Stories in Games Overrated!

[VideoGameCritic]

One thing that's REALLY got on my nerves recently is how certain gamers (and some reviewers) complain about games not having good enough stories and dialogue.  Most recently Gears of Wars was criticized for it.  Granted, stories do play a role in certain genres (like RPGs) but in general the thing is overblown.

I say, If you're looking for a story, go rent a movie or read a book.  Video games are supposed to be interactive entertainment, not passive narratives.  And when the story gets to be more important that the gameplay, something is wrong. If a developer can weave a clever storyline into a game, that's fine, but it's certainly not necessary.  As a guy who cut his game teeth shooting floating rocks in space with a triangular ship, I didn't need a story "back in the day" and I don't now.

I'll open it up to discussion.

[chrisbid1]

i agree 100 percent

[snakeboy1]

Yeah, I hate how every single game needs to have a bunch of cut scenes to tell the story.  I guess there are some games that benefit from this, but for the most part, they only succeed in making the game longer and more boring.

[feilong801]

I disagree. I believe, and indeed know, that video games are a fascinating story telling medium. And I think it's critically important that the writing in games continue to improve. And I think it generally is, but it is still a growing area. In the industry itself, we are just starting to see dedicating writing teams that simply work on the story only, as opposed to earlier days when a story was simply "tacked on."

 

Gears of War's dialogue was silly. That doesn't mean it isn't a great game, because it is. But the dialogue was almost leetspeak, and it seemed absurd that characters like that would talk in that way. And no, I'm not talking about swearing. It's fine for characters to swear in a mature game. It was the type of swearing; it make me feel like I was in a college dormitory. These guys all looked pretty battle hardened. They didn't look like raw recruits.

 

It is perfectly OK that some people don't care about this, or disagree, but the dialogue hurt my sense of immersion in the game.

 

I should also point out that there has been a tradition (as I'm sure most of you know) of story based gaming since text adventures in the early 80's (and earlier!). BioWare has completely built themselves upon fantastic story based gaming, with complex dialogue trees and interesting moral choices.

 

However, I will also argue that an interesting story can't fix a broken game, and a game with awesome gameplay and a mediocre story is probably still quite fun. I would also argue that a story needn't be weird to be a good and interesting addition to a game. Twilight Princess' story is better than Contact's "weird, subversive" story, even though TP has a pretty standard "save the world" plot. I like saving the world. I have *no* problem with that.

 

I like to read novels, but I think games can tell a story in a different and fascinating way. The interaction with the tale itself, plus the often fascinating art direction influence the experience in a new, different manner than the novel could. 

 

Happily, we are seeing the resurgence of the story based game right now on the DS, with Phoenix Wright's success as well as Hotel Dusk. Hotel Dusk, by the way, is a suberb example of what a "game" can do with great writing. The dialogue is incredible, and the art direction is fantastic. Everything comes together to create a new level of immersion. I think m0zart called it a great point and click adventure experience. I would agree 100%. 

 

To sum things up (the bored among us can just skip to this part, just like hitting the A button during a boring cutscene): I feel that great narrative in games can enhance a game, sometimes tremendously. And I also appreciate games where story is the primary element (adventure games, certain RPG styles, etc.). But there is room for the marketplace for a simple shooter like Gears of War. Gears and Hotel Dusk were both excellent recent purchases.

 

Just my take, anyhow. This is one of my favorite subjects in the gaming industry.

 

-Rob

www.rumblepak.net

[Edward M]

It all depends. Arcade Style shooters don't need them. The PS2  Contra games didn't need a story, and I found myself skipping them every time they came up.  Hell, I didn't even know the previous stories.  I just assumed the game was about guys killing stuff, thats all you need to know.  I also found the story in Klonoa to be horribly long and I skipped those cutscenes.

But sometimes if a story is good in action games, I don't mind if it is long.   I didn't mind the fact that I spend half my time in the Metal Gear Series in cutscenes because they were so interesting.  I am glad they are there.   But for every metal Gear out there, there are 10 wannabes with long stories that have me reaching for the pause button.

But for huge adventure games the story can make or break it.   For example the Star Wars KOTOR series wouldn't be nearly as good if it didn't have an awesome story.  The awesome attention to detail in Oblivion and the fact that you could find books on the creation of the empire or even read novels really made that game.  I also really appreciated the story of Okami.

[wur1]

I agree.  I think story is indespensible in a few series (Metal Gear and Half-Life), but these are rare exceptions. 

[Alienblue]

First off, VGC, are you taking mean pills lately? Most of your posts are "OVERRATED!!!" like you are mad at EVERYthing...?

As to the topic, like others I say it depends. Obviously RPGs and Adventure (including old text adventures like ZORK) need good stories so you can be a PART of the story.

But I completely agree that stories in action games are utterly worthless...I recall back in the early 2600 days, how Atari would make up stories to go with simple ARCADE games (Like Berzerk ... "TRAPPED! On the Planet MAZEON!") Give me a break. Most action games can be summed up as: "Shoot or hit or avoid anything that moves, try to get to the next level by shooting everything, picking up everything or driving or running fast enough."
Enough said!

[blazer]

I don't think this is limited to my opinion but I really didn't find Metal Gear Solid's storyline all that great. It seems to be heavily over-hyped courtesy to the console community. You have to admit that an ample amount of plot twists were rather pointless.

To top it all of, the game simply needed more substance instead of polish on detail and motion blurring. Does anyone else agree with me?

[JustLikeHeaven1]

I've always viewed it like this...

 

No videogames don't need stories, but it doesn't hurt when they have a good one.  It's like a little extra perk.  That being said, it still sucks to trudge through 90% of the games that have really bad stories. 

 

Also its worth noting that in my personal experience a game with a great story is usually one that will get finished...even if the gameplay isn't on par with the storytelling.

[Pikachu Is Evil]

You are absolutely right critic!

 

Keep those mean pills comin'. (Wish I had some medicene pills right now... flu sucks...)