The joy of simple, no-fuss gaming: why I miss games like Dungeon Siege

Somewhere along the way, video games became homework.

I don’t mean that in a bad way—there’s something deeply rewarding about mastering complex systems, experimenting with intricate builds, and deep-diving into mechanics. But sometimes, I just want to sit down, boot up a game, and have fun without watching YouTube guides, reading skill trees, or learning optimal button rotations.

That’s why I miss games like Dungeon Siege.

Out of Eden: Space Siege Trailers

For a guy who's currently unemployed, let me tell you that I'm keeping myself quite busy! And though a lot of my time these days is spent thinking, breathing and living the life of an EVE capsuleer (besides all the RL chores that keep popping on the endless list - you married guys know what I mean!), there are times when I'm doing geek stuff which isn't related to EVE. Really!

The following video is one of those things that catches my attention. As the title of this post suggests, this is not related to EVE. I'll use the "Out of Eden" prefix for anything and everything that is not related to EVE Online, because I'm a neat freak and like to have things in order!

The two trailers below are of Space Siege, an upcoming RPG from Gas Powered Games; the same guys behind the Dungeon Siege (DS) series and the recently Supreme Commander RTS (which I haven't played). I've been through all the DS series and really like the style and approach they've taken. Though the original DS was simplistic in its approach, I liked the fact that your character would increase in skills depending on the type of combat it used. It was simple, yet effective.






Now the fact that this new game will be space-based is a real bonus. Don't get me wrong, I really like the Fantasy settings, but Science-Fiction has always been the preferred setting - whether it's in movies, books, video games or RPGs. So I'm really excited about this game. I'm currently reading Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson (and highly recommend the Malazan Book of the Fallen series), but if I look at my bookshelves, most of it is filled with sci-fi stuff - I. Asimov, F. Herbert, R. Heinlein, A. C. Clark, KSR, S. R. Donaldson - even the RPGs - Heavy Gear, Jovian Chronicles, Core Command (all from DreamPod 9), Traveler or Robotech. Though I do have a lot of Tolkien and Forgotten Realms!

Since I devote a lot of time to EVE, I like my other games to be easy to pick-up and start playing. So I'm looking forward to this one! What other games keep you Out of Eden?