TheRetroArcade
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Posts: 2,005
Joined: Feb 2026
Joined: Feb 2026
Do you prefer predefined heroes like Geralt, or do you want to make your own from scratch?
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Welcome to Dungeon Master, PC Gamer's regular RPG column, where Online Editor Fraser Brown (and guests) delves into PC gaming's most beloved and enduring genre. Grab a seat in our badly-lit tavern and please ignore the goblin puke.
What's better? An RPG that gives you a pre-defined character with an immutable history and set-in-stone personality traits, or one that lets you just create whatever kind of hero (or villain) you fancy? It's like comparing apples and oranges—by which I mean there's absolutely a correct answer. Clearly apples are the superior choice.
OK, maybe it's a trickier question than I'm making it out to be. When I initially decided I wanted you lot to tell me what you prefer, my own answer seemed to be clear. I want blank slates. I'm an old-school roleplayer, so I like my RPGs to give me the freedom and flexibility of a tabletop game, crafting my adventurer instead of stepping into a pre-existing character's shoes.
These RPGs tend to be the ones with the most extensive roleplaying options and build potential, and they're usually more fun to replay. I'm talking Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Dragon Age (to a degree), Fallout and Skyrim. Easy, then! That's my choice. Blank slates are apples.
Except, when I actually thought about the RPGs I love the most, with the stories I can't get out of my head, they were just as often the ones with more defined protagonists. Mass Effect, The Witcher, Disco Elysium, Planescape Torment—all games I'm absolutely smitten with.
What these games typically lack in buildcrafting fun, they tend to make up for with more resonant stories and evocative writing. And it's not like we cede control when we play these games. Of the bunch, The Witcher's Geralt is probably the most clearly defined, but the series is known for its gut-punching choices—your Geralt is probably a lot like my Geralt, but the adventures we have with him will still deviate quite a bit.
In Disco and Planescape, it's even more pronounced. Harry and The Nameless One have an established history and relationships, but the moment we take control we're given a great deal of freedom. Playing Disco as a hardcore communist with a side gig in paranormal investigations is a completely different experience from a fascist Judge Dredd-style playthrough.
Do I...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
You are now subscribed
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Want to add more newsletters?
Every Friday
GamesRadar+
Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.
Every Thursday
GTA 6 O'clock
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
Every Friday
Knowledge
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Every Thursday
The Setup
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Every Wednesday
Switch 2 Spotlight
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Every Saturday
The Watchlist
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Once a month
SFX
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
Welcome to Dungeon Master, PC Gamer's regular RPG column, where Online Editor Fraser Brown (and guests) delves into PC gaming's most beloved and enduring genre. Grab a seat in our badly-lit tavern and please ignore the goblin puke.
What's better? An RPG that gives you a pre-defined character with an immutable history and set-in-stone personality traits, or one that lets you just create whatever kind of hero (or villain) you fancy? It's like comparing apples and oranges—by which I mean there's absolutely a correct answer. Clearly apples are the superior choice.
OK, maybe it's a trickier question than I'm making it out to be. When I initially decided I wanted you lot to tell me what you prefer, my own answer seemed to be clear. I want blank slates. I'm an old-school roleplayer, so I like my RPGs to give me the freedom and flexibility of a tabletop game, crafting my adventurer instead of stepping into a pre-existing character's shoes.
These RPGs tend to be the ones with the most extensive roleplaying options and build potential, and they're usually more fun to replay. I'm talking Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Dragon Age (to a degree), Fallout and Skyrim. Easy, then! That's my choice. Blank slates are apples.
Except, when I actually thought about the RPGs I love the most, with the stories I can't get out of my head, they were just as often the ones with more defined protagonists. Mass Effect, The Witcher, Disco Elysium, Planescape Torment—all games I'm absolutely smitten with.
What these games typically lack in buildcrafting fun, they tend to make up for with more resonant stories and evocative writing. And it's not like we cede control when we play these games. Of the bunch, The Witcher's Geralt is probably the most clearly defined, but the series is known for its gut-punching choices—your Geralt is probably a lot like my Geralt, but the adventures we have with him will still deviate quite a bit.
In Disco and Planescape, it's even more pronounced. Harry and The Nameless One have an established history and relationships, but the moment we take control we're given a great deal of freedom. Playing Disco as a hardcore communist with a side gig in paranormal investigations is a completely different experience from a fascist Judge Dredd-style playthrough.
Do I...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?