Decline RPGs with editable in-game journals & maps

[7h30n]

As I'm nearing the end of my 1st ever playthrough of Might & Magic 2, I've gotten used to keeping notes on almost everything found in the game. Ever since I started dabbling into such old games, it's normal to do so. I actually did the same with a "modern" game, Arcanum and am doing it for my 1st playthrough of Baldur's Gate (vanilla).

What I find particularly odd is the fact that both the old and new RPGs almost never allow you to make your own annotations to provided in game journal or map. What's the deal with that? When I finished Ultima Underworld and System Shock 1 couple of years ago, the in-game map was one of the best things I've ever seen! Sure, modern games have quest compass, thorough maps and journals, but sometimes I wish having plain old handwritten notes...

If you have games to recommend with similar (or better) logging abilities of Ultima Underworld, please post them.

 

[Lord_Potato]

Serpent in the Staglands has a journal which you fill out yourself.

 

[octavius]

As I'm nearing the end of my 1st ever playthrough of Might & Magic 2, I've gotten used to keeping notes on almost everything found in the game. Ever since I started dabbling into such old games, it's normal to do so. I actually did the same with a "modern" game, Arcanum and am doing it for my 1st playthrough of Baldur's Gate (vanilla).

Personally I screenshot everything that can be either of importance or worthy of posting in the Screenshots thread.
Much more convenient than taking notes, and with manual notes I often wondered what hell I had written.

 

[Dorateen]

The original Realms of Arkania series had this feature.

 

[Morkar Left]

I think Bloodstone had this, maybe even the Magic Candle 3 had it, too.

 

[V_K]

I think Bloodstone had this, maybe even the Magic Candle 3 had it, too.

It wasn't terribly useful in those games though as the journal would save every conversation automatically anyway.

 

[eric__s]

Stonekeep let you edit your map, write journal entries, and even name and annotate items and magic spells. It had the most interactive journal that I'm aware of.

 

[Beastro]

with manual notes I often wondered what hell I had written.

But that's half the fun!

 

[Farewell young Prince into the night]

You can write notes on the map in Legend of Grimrock 2.

 

[Yosharian]

At first I thought you wrote 'in-game journalists', I was a bit worried

 

[DraQ]

Maps: Off the top of my head - Morrowind and Wizardry 8.

 

[Lilura]

You can keep your own journal in NWN:

Spoiler

 

[Comte]

Ultima Underworld 1 and 2 allowed you to write notes on your map.