I'm looking to dive into a new RPG to sink a hundred hours into, but I'm torn between several major 2024 releases. I've heard great things about the narrative depth and choice-driven gameplay in one of the big fantasy titles, but I'm also intrigued by a sci-fi RPG that promises deep character customization and a reactive world. For other players who have spent significant time with this year's top contenders, which game has the most satisfying progression system and side content that doesn't feel like filler? How do the stories and companion characters compare, and are any of them particularly buggy or poorly optimized on PC at launch? I value a strong, emotionally engaging main quest above all else.
Totally fair question. When I’m evaluating big 2024 RPGs, I focus on the emotional weight of the main quest, how choices actually steer scenes or endings, and the depth of the progression loop. I also look at whether side content feels integrated into worldbuilding or just padding, and I watch for PC performance and bugs at launch.
Story and companions: seek companions with their own stakes and arcs that respond to your decisions. Look for quests that reveal their motivations, or alter their relationships based on your dialogue choices. If there are romances or rival trajectories, see how flexible they are with different playstyles. Voice acting quality and consistency matter for immersion.
Progression and side content: a solid system should reward varied playstyles—skill trees, crafting, or mechanics that unlock new approaches, not just loot. Side quests should feel meaningful: tie into the main story, illuminate the world, or unlock new capabilities. Beware filler tasks; if you’re doing 6-8 hours of side content with little payoff, the pacing will wear on you.
Bug/PC launch: expect some instability early; check patch notes and user forum consensus a few weeks after release. Watch for crashes, stutter, long loading times, or driver conflicts. If you're sensitive to performance, consider waiting for a patch or a sale that includes a day-one patch fix.
Practical evaluation plan: pick 2–3 titles, allocate 12–15 hours each to the first act and a couple of side quests. Use a weighted rubric: story weight 40%, progression 25%, side content 15%, companions 10%, technical stability 10%. Jot notes on how the world reacts to choices, and how the main quest feels emotionally. Compare and pick.
Happy to tailor: share the exact titles and your platform, and I’ll draft a quick side-by-side, rank them, and suggest the optimal play order to experience the strongest story first while still sampling side content and endgame. Also I can note known issues on PC at launch.