I've claimed for years that the best exp system in existence in computer games is probably the goal-driven one in Vampire Bloodlines (which is basically a more granular version of a "milestone" exp system):
- you get exp for achieving minor and major objectives, regardless of how you do it
- you aren't actively encouraged to "maximize" exp by exploiting everything that is exploitable (i.e. "I'll pick the pacifist option for the exp and then kill everyone anyway").
- you aren't punished for thinking outside the box (i.e. Deus Ex where you get exp for hacking a PC but none for finding the password and unlocking it).
- you aren't pushed to grind/overuse certain skills to "raise them while using them" (Bethesda style)
- last but not least, the system is flexible enough that you can STILL have optimal solutions that (rightfully) reward the player with more exp than basic ones AND you can also have individual kills that can reward you exp (as long as killing that thing is counted as a minor objective).
Last edited by Tuco; 01/03/23 02:47 PM.
