There is quite possibly nothing more exciting than waiting for a quality game to be released. You may find yourself counting down the days and you may even be looking forward to designing your character too. If you have never played an RPG before, or if you just don’t feel as though you are very good at them then here are some tips that will help you to navigate the process.
Investigate
When you play an RPG, you need to be thinking of the next step at all times. Find out your goals and work towards them. You have to remember that you are the leading star in your own very personal universe, and that you aren’t going to get anywhere if you wait and do nothing. It’s also important that you investigate everything you can. Ask the right questions and follow up on leads where possible. This will open up brand new storylines and it will help you to become more invested in the character that you are playing.
Define yourself
It doesn’t matter what type of game you are playing because it is always possible for you to write your own backstory. If your game gives you the option to do business, or even barter with people then portray a shrewd investor. If you want to be a travelling musician, carry a ukulele in your inventory and bust it out whenever you see a group of people nearby. There are plenty of games out there that focus on the little things, and most of the time you will be able to do pretty much anything you want so experiment and create a story for yourself. Sure, the game probably won’t recognize what you’re doing, but character investment and creativity is one of the main plus-points in playing a free roam RPG.
Don’t Harm Other Players
If you have an RPG to play, then there is a high chance that you can take your game online and play with other people. This is a fantastic feature and it really does give you the chance to expand your role-playing horizon. You do however need to make sure that you are courteous and respectful at all times. Attacking other players when you have nothing to gain is not good sportsmanship and it will affect your overall experience. Of course, if your game encourages you to do this then still try and be fair in your approach. Don’t go attacking new players who have nothing to give. Instead, attack higher level players who might give you a higher reward, and experiment with your strategy. That’s where the fun really lies.
Know the System
The best thing about RPGs is that they give you the chance to really experiment and learn your limitations. When you first start playing, you may find that you are not able to attack certain creatures without being killed because you are not a high enough level. You’ll probably end up making a lot of mistakes and you may lose a lot of items too. This can be frustrating, but you need to know your boundaries, just like in real life. Assess the situation and then act accordingly. Sometimes you will be able to take a stand, and other times you will need to run for your life. That’s part of the fun, and even though it may take you some time to learn the rules, eventually you will be able to judge any situation instantaneously.
Apologize
If you attack someone in the game by accident or if you find that you stole their items without meaning to then make sure that you apologize. A lot of games have an in-game messaging system which gives you the chance to talk with other people. This is great, so use it! You never know when you are going to meet someone who is doing the same quest as you, and this could prove to be very useful.
Tell a Story
Sometimes, it helps to tell your own story. This is especially the case if you are playing online. If you are playing a fantasy game for example, then there is a high chance that you will be able to collect armor and equip it on your character. Take the time to plan out how you want other people to see you, and dress accordingly. For example, if you have slain a dragon that’s a really high level, make the hide into armor and wear it. This will show other people what you have accomplished and it will also make you look powerful and ready for combat. If you get given some mystical robes from a quest, and you specialize in magic, then go with this look. There is nothing wrong with giving your character a theme, and by doing this you can be sure to really make yourself look like a more experienced player.
Embrace Failure
Failure can be embarrassing. You may end up making the wrong decision in a game or you may end up losing in combat. Either way, you need to embrace it and learn from it. You will have more fun when you do, and you may even find that you have a better concept of the game too.
Know that there Are Other Options
If you just can’t get to grips with the idea of gaming online, then there are other options available. You can learn about some of them here on Table Knight. You can still play them with other people but without the pressure of having lightning fast reflexes.
Learn the Keys
If you are playing a game on the computer then there is a high chance that certain keys will commit certain actions. If you are new to computer games, then you may have a hard time learning which keys you need to press. There are plenty of keyboards out there that you can use to help yourself here, and some of them will light up the keys via a backlight too. Either way, this will help you out and it will also help you to react to certain situations in-game much faster.
