Open-World or Plot-Driven?, Which do you prefer? Options

[TheDreamWriter]

This is the basis of a new long-term game project that I am developing (Explorer, exclusive to RPGRev).

It is an open-world explorer with no pre-set plot. The game will evolve around the player's game style.

If you complete a quest, it may unlock one quest but lock another from access. But, at the same time, you could sit at home farming.

Do people think it would be better for a game to be open-world or plot-driven?

~TDW

[phxDansuke]

I think there should be a balance between open world and plot driven.

For example, you have a wide open world to explore, but you can only go south because if you go somewhere else, you will know monsters are way too difficult. Because people grinding is something seen as both good and bad depending on the player, you should put sidequests that actually tells you a little bit more about the plot, or the characters' backstory and motivations. You know, like anime filler that actually makes sense.

That way you can level up your character and be more immersed into your story, and you're ready to go to higher grounds. Now, for people who loves to kill monsters and battle, you should put very elaborate dungeons and secrets and stuff in the more difficult areas, as an incentive to explore and be stronger.

And to avoid bosses being overpowered or underpowered, each should require a different strategy (for the immersive player), or enough HP to actually be difficult to button mash (for the offensive player)

In conclusion, get the best of both worlds

[Jens of Zanicuud]

I am for plot-driven games, like TWEWY and/or 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.
If I have to be honest, the plot is exactly what I seek in a RPG game.
Some of my friends played Skyrim for a whole bunch of hours, and I saw it played for a good amount of time, but I think it is only a game with a good gameplay and countless options/sidequest, nothing more.
The perfect synthesis would be a plot-driven game with multiple endings according to the player's choices.
This is, in my opinion, the best way to connect freedom/exploration together with a solid plot, adding replay value.

Jens