Shroud of the Avatar

Ah, Richard Garriott’s return to both an Ultima style universe, and to judge from the engine and UI, 2003. As with Hero-U, I want to be more excited about this one than I actually am, but admittedly quick check-ins of the project haven’t exactly inspired me just yet. I want to believe, Lord British. Really. Anyone who reads this column should know about the Ultima drinking game (related, take a shot). Right now though, this one still feels like a lot of pieces that’s doing better at selling virtual stuff, Star Citizen style, than truly coming together into a modern game. Again though, don’t scream if you’re a fan. That’s only from surface level glimpses, and the reason they’re surface level is that I prefer to wait for games to be finished and fully baked before settling into them. I’m hoping that as we get closer to the first episode of the story’s release, we’ll see things looking more polished… and more like anyone involved has played a recent RPG.