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

[Jonnie19]

See, you cannot just choose one or the other because without the other the game becomes dull and boring. You need to ensure that you have a balance between the two.

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

Basically this. You need a plot otherwise you end up running around with no structure, and a game with no structure is like a body with no bones in my opinion. Just a lump of mess.

Now I'm not saying it has to have a rigid structure. but some form of structure even if it's just which world order is ideal. Lets take FFX-2 for an example.

Now you can go straight through with "Hotspots" to progress the game to the next section. However there are other missions that can be completed, which not only increase game completion but introduces more aspects of the story line including the ideals of New Yevvon and the Youth League, and of course finding as many sphere's as possible to find out about whiny bit....I mean Tidus. and the sphere hunting...and the Ultimate Dresspheres...and the list continues.

That, although many people really hate FFX-2, is a brilliant example of a game that incorporates both an Open World and a structured story line.
/end WOT