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Eternal Sonata


30 rules every RPG must follow

The perfect storyline outlined and spoiled

Words: Paul Ryan, GamesRadar US

Now that you're an established hero, it's time to leave the mainland. To do that, you’ll need to fly, but there are no planes in RPGs – that would be silly. You’ll need to acquire an airship.

The best way to get a flying ship is to steal it from pirates. If you haven’t done that by now, you’re still not a complete failure. Think back to all the friends you’ve made along your journey, which one was the best engineer? Go find that guy. He probably just completed his experimental airship and would love to let you fight evil with it. And redundantly...


Before mounting your final assault on the evil empire’s ultimate fortress, you’ll need at least one of these.


Above: If you can get five, it's even better

You’ll need this ship because the villain's fortress can fly. They always fly, and just to rub it in your face, they tend to be named the “Flying Fortress.” Luckily, hovering high above earthbound heroes makes most evildoers overconfident and they won't remember to lock the doors.

But before you get to the final dungeon, you’ll still need to actually retrieve that item from the Frozen Northlands. You’ll find it buried at the very bottom of an ancient temple. This temple is countless thousands of years old and moist. It will probably smell terrible, but it doesn’t matter, you can’t smell a game.

As part of its really old, stinky security system, the doors won't open to anyone who isn't a descendent of the Ancients. So it's a good thing…


This race happens to look, act, think, eat and sleep exactly like normal humans. The only characteristic that will differentiate them will be their key role in saving the world.

Head down to the bottom of the temple and recover the lost artifact, which happens to finally complete…


which is the key to solving most of the problems you have.

With science on your side, victory is almost certain, so a truly epic RPG (like this one) will compensate by creating a staggering moral dilemma. Just as you’re about to leave the temple, you’ll be confronted by your arch-rival and learn…


Nothing says “attempt to emotionally confuse the player” like adding a long lost brother story.

 


 
77 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
that guy  - 8 months 29 days ago 
ha!!!!

first

good article
skyguy343  - 8 months 29 days ago 
god i love this site, great article
Cyberninja  - 8 months 29 days ago 
second great article
RonnyLive19881  - 8 months 29 days ago 
You just spoiled every RPG I have never played! HOW DARE YOU!
Fishow753  - 8 months 29 days ago 
Another Paul Ryan classic.
GamesRadarCharlieBarratt  - 8 months 29 days ago 
That beer picture is so creepy.
animeman  - 8 months 29 days ago 
That would be the best game ever in history of all time.
Tasty_Pasta  - 8 months 29 days ago 
Ha, that was awesome!

1, 7, 8, 15, 23, and 30 are especially true.
jamminontha1n2  - 8 months 29 days ago 
I'm just wondering how long it took him to come up with this list. It's spot on. Great article
Cyberninja  - 8 months 29 days ago 
I will tell bioware to make this as soon as possiable

reCAPTCHA: Dessaur tonians
Corsair89  - 8 months 29 days ago 
haha, yeah. I've played tons of RPGs and they all follow these rules, especially RPGs by Square Enix.

You forgot something: sometime along the way, one of your most important allies WILL die. Whether an NPC or party member, someone important to you will die.
LionheartAce  - 8 months 29 days ago 
ULTROS!!! That son of a bitch.
Thequestion 121  - 8 months 29 days ago 
Awesome. Now I know how to beat every RPG ever!! Thanks GR!!!
GamesRadarTylerWilde  - 8 months 29 days ago 
Oh Paul Ryan, when will you stop hating RPGs?
legory  - 8 months 29 days ago 
Ahah, this is awesome. You rock Paul.
candyman  - 8 months 29 days ago 
This sounds a lot like an old game I played once.
s3ct10n8  - 8 months 29 days ago 
I think that names that are impossible to pronounce should be on this list (for most new RPG's anyway)

Like star wars, elder scrolls, mass effect, ect.
legory  - 8 months 29 days ago 
@ candyman

It sounds like Chrono Trigger, 'cause that's the one he's using as a reference.
xFnKxTaLeNtx  - 8 months 29 days ago 
Don't know what to say other than it was a good read. It made no sense at all, but still wanted me to finish the article... Weird
Predator428  - 8 months 29 days ago 
Good thing Bioware doesn't follow this formula.
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