Topic: Level scaling or not in an RPG

I'm curious what everyone thinks of scaling enemies in RPGs. I think they both have there advantages and disadvantages. I prefer nonscaling as I like the feel of gaining knowledge and power and then coming back to an early game area and being almost god like. Level scaling takes that away. I also feel some of the immersion of player growth goes away. I understand that when not used that area becomes useless later on, but for me a willing tradeoff. A few examples:

I'm replaying AC Odyssey. Love the game, but the world grows with you. I understand that all should continue to grow as time passes, however if my character is traveling across the world going from adventure to adventure, they should be a lot more knowledgeable and skilled then say a guard from the first land you start at. Yes it provides a continuous challenge then, but for me it takes too much out of character growth then.

Another example that uses level scaling is ESO. I played it long ago when it didn't have level scaling. It was fantastic, especially for a mostly solo player. I played until I got to the end game grind. I couple years later I thought I would jump in and build a new character, but the whole game changed to lvl scaling. It ruined it for me.

An example of non level scaling was Everquest. I often remember coming back to early zones going into an orc fort and obliterating everything in one spell. That was so much fun to feel the growth of my character.

I might be in the minority here as I tend think like a D&D player and often have a story in my head for my characters. How about you?

I hate scaling levels. It makes it feel like you haven't progressed at all. I like being able to wander back into a tough part of town that gave me trouble previously and then smash everything up once I'm hard.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is terrible for it. All of the enemies are really annoying throughout the entire game, and they've got far too much health. So you just end up in late game pointless battles that take forever that you get nothing from.

I’m interested in how the approach advertised for Gotham Knights works out in practice. Seems like an interesting idea.

Yeah I’m not a fan of scaling in certain games. It works in Skyrim because the combat isn’t really the main focus and it’s not really a game of ‘numbers’ per se. Whereas AC Odyssey did my head in with the scaling. It felt a bit weird. I had no idea ESO introduced level scaling and now that makes me really unlikely to go back to it.

Yeah, in general I’m not a fan of enemy scaling for the reasons stated. I’m in most of games for the story and sense of progression and accomplishment, and making the game adjust to your progress feels like chasing the dangled carrot.

I agree with mostly all of what you guys are saying. My favorite game of all time is Skyrim, and while it uses some level scaling, still, once you're godlike, you can take about anything. I can see the value in level scaling, to a degree, but what I think is perfect is maybe half-scaling? Baddies get a little tougher, but not enough to make previous areas of play a slogfest. I agree it's great fun to run through early game areas and wipe everything out with wrath. Great power trip! Interesting topic, I'll follow it.