That is the most boring place to start an RPG.; Remembers me of the "every JRPG ever" from college humor. On Dark Sun : Shattered Sands, you start as a gladiator slave in a arena. On Baldur's Gate 1, you start in the candlekeep.
But that's my point: I like Baldur's Gate 1 start. A lot
But you are right insofar that it get's "boring" if every game starts like that.
The primary reason why you don't start with a full arsenal at the beginning of an FPS campaign (ie a skill based game) is escalating complexity. [...] This is often combined with a reward mechanic so that you "feel good" about getting access to a new tool [...] It is different model to that used in level-based "RPG" skill systems where progression tends to just provide a straight forward power advantage without much of a sacrifice. In a skill-based game, low level enemies never stop being a threat, but the skills you learn playing the game make them less of a threat the second time you play the game. In a level-based system, they're still dangerous on the second playthrough. (Some games are a mix of the two.)
The primary reason for me to play an FPS shooter - apart from the often non-existent story - is to explore the levels, play in coop with friends, get new guns & face new enemies. I seldomly play multiplayer and only with friends. If I face the biggest boss & largest gun in the beginning of the game - example: Duke Nukem Forever - I quit the game and play something else.
But of course there are players focused on honing their skill or competing with others. I simply don't have the time or inclination for such things.
Anyway, this is all rather redundant, as I'm talking about gameplay here. The OP was concerned with the story progression (ie the worthy opponents at the start of the game are too bad ass). And seems to feel that you should have to earn that kind of power fantasy.
You have to be a good writer to write a good story, yes.
I don't think it's any easier to write a story containing an escalating power fantasy than any other kind of story. In fact, I think there often can be some serious writing challenges when your characters get too OP. I mean, have any of you seen Dragon Ball Z?
It's a simple equation. If you meet Mind Flayers, Dragons and Nautiloids in the beginning, it's hard to raise the bar. Your story could quickly become anticlimatic and might be perceived as boring.
DBZ is starting small and getting OP. And sure, as soon as you get 'OP', it's hard to raise the bar. That's the point.
