Freedom is great. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to dress however we like, go where we want or do whatever we please (within the law, of course…). Choice, it seems, and the ability to think for ourselves, is what makes life interesting. Freedom in games, however, is a different matter. Too much and players can feel lost and not engaged in the game; too little, and the feeling of being led by the hand through the game begins to grate, and can ultimately end in boredom.

It obviously depends on the game in question, and the type of freedom available. The GTA series, for example, has a defined urban area, and then the choice to follow missions or go off and do as you please within that area. But what about RPGs? Does such a high level of freedom work in this genre, which is so dependant on storylines and keeping players involved in the plot?