... yeesh, where to begin? I guess I would say that I like all of them for what they offer. I like dark fantasy for its grittiness, but that doesn't mean that I think more classical fantasy sucks.
Mostly, I guess, I like the creator to really know what he/she is trying to do. They have a viewpoint on dark or classical fantasy, or maybe even something entirely new, and are creating it with that viewpoint in mind, instead of just throwing staple elements out there because it feels familiar.
Agreed Obi1. I want the dev/ devs to have a clear picture of "the world" they want. I love being able to "grow" my characters within an established framework.
Favourite Setting / World: The Discworld. I always knew I was in good hands with Pratchett, an absolute joy to read. And of all the writers, Pratchett has certainly had the most impact on me, not just my writing (which is readily apparent to some of you I'm sure), but my way of thinking and outlook on life.
Favourite Setting / World vaguely appropriate to what you're trying to create here: Willow? Magic, dark gritty nastiness, Val Kilmer. It had it all, really.
I've played a lot of Pen and Paper dungeons and dragons in live. At least 6+ years of AD&D 2nd edition. So my favorite fantasy setting is Faerun.
I've been on countless adventures, and written enough stories to fill dozens of books with my favorite characters. So the experiences and memories are my favorite part, and why I enjoy it so much.
They call me the Crier. No, I don't cry a lot. I deliver news you uncouth barbarian.
Discworld is the best. (I was almost tempted to keep my discoworld typo)
I suppose the worlds I like are the ones that feel like, even if the story stepped away, the world would keep on spinning, keep on breathing. The worlds that have a life all of their own.
"Now remember kids- If you don't use environmentally friendly technology, a giant technicolour inter-dimensional ghost squid will come down from space and eat everybody."
I enjoy settings where the limits and boundaries are not so clear and the tropes are not so rigid. A cookie cutter rpg world where mages are low hp and low defense and the player is fighting to collect 7 special gems to stop the evil from destroying the world in the name of the light, is not all that interesting.
Bias bias bias but I really liked The Continuum's IP. There was potential to open up just about any theme with expansions, and all the the existing themes did not need to exist in a single world cohesively due to The Crossroads being well, a crossroads of different worlds. We end up with vampires fighting dudes who can shatter the earth with their fists, cool stuff like that.
The "Wheel of Time Series" by Robert Jordan. I enjoyed the the back story of the fall from such an advance culture, the current diversity in cultures, and the magic system. I know that is vague but in truth it is the characters. I came to know and love many of them.
for novel magic systems I would have to say Bradon Saunderson's "Mistborn"
i will always love my first true Fantasy read......"The Belgariad" by David Eddings. Again with this one I came to truly feel like I knew the Characters.
Lastly, it would have to be " The Name of the Wind" this was just an amazingly write book with fleshed out Characters.
Doc
"Come on in stranger and have a drink....mind your boots on the floor"
I always enjoyed good old-fashioned Tolkenish fantasy. Elves and dwarves and goblins. All that good stuff.
Lately I have been enjoying humorous interpretations like discworld or a very enjoyable book called 'Off to Be the Wizard' by Scott Meyer (Wiz, no pun intended).
The "Wheel of Time Series" by Robert Jordan. I enjoyed the the back story of the fall from such an advance culture, the current diversity in cultures, and the magic system. I know that is vague but in truth it is the characters. I came to know and love many of them.
for novel magic systems I would have to say Bradon Saunderson's "Mistborn"
i will always love my first true Fantasy read......"The Belgariad" by David Eddings. Again with this one I came to truly feel like I knew the Characters.
Lastly, it would have to be " The Name of the Wind" this was just an amazingly write book with fleshed out Characters.
Doc
I'll have to read that one. My favorite book of all time has got to be Enders Game. But that's for another time.
My favorite fantasy setting has got to be the "new world" feel. Big open beautiful landscapes for the heroes to explore. Lush green meadows, deep dark caves. With a medieval/clock work theme.
My favorite fantasy setting has got to be the "new world" feel. Big open beautiful landscapes for the heroes to explore. Lush green meadows, deep dark caves. With a medieval/clock work theme.
I will never forget that "what is around the next corner" feel of my first real MMO experience. Exploration can make a good setting into an amazing experience.
The "Wheel of Time Series" by Robert Jordan. I enjoyed the the back story of the fall from such an advance culture, the current diversity in cultures, and the magic system. I know that is vague but in truth it is the characters. I came to know and love many of them.
for novel magic systems I would have to say Bradon Saunderson's "Mistborn"
i will always love my first true Fantasy read......"The Belgariad" by David Eddings. Again with this one I came to truly feel like I knew the Characters.
Lastly, it would have to be " The Name of the Wind" this was just an amazingly write book with fleshed out Characters.
Doc
The Name of Wind, Day of The Kingkiller Chronicles, is my favorite book series ever. So freaking good.
I've read the others as well, except "The Belgariad". I take it you'd recommend it?
They call me the Crier. No, I don't cry a lot. I deliver news you uncouth barbarian.
My favorite concept in the fantasy realm has always been the concept of fluid time. Start it off medieval or w/e, but have it fluidly be relative within a multiverse of timelines that are interactive but fluid within each other but not superior to each other. Medieval times could have magic, angels, demons, while future has lasers, robots, and aliens, etc. Different, and each have abilities that have pros/cons
The lore behind to world of DragonStorm the card based RPG was exceptional. Everything had a reason and a place, but was loose enough that a fair GM could piece together a good story with little effort. That being said, I am a formost fan of medieval fantasy games the more variety they have in character creation and advancement the better.
I mostly read Fantasy books and watch anime. I like open worlds, many realms and kingdoms spread out on a continent or surrounded by untamed areas. Swords, bows, and magic are all welcome, I tend to shy from guns and more modern weaponry. The world can be strictly human, or have many types of intelligent races. Lots of action and plotting is always a plus.
What's better then making good beer? Drinking good beer!
I suppose, classic Fantasy is my preferred. LOTR, Dragonlance books, Warhammer. These are the ones I get drawn into. Especially Dwarfs, I love their gritty nature and us against the world attitude.
Really liked the stories of a group of companions thrown together and tested under extreme circumstances. After that really liked the whole world of Krynn especially the Dwarven history side in their stories. My fascination with Dwarfs though is probably from Warhammer as they were my first army.
Yeah, I love both of those settings. I was partial to the Twins in Dragonlance-- was constantly taken aback by how unbelievably mean Raistlin always was to the long-suffering Caramon. The tragedy that underscored the series always got to me.
For me, I love High fantasy, classic tolkein style worlds just because that was my first epic fantasy exposure.
But the kind of Fantasy I am magnetically attracted to is Steampunk. It can be magical Steampunk (Warmachine/Iron Kingdoms) or technological Steampunk (The Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfield). I love the wild "anything goes" mentality of it. Some characters might use a magical sword passed down by their Father's Father's Father, others might use technology to create a machine of intelligence and destruction. You might run into a bruiser type that uses a chain gun driven by messy pistons and steam, or an elegant assassin who strikes from the shadows and misty filled alleyways. I just like it it a lot.
Has anyone read the Flex, Flux and (upcoming) Fix trilogy by Ferret Steinmetz? It's the fantasy I've gotten into most recently, but it's modern urban, so maybe not applicable to this context. Still, the way that magic system works is really unique and cool.
Also, everyone should read Jo Walton's 2012 Hugo winner Among Others. It's a love letter to all the classic SF and fantasy books up to and through the 80s, in addition to being a great fantasy story itself.
First among the Smitten. The few, the proud, the slightly squished.
I have read none of these. The last fantasy I read was... Well eff I don't remember. Been reading mystery and near future speculative fiction recently (the Nexus trilogy is fantastic, by the way.) I'll have to add these to the list
Definitely forests related with magical/nature content and purple/greenish lightning. Dark, bloody and twisted caves and grass planes with a lot of nature, peaks with waterfalls also amaze me a lot.
TheWizard
Posts: 838 Wizard
Comments
Mostly, I guess, I like the creator to really know what he/she is trying to do. They have a viewpoint on dark or classical fantasy, or maybe even something entirely new, and are creating it with that viewpoint in mind, instead of just throwing staple elements out there because it feels familiar.
The Discworld. I always knew I was in good hands with Pratchett, an absolute joy to read. And of all the writers, Pratchett has certainly had the most impact on me, not just my writing (which is readily apparent to some of you I'm sure), but my way of thinking and outlook on life.
Favourite Setting / World vaguely appropriate to what you're trying to create here:
Willow? Magic, dark gritty nastiness, Val Kilmer. It had it all, really.
I've been on countless adventures, and written enough stories to fill dozens of books with my favorite characters. So the experiences and memories are my favorite part, and why I enjoy it so much.
I suppose the worlds I like are the ones that feel like, even if the story stepped away, the world would keep on spinning, keep on breathing. The worlds that have a life all of their own.
Bias bias bias but I really liked The Continuum's IP. There was potential to open up just about any theme with expansions, and all the the existing themes did not need to exist in a single world cohesively due to The Crossroads being well, a crossroads of different worlds. We end up with vampires fighting dudes who can shatter the earth with their fists, cool stuff like that.
-Mr Seige
for novel magic systems I would have to say Bradon Saunderson's "Mistborn"
i will always love my first true Fantasy read......"The Belgariad" by David Eddings. Again with this one I came to truly feel like I knew the Characters.
Lastly, it would have to be " The Name of the Wind" this was just an amazingly write book with fleshed out Characters.
Doc
I'll SMITE you
doc
Dragons
Knights
Castles
Not sure why ...
Maybe because dragons are bad a$$
Lately I have been enjoying humorous interpretations like discworld or a very enjoyable book called 'Off to Be the Wizard' by Scott Meyer (Wiz, no pun intended).
My favorite fantasy setting has got to be the "new world" feel. Big open beautiful landscapes for the heroes to explore. Lush green meadows, deep dark caves. With a medieval/clock work theme.
I've read the others as well, except "The Belgariad". I take it you'd recommend it?
Doc
Drinking good beer!
I'll SMITE you
I'll SMITE you
I'll SMITE you
But the kind of Fantasy I am magnetically attracted to is Steampunk. It can be magical Steampunk (Warmachine/Iron Kingdoms) or technological Steampunk (The Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfield). I love the wild "anything goes" mentality of it. Some characters might use a magical sword passed down by their Father's Father's Father, others might use technology to create a machine of intelligence and destruction. You might run into a bruiser type that uses a chain gun driven by messy pistons and steam, or an elegant assassin who strikes from the shadows and misty filled alleyways. I just like it it a lot.
I'll SMITE you
Also, everyone should read Jo Walton's 2012 Hugo winner Among Others. It's a love letter to all the classic SF and fantasy books up to and through the 80s, in addition to being a great fantasy story itself.
I'll SMITE you