Originally Posted by Wormerine
Originally Posted by Torque
Invisible barriers and linear progression kills immersion faster than anything else.

Not really. Big chunk of BG2 is linear. BG1 uses leveling to lead players into a fairly linear progression, on top of pointing them into intended direction via quests. It's not really about how linear/open the game is, but how it is presented. It all comes down to how well (if at all) structure of the game is hidden. Some games try to be immersive but use to obvious ways of confining the player. Some games don't try to be immersive in the first place. Some games are open, but everything is so irrelevant the game feels shallow and unengaging, and as the result unimmersive.

The trick is for you to be engaged enough with the game, as to not think how artificial it is. You not being able to go, or do what you expected to be able to do is one such factor that can bring you out of the experience, but it's just one of many.


Obviously. The game has to lead to the end. But what the game does is basically, "you should probably go here, but wait a minute, look over there.. whats that? an area totally unrelated to your current goals..?". The game offers a linear route down through the middle of the map and you can basically reach the end by avoiding pretty much 90% of the content (number pulled out of the air). BG2 doesnt offer as much freedom, though.

There has to be limits within the game but as long as the "wall" that blocks you offers some kind of in-game explanation its usually fine. As my example above, you cant enter Baldurs Gate because of the iron shortage. This is enough of a barrier even if it doesnt makes complete sense.

Last edited by Torque; 06/04/20 08:32 AM.