What does it take to have a great RPG ?

I mean I've seen a few Rpg's out there in my day, doin' their own thing:

some strategy:
FF Tactics
Myth II

some traditional:
Lunar
FF 1-whatever

some adventure:
Zelda
Alundra
Valykrie ---Profile ?(that game that came out a minute ago)

even some innovational hybrids:
Legends of LeGaia

But what does it take to be the best, and if you already are how do you stay that way ?

Game developer's and hobbyist list your links, I'm interested to know what other's are up to, I've included my own in my signature line, don't be a nobody

take my poll here at Ill_a_nois'RPG input Poll

I've edited the message only for typos
------------------
(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ill_a_nois/index.html") My main page(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ill_a_nois/randd.html") My current project page if you like it, give me a buzz(/url)
(url="http://"mailto:ill_a_nois@yahoo.com")mailto:ill_a_nois@yahoo.com(/url)ill_a_nois@yahoo.com

What makes a good RPG?

THE STORYLINE.

If you have a good storyline, anyone will play it. But don't make it one of those (no offense) 'anime' storylines in which the plot doesn't go forward, it bloats and bloats so that if you happen to watch one episode, you won't understand anything because there's no way to pick up on what happened before.

Also: bad graphics usually turn people away. If you can't draw, draw a lot. Draw on anything. Draw your characters. Whatever. Or get a friend to draw. I wouldn't play a good storyline game if it was in DOS. Well, maybe I would. But it would be really bad. Graphics=$$ in today's world.

Cutscenes and Dialogue: Use LOTS of these, unless your RPG is huge. I realize that you'll have to real a 600 page manual to make a simple 3D model, but it's worth it. Also, you can just get something like Bryce demo and take screenshots of the screen. Bryce has a very user-friendly interface. Just don't fool around too much, you'll regret it.

Have you ever played Marathon? Now that game's old, but the storyline rocks.

-cybergnu

------------------

Oh Graphics you say well check these out for a little taste

page updated Saturday :

(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ill_a_nois/randd.html")http://www.geocities...nois/randd.html(/url)

go and enjoy

------------------
(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ill_a_nois/index.html") My main page(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ill_a_nois/randd.html") My current project page if you like it, give me a buzz(/url)
(url="http://"mailto:ill_a_nois@yahoo.com")mailto:ill_a_nois@yahoo.com(/url)ill_a_nois@yahoo.com

As said before, you need a good storyline and good graphics. Action and a few dialoge bit certianly helps quite a bit

------------------
Had to alter sig because it was pissing me off

I hve a story it, however is being kept a secretjust for the heck of it, I mean I'm posting the graphics and other details. I might release a snippet later but for now have an art appreciation check out my R and D page.

------------------
(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ill_a_nois/index.html") My main page(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ill_a_nois/randd.html") My current project page if you like it, give me a buzz(/url)
(url="http://"mailto:ill_a_nois@yahoo.com")mailto:ill_a_nois@yahoo.com(/url)ill_a_nois@yahoo.com