Some things just exit the mind and never returns… until it does again. Everybody has that old love that just dies out, but somehow just comes back into your life. The relationship was great but somewhere down the line both of you end up having a falling out. You don’t see each other for years and then BAM, something hits you deep in your heart. You decide to give it a try again and you fall in love all over again.
Yes, a lot of have been there. It can be rocky, but sometimes it is all so worth it. The feeling of the bliss of reconnecting with another all over again and rediscovering each other, while also discovering many new things. Time apart is a great way to grow and get to know yourself more.
Life is starting to shift and you have a taste for something familiar, yet fresh. There is nothing quite like it. It’s like remembering an old song that you haven’t heard in years and you can’t take it off repeat.
So if you have been reading this so far, you probably think I am talking about a relationship with another person? You couldn’t be more wrong.
I’m talking about isometric role-playing games. This is a gaming website people, why on earth would I stray so far from my subject?
So if you were expecting relationship advice or something relatable, you best try a different blog cause this isn’t it.
Anyways, I remember back in the day when Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights were running the show. I was quite young at the time. So young that I didn’t know what I was doing, but I loved creating characters. Anyways, I got older and played these games a bit more and loved it.
However, I got even older…. *sigh*. Honestly, it has been years since I played games like those anymore.
I do have to say, this isn’t all on me. At the time most developers were kind of straying away from isometric RPGs and games similar to them. It was shooters everywhere you look.
Also, while I grew up playing on the PC, I mostly play on console. Most developers weren’t trying to port those types of games over because of their complexity and consoles weren’t a priority then.
Now, things have changed. Games like Divinity: Original Sin, Torment: Tides of Numenera, and even Baldur’s Gate coming to console, my interest has peaked as of late. My journey back into isometric RPGs started with Divinity: Original Sin a few years back. It looked interesting and old-school so I bought it when it was on sale, 15 dollars to be exact. I ended up starting it but never finished. I ended up taking a 2-year break from it for some odd reason.
However, lately, there haven’t been many games I wanted to buy. The last game I bought was Doom Eternal and the next game I want is Cyberpunk 2077. Needless to say, that is a big gap with no games to play. So I one out of boredom I decided to load my save from Divinity: Original Sin. I started playing and little did I know that hours have passed. The game had me hooked. It somehow brought back memories that I used to have.
I wasn’t even halfway through the game and I noticed Divinity: Original Sin 2 was on sale for $30. Obviously, I purchased it. Playing it immediately after I finished the first game was my priority. I ran through the first game like a madman. I could have taken my time more, but I completed most of the quests. By the end of the game, my characters were so strong I started steamrolling enemies. I felt glorious. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.
It took me 62 hours to beat the game and I loved every second of it. Sometimes you have to rekindle that old flame to truly see how wonderful something is.
As of right now, I am 40+ hours into Divinity: Original Sin 2. Unlike before, I am taking my time reading books and listening to each individual. This game is easily in my top 5 RPGs of all time. While there are a lot of gameplay and system changes compared to the first, I still find this one even more enjoyable. That is saying a lot considering I loved the first one as well.
I haven’t spent so much time on an equipment menu in a game in a long time. Inventory and gear management are some things that I absolutely love in all RPGs. If I’m not spending at least an hour on the menu each time I get new gear, the game isn’t deep enough for me.
I might end up starting Pillars of Eternity, I played it for 15 minutes or so and loved what I played. But I heard the load times are atrocious on console and it turned me away from it completely. I guess I will have to find out for myself, I might buy the sequel if I like it enough.
Do you know what does have me hyped? Baldur’s Gate 3. I am disappointed that it isn’t the pause and play gameplay that we all know and love, but it is what it is. On the other hand, the developers that made Divinity are making this, so I know it is going to be good, even if it does look like Divinity with a Baldur’s Gate setting and D&D rules.
In short, I have never felt so connected to something that was once a distant, yet fond memory. Isometric RPGs felt like a dying genre but seem to be gaining more and more traction. And I couldn’t be happier. It’s a love that is always blossoming and growing. I honestly can’t wait for more games to come out like these that bring back my old school memories.
Originally published at https://gamingnitemare.com on May 25, 2020.
