8 RPGs That Have Great Fatigue Mechanics

Key Takeaways

RPGs feature compelling status effect mechanics like Fatigue, impacting character performance and gameplay.
Exhaustion and other status effects like Tired in RPGs alter character behavior and stats, challenging player strategy.
RPG titles like Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Darkest Dungeon include unique status effects that add complexity to gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that each of these games offers a unique and immersive experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. Each one has its own charm and challenges, but if I were to choose, I’d have to go with The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.

In the realm of video games, Role-Playing Games (RPGs) are one of the most beloved genres. They provide players with a multitude of opportunities to traverse extensive universes as characters they select. This not only enhances enjoyment but also infuses intricacy into the storyline and even the battle systems used.

In many Role-Playing Games (RPGs), not all include Status Effects, but those that do offer players an extra layer of challenge in terms of game survival. Neglecting to feed or rest your party members can substantially alter the gameplay and character efficiency. One prevalent Status Effect across various RPGs is fatigue, with its repercussions differing from one game to another. Here are some top-tier RPGs that excel in their fatigue mechanics.

8 Pathologic 2

A Mysterious Outbreak Of The Plague Strikes A Remote Town

A surgeon must uncover the truth behind a mysterious plague
If players’ Exhaustion meter fills, they’ll start to lose health

Over the span of two weeks in a secluded and far-off settlement, Pathologic 2 immerses players in a scenario centered around a Plague epidemic. The protagonist, Artemy Burakh – a physician who was raised in this very town – finds himself tasked with unearthing the secrets behind the outbreak’s origins.

In contrast to some categorizing Pathologic 2 primarily as a survival horror or thriller, it also incorporates sufficient role-playing game (RPG) elements to warrant this classification. For instance, this game includes an Exhaustion Status Effect that accumulates daily. If players neglect to manage this effect, allowing it to reach its maximum level, their character will gradually lose health over time.

7 Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Exhaustion Can Make Characters Sluggish And Weak

Character customization gives players a lot of options
Exhaustion will affect characters and make them slower

Drawing on the appeal of established role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights 2, Pathfinder: Kingmaker delivers an immersive gaming experience that will captivate players for extended periods. Boasting various RPG aspects, such as custom character development, this game offers a high degree of adaptability and ensures players have ample room to shape their own enjoyable journey.

In the game ‘Pathfinder: Kingmaker’, one standout feature is the inclusion of the Exhaustion Status Condition, which significantly influences a character’s actions. Characters under this condition move at only half their normal speed and are unable to run or charge towards enemies. Furthermore, this Status Condition reduces their Strength and Dexterity by 6 points.

6 Expeditions: Viking

Traveling For Too Long Will Result In Weary Warriors

Platform(s): PC, GeForce Now
Released: April 27, 2017
Developer(s): Logic Artists
Genre(s): Tactical RPG, Strategy
A struggle for power in the Viking era
Players can cure fatigue by resting at a campsite and consuming a tonic

In the game Expeditions: Viking, one of its standout features is its captivating premise set during the Viking era, providing an authentic glimpse into Scandinavian societies. Initially, players assume the role of a chieftain overseeing their village, which seems prosperous. However, unbeknownst to them, a power struggle is brewing to seize control of the land and usurp their leadership position.

Title showcases diverse Status Ailments such as “Fatigue,” which reduces a third of the overall agility, awareness, and power ratings of player characters, significantly increasing difficulty. Fatigue usually sets in when players journey for extended periods without pausing, but it can be alleviated by camping and consuming a Vitality Elixir.

5 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

A Realistic Medieval Adventure With Tons Of Possibilities

A medieval story focusing on a young pleasant man
Players must sleep frequently to avoid getting tired

Instead of allowing players to embody royalty or famous knights like many medieval tales do, Kingdom Come: Deliverance opts for a unique approach by placing players as Henry, the blacksmith’s son who happens to be a peasant. With its unstructured narrative, intricate legal system, and skill-based side activities, this game offers an engaging and enjoyable experience set in the Middle Ages.

In the game “Kingdom Come: Deliverance,” the “Tired” effect diminishes your Stamina and Speech ability, potentially hindering your overall performance. To alleviate this issue, you can seek refuge at Inns for a peaceful sleep. However, sleeping in other people’s beds could lead to trouble, reducing the quality of your rest.

4 Neverwinter Nights 2

A Quest To Stop An Ancient Dormant Evil

Players must find a way to stop the King of Shadows
The “Fatigued” Status Effect reduces movement speed and penalizes Strength and Dexterity

In the game “Neverwinter Nights 2”, players assume the character of someone living in a tiny settlement that was previously a battleground, where it’s believed the King of Shadows (the primary villain) was vanquished. This title offers players an immersive storyline, encouraging them to employ any resources available to triumph over the dark forces.

In the game Neverwinter Nights 2, details about Status Effects might be scarce, but one known effect is the “Fatigued” status. This condition negatively impacts characters by decreasing their Strength and Dexterity stats by 2 each, and it also slows down movement speed by 10%.

3 Darkest Dungeon

A Gothic RPG That Will Put Players To The Test

16 different playable classes
Players can experience stress as they explore

Darkest Dungeon is often considered one of the most comprehensive games in its genre due to its rich assortment of gameplay elements and a roster of 16 playable characters, such as Crusaders, Hellions, Abominations, Plague Doctors, and Bounty Hunters. Essentially, players lead a band of heroes through ominous, damp dungeons, where they will face numerous challenging creatures.

Beyond just hidden threats, players should be aware that their experience can also be influenced by Status Effects such as stress. It’s not unexpected given that delving into a perilous dungeon is hardly a calming pastime.

2 Wasteland 3

A Group Of Rangers Struggles To Survive In A Merciless Environment

Players must strengthen their bases to survive the wasteland
Even without an actual “Fatigue” effect, there are others, like “Hangover” or “Fried” that add to the gaming experience

In approximately a hundred years from our present day, the game titled Wasteland 3 is set in the frigid wilderness of Colorado. Here, a band of rangers are fighting for survival and aim to create a livable region where society can rebuild and flourish. This party-based role-playing game invites players to collect resources and make upgrades to their ranger outpost as the narrative unfolds.

Although the game doesn’t have Fatigue Status Effects, it offers other captivating ones that make it a worthy inclusion in our list. For instance, the “Hangover” effect lowers Action Points by 2 and can last for 60 turns or 600 seconds. Another fascinating effect is “Fried”, which decreases evasion by 10% and persists for either 720 turns or 7200 seconds.

1 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

A Masterpiece, And The Precursor Of Skyrim

Oblivion helped lay the foundations for Skyrim
When the Fatigue bar reaches zero, damage output is reduced

scarcely any games in history can claim both the title of a fantastic RPG and the precursor to one of the most popular fantasy series ever. Although The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is set 200 years before The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, it significantly contributed to shaping the game’s future and offered players an unforgettable adventure that many continue to cherish.

Players are likely to recall the Fatigue meter, depicted as green on their screen interface. As this meter depletes to zero, Melee damage takes a substantial hit, and pickpocketing and stealth abilities become noticeably weakened. Alongside other engaging gameplay elements, this feature has solidified Oblivion as an enduring classic.

2024-10-30 15:34