Paradigmatic & Important Variants

After Diablo 2, Skill Tree mechanics has further developed and integrated into different genres other than RPG.

Today, let’s see some of the most influential and innovative skill trees in the modern video games. 

Path of Exile

One of the innovations of Path of Exile is its skill tree system. 

Influenced by eastern RPG’s Sphere Grid Skill Tree, Path of Exile provides a massive scale and beautiful Skill Tree system as we can see from the image below. Its Skill Tree system not only expanded the depth of the game, but also proved that video game can be art.

It is worth to mention that all characters in the game share the same Skill tree. Different characters start from different locations of the Skill Tree and different classes locations in relation to each other defines classes and sub-classes. This is smart because the designers only need to design and maintain one generic skill tree for every character. No doubt, this is one of the most successful variants of Skill Tree mechanics in ARPG genre. 

 Final Fantasy X

As the inspiration of Path of Exile, Final Fantasy X has the similar massive Skill Tree system. According to Yoshinori Kitase, the designer of the game, “the purpose behind the Sphere Grid is to give players an interactive means of increasing theirs

characters' attributes, so they can observe the development of those attributes firsthand.” (Wikia)

Torchlight 2

This is another example of a variant of Skill tree mechanics in ARPG. Nonetheless, Torchlight 2 didn’t create a massive Skill Tree system. Instead, it transferred the core skills of the original Diablo games into a small but efficient skill tree system. 

Each character has a three-tiered skill tree, which combines the active abilities and passive bonuses.  Take the red skills as the example, it is broken up into four tiers of power which is denoted as I, II, III bar. Every five talent points devoted to a skill will give the skill a passive bonus that transcends mere variable increases. This provides each skill more utility and gives the player more options. Player does not need to max level a single skill to let it be useful due to the existence of Bonuses. Nonetheless, three tires bring their own flavor of gameplay.  This innovation also provides the casual player a comfortable play experience, even they have a relative weak build. On the other hand, the hardcore player can also spend time to tune the perfect build. 

The only drawback of this compact Skill Tree its lack of long-term appeal and playability. Even so, it is an undeniable fact that it has one of the most powerful, and novelty skill tree ever conceived. 

Cursed Treasure 2

Cursed Treasure 2 is a good example of the integration of Skill Tree mechanics and tower defense genre. The game uses the Skill Tree to create a difficulty curve for the game. Player always gains right skill points after defeat, in order to progress to the next level. However, how to invest the skill points is also the challenging and interesting part of the game. 

Last but not least, the Skill Tree in this game also serves as a scalar of play complexity and progressive tutorial. Instead of receiving massive amounts of information at the same time, player starts with “just building a few simple towers and ending with all kinds of crazy upgrades, spell mechanics, and resource management the player must tend to all deeply rooted in the progression of this tree.” ( Berry, 2013).

Borderlands

http://borderlandsthegame.com/skilltrees/

Even first person shooters like Borderlands have found great success with the added depth that talent trees can bring to a game. However, the skill tree here is relatively simple. There is no close interaction between each skill. They are just imitation skill trees.

Upgrade Complete 2

The name of the game is self-explanatory. Yes, player can upgrade everything in the game including but not limited to game loading time, user interface, and scroll speed.

I don’t know if it is necessary, but definitely this is the one of the craziest and funniest variants of Skill Tree Mechanics.

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"Let’s Spec Into Talent Trees: A Primer for Game Designers"Game Development at Tutsplus. Retrieved 03 February 2015