D&D settings that you'd like to see in a CRPG

[Stabwound]

There are rarely any D&D video games released at all lately, the last one being Daggerdale, the horrible hack and slash game that was universally panned by reviewers. Before that was Neverwinter Nights 2, the last actual D&D CRPG, so you can see how few games are released. Daggerdale probably fucked over the chances of another D&D game being released for a while.

Let's say that the upcoming Wasteland 2 and the Baldur's Gate "enhanced editions" spark a new interest in CRPGs and another new game was to be released using the D&D ruleset. I'm not very familiar with the different D&D settings, but are there any good ones that would be cool in a CRPG, and are still used by Wizards of the Coast today? We all know that the Forgotten Realms is extremely overused in CRPGs; almost every D&D game uses this setting other than the few obvious examples, and I'd rather see almost anything else than FR again.

I'd personally love a return to the Dark Sun world, which I think is way more interesting than the Forgotten Realms. Dark Sun 1 and 2 are two of my favorite CRPGs ever, and it's a big shame that the setting was never used again after Dark Sun online died, which is a game I never got to play. It looks like Dark Sun got an overhaul in 4e, so it's still in WoTC's minds and could be a candidate for a game. Assuming that CRPGs are even ever made again.

Other than that and Planescape, the other D&D settings I can think of (Dragonlance, Greyhawk, etc) are close enough to Forgotten Realms that they might as well be the same thing. Dark Sun and Planescape are cool because they're vastly different than the typical "elves and goblins" of every other D&D CRPG. Are there any other unique settings that would be interesting for a CRPG?

 

[deuxhero]

I doubt we need to wait that long with 5e and the license up for grabs.

Eberron is rather neat, just hope they don't screw it over in 5e.

Spelljamer wouldn't go over well with today's "not grimdark=terrible" crowd, but it could be fun.

 

[Excidium]

I'd rather not have yet another D&D game.

But if it had to be, I'm with you on Dark Sun.

 

[Baron]

Whatever planet The Witcher was set in.

 

[Jasede]

Spelljammer, Dark Sun, Planescape and, if done well, Ravenloft.
If you don't know Spelljammer, it's about exploring space with magical ships. Ravenloft is about a pretty gothic horror world. Sounds lame? I think MCA could work some magic there, or anyone else with talent to tell a tall tale and really take advantage of video games as a medium.

We just haven't seen nearly enough games in these settings. They offer a wealth of opportunity to tell stories.

 

[Quetzacoatl]

Spelljammer or more Planescape. Hell, anything not set in the fucking Sword Coast would be refreshing.

 

[Alex]

I have been reading some Greyhawk and, while maybe not "unique", the setting has a particular charm, and really isn't all that much like Forgotten Realms. Mystara is pretty interesting too, some of its Gazetteers from the 90s are pretty freaking good. And I would love to play a game where you get to explore the hollow world, specially if the GM is good and turn pulp influences up to eleven.

Also, would Tékumel count as a D&D setting?

 

[Cosmo]

Planescape, Birthright. Those were the only true innovative settings.

 

[circ]

Spelljammer

Also, Space 1889 or other steampunk. Al-Quadium too or whatever it was called.

 

[Roderick]

Dark Sun, Planescape

 

[MMXI]

I'd take a game with any setting as long as it features proper turn-based D&D rules and no retarded real-time shit. I wouldn't even care if it was set in the Forgotten Realms again. In these dark times it pays to not be too picky.

Also, Space 1889 or other steampunk.

That's not D&D.

 

[Stabwound]

Yeah, I'd certainly not turn down a Forgotten Realms game, but I'd rather have a Dark Sun game. I was just wondering if there were any cool and unique settings that would work well in a CRPG.

 

[sgc_meltdown]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_&_Dragons_campaign_settings

truly we are spoiled for choice

 

[Stabwound]

Wow, I totally forgot about Al-Quadim. I loved that game as a kid, although I'm sure it's aged horribly. When I played it as a kid I associated it with Dark Sun, since I played them around the same time. I didn't know it was separate, and according to that wikipedia page it's now been assimilated into Forgotten Realms.

It was a pretty cool setting, but the game itself was a weird action RPG. Maybe more of an action game with light RPG elements, I barely remember now. Something like a more RPG-esque Zelda.

 

[Zed]

Forgotten Realms!
Given some liberty, it has pretty much everything.
Just avoid Drizzt.

 

[Stabwound]

Yeah, if it's going to be Forgotten Realms then put it somewhere else than the tired Sword Coast. I mean, looking at a map of the area there are tons of varied places in Faerun that haven't been covered. Icewind Dale wasn't bad, at least for being different from the endless forests and wooded areas that make up most of Baldur's Gate. And definitely keep Drizzt out of it, yes yes yes. Elminster... I guess he would be okay if he were more fleshed out. The quick cameo by the two in Baldur's Gate annoyed me, to be honest.

I see there are desert areas on the continent, too. I love Dark Sun because it's just a desert world, not post-apocalyptic, which is refreshing. I simply love the world in the Dark Sun games.

Gah, I'd still rather have something totally unique from FR.

 

[visions]

Ravenloft.

 

[bussinrounds]

I'd take a game with any setting as long as it features proper turn-based D&D rules and no retarded real-time shit. I wouldn't even care if it was set in the Forgotten Realms again. In these dark times it pays to not be too picky.

Exactly.

What setting was KotC in ? (Haven't played it yet)

 

[sgc_meltdown]

What setting was KotC in ?

Inclineberranzan, a generic fantasy land made of beautiful scenic pixels, powerwalking empty dungeon estate visitors and dragons that refuse to fly

 

[Darkforge]

Dark Sun, Ravenloft or Dragonlance. (war of the lance and legends era.)

I will never play another FR DND game, so sick of that monty haul setting...

 

[mediocrepoet]

I could go for a game set in Birthright or Dark Sun. To be honest, I'd even go for Dragonlance or (if I had to) back to the Forgotten Realms if they'd implement the ruleset properly and had some interesting customizations and party development. It wouldn't matter what the setting was if it was another hack'n'slash shitfest that was only related to D&D by the licensed title.

While we're dreaming, how about using 3E or 2E instead of 4E for the game's mechanics?

 

[SCO]

Some really happy setting where you don't get into combat... ever.

 

[mondblut]

I'd love me another Ravenloft game, but there is a little chance of it since WOTC revoked the license from Swords & Sorcery, only to release a shit boardgame and shelf it.

 

[communard]

Wishing for a new D&D game is pointless since WOTC have shat profusely on pretty much all their good ones in recent editions. And they really don't strike me as a company that would license out their old stuff. So unless 5E brings massive incline both mechanics and lore wise I don't WANT another D&D game. Now a game based on the Pathfinder rule set would be neat, with a setting hand-crafted by MCA. Oh lawdy.

 

[Metro]

As cliche as it is I preferred the Forgotten Realms -- just seems like it had more political intrigue. Or, at least, they spent the most time fleshing it out. Dragonlance was pretty generic good versus evil stuff. Can't really speak of the others like Ravenloft, El Qaddim, etc. Perhaps if they were developed a bit more.