Do you prefer random battles or seeing enemies on the map?

[PINEDAXP]

That's a good point. Only if levels are relevant to the game.

Was trying to say that not every player is equal. Not every player will pick up every item. Some items will give players and edge. With the chance to level up, you give an option to level the playing field. (Also, it gives you a little more wiggle room when you're trying to balance the game.)

Exactly, this is a smart comment, but it'd still depends on the player's taste, either way, the game's system wouldn't be changed just because a person doesn't like it

 

[Kinnison]

For the monsters appearing on map, if somebody willing to make things like Chrono Trigger, then it can make the game much more fun rather than having them walk around and chase you and when they touch you a battle starts. Also, if some professional scripters can make battles like in Final Fantasy 12, repeat the word "fun"

But anyway, most of the recent games uses random encounters. I stick to random encounters for now.

 

[busbuzz]

If dont like enemies on maps, i always try to avoid battles and end up playing against a very strong boss without the required level, so i lose time training again instead of having the battles i was supposed to take, and i think most ppl do the same with monsters on map, try to avoid them

 

[The Creator]

I'm old school and prefer random.

Fights are part of the game. Avoiding them seems pointless. How else do you gain levels and all that if you avoid them?

RPGs should have a level of difficulty and dancing around the enemies makes it way too simple.

 

[Ellie]

It depends. If the battle system's good (i.e. FFX) then random.

If not, just let me decide when I want to fight. (Though I prefer ABS's).

 

[iceplosion]

Well like I said the battle system is side view, uses animated battlers, the materia system, the overdrive system and the status display has been modified for the sideview.
The battle system is pretty fun.

 

[Mimi Chan]

Now this is where my triple battle system comes in handy.

In my game where the map has a random encounter, before the battle starts you have an option of 'bribing' the enemy (give them gold and they will leave you alone)

Random battles are annoying when you are like solving a puzzle and in your mind you have the puzzle all laid out then you are disturbed by a battle -_-;

 

[HarryE]

Well, I saw random encounters, because, Personally, I tend to not like battles, so if there is an enemy on the map, I tend to go out of my way to avoid them, but if I am pulled into the battle regardless, I tend to see it through.

 

[Diedrupo]

I like random map battles. Also, when I do bump into something on the map, I want that encounter to be randomized and not be the same encounter every time.

Which is why I can say I hate Chrono Trigger's system of having static enemy encounters that you fought in the same places every single time.

Now with map battles, you do have the risk of players avoiding every encounter. Solution? Make some of the encounters unavoidable.

 

[iceplosion]

Now this is where my triple battle system comes in handy.

In my game where the map has a random encounter, before the battle starts you have an option of 'bribing' the enemy (give them gold and they will leave you alone)

Random battles are annoying when you are like solving a puzzle and in your mind you have the puzzle all laid out then you are disturbed by a battle -_-;

Obviously I turn random battles off in areas where there are puzzles, like master of the wind does (random battles aren't overly frequent and aren't in areas with puzzles)

 

[Skie Fortress]

I don't like random encounters or cluttering maps with monster events. My personal alternative was and still is an Encounter Gauge that fills up while you travel in aggressive areas and when filled, a monster group randomly selected out of five possible groups assigned to that area would be thrown at you. Of course the gauge wasn't active in passive areas.

I also added 'gauge controllers' like Chronos Stones which decreased the gauge, Tranquility Stones which stopped the gauge for three maps and Valor Stones which increased the gauge.

Anyways, that's my current take on the whole encounter debate.

 

[iceplosion]

Wow, that would be awesome, is there a script for that?
Has anyone ever done that before?

 

[the7k]

Random Battles aren't my cup of tea. If I wanna avoid enemies in a game involving random encounters, I'll find some way to do it, if nothing else I'll just hit "Run Away" over and over.

I'll need to fight at some point, due to need for money, item drops and experience points. Why force me to fight if I don't need or want to? That severely hinders that all important element of games called FUN. Don't forget that above all, the game should be fun.

 

[Hero]

I'd rather be able to see monsters on the map, only because it gives you the chance to avoid them if you don't like random encounters, which I tend to hate after awhile when I can kill any enemies in one hit.

 

[Ellie]

It's often quite fun avoiding enemies and takes as much time and skill as fighting them does

 

[OdioOmnus]

Personally, I prefer random battles in amateur games; battles on the map are often awkward. However, I'd like ways to control the encounter rate, whether it be items or spells. Also, I like some indication of when a random battle is coming, like in SMT: Nocturne or Legend of the Dragoon.

Battles in the map in commercial games works in several cases, but in the amateur games I've played, they're often extremely dull due to horrid pathfinding and very static, lifeless movement patterns. Seems very few people take advantage of the possibilities this system offers.

 

[RedEyesKirby]

I like seeing enemies on the map a lot more. Random battles are just annoying, it's best if I can avoid all meaningless battle.

 

[Diedrupo]

I think it's a sign of a bad RPG if all you're doing is trying to avoid every battle. Hello? Battles are a significant part of the RPG experience. If you're not enjoying them and only playing the game to see characters talk to each other on the screen, you should stop playing it or stop playing RPGs in general.

There are plenty of games out there that provide an interactive story without RPG gameplay, check out all the various adventure games or games like Metal Gear Solid, etc.

 

[Lisker]

Diedrupo, I think he's talking about meaningless battles, like when you are lvl 50+ and you walk into a map with lvl 3 monsters that give hardly any EXP. Those are the time where the lacking of a forced battle system shows.

On the other hand, people get lazy and walk around the monsters when they can see them hahaha, and then they tend to die at certain bosses because their lvls suck.

That is why I like both, none are perfect.

 

[pathbinder]

Random Battles aren't my cup of tea. If I wanna avoid enemies in a game involving random encounters, I'll find some way to do it, if nothing else I'll just hit "Run Away" over and over.

I'll need to fight at some point, due to need for money, item drops and experience points. Why force me to fight if I don't need or want to? That severely hinders that all important element of games called FUN. Don't forget that above all, the game should be fun.

Took the words right out of my mouth.