Where are all the non-linear RPGs?

Earlier today, I found myself unrealistically frustrated that I couldn’t get a copy of The Elder Scrolls III (Morrowind) on my Xbox 360. A brownie and an episode of Futurama later, it turned out that I would live through disappointment. but it got me thinking. Why am I driven to play an RPG released almost a decade ago? Beyond that, why is this common in my life? Since the problem cannot be my fault, I decided that there must be something wrong with the state of development of RPGs in general.

Here’s the problem, as I see it: RPGs are getting simplified. I see new RPGs that tend towards linear play and fewer real player options. Take the third installment of Fable, for example: any real sense of player-led development has been lost. Fable III hardly bothers to hide the fact that both the protagonist’s story and growth are completely linear. Furthermore, this is not an isolated incident. The New Goth is another example (although I’m not sure if anyone other than me played the series to begin with). Previous incarnations of the Gothic involved royal choices over political allegiances and character development. However, the latest version is little more than a gimmick and a slash.

Listen RPG developers, the last thing I want to do is tell you that you can only make one type of game, but let’s think for a moment about the niche you occupy. I love first person shooter games. They are linear and you really don’t need / want to bother altering your character a lot (beyond gear). However, when I play an RPG I want more than just a first person shooter with a selection of fantastic hats. I want real options and real customization, a customization that doesn’t try to save me from my own bad decisions. If I want to put all my experience points into stealth and barter, let me!

For me, the fun of RPGs is based on two things: the sense of ownership I get from the complete freedom of character customization (down to the smallest detail) and the sense of accomplishment that comes from developing that character and overcoming the obstacles, the obstacles that sometimes come from my poor character development choices. The key is the choice, and the choice is based on everything non-linear.

Obviously, there are exceptions to my complaints here. I can’t tell you how excited I am for Skyrim. But I don’t understand why a genre that seems to be selling feels so stagnant. KOTOR sold. Morrowind sold. Fallout 3 sold. Sold New Vegas. Oblivion sold. So, RPG developers, grab a page from your playbooks and get down to business. Until then, I guess I’ll have to survive on one or two solid RPGs a year. Sigh. If you need me, I’ll be in the corner playing Planescape Torment and dreaming of a better tomorrow.