Let's be honest. Stories in games are 90% of the time are pieces of crap. Here's all the story I need: You are a good guy. Kick the bad guy's teeth in.
While not my favorite game of all time, I like the refreshing approach Donkey Kong Jungle Beat took because the mission is understood from the get go: Kick ass.
Funkmaster V
Thats the problem with better system specs and FMV. Give a game designer that tool, and they think they're Steven Speilberg. Not to be harsh, but if they were truly talented story writers and cutscene directors, they would be writing books or screenplays and directing movies. In the videogame universe, less is nearly always more.
Thats the problem with better system specs and FMV. Give a game designer that tool, and they think they're Steven Speilberg. Not to be harsh, but if they were truly talented story writers and cutscene directors, they would be writing books or screenplays and directing movies. In the videogame universe, less is nearly always more.
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I don't think that's true anymore. I'm quite positive that many talented people who 20 years ago would have gone into Hollywood are instead going into games. It's the new frontier of entertainment.
-Rob
When a game has a great story its always a positive. A great plot can act as a reward to a gamer. You want to continue playing just to see what is going to happen next. I agree with everyone here that 90% if stories are worthless, but those rare exceptions make the games that much better.
I think the hardest thing isn't actually the story...its coming up with unique characters that you actually give a rats ass about. Most games the characters fit into a typical mold...as do the villians. Its hard to get wrapped up in a story with cookie cutter characters.
When they create interesting unique characters its easier to follow the story...it even makes the story better. How many games have you played to the end just because the villian was so evil that you actually hated him and couldn't wait to kill that SOB at the end?
Stories make a good game even more satisfying if done right. I really wish more games had better stories and plots...
Rob's right. The story is important. Especially, when instead of just sitting there watching a cut scene you can interact within it. That's when the story becomes a great experience. I love walking up to people in Oblivion and they're having their own conversations. Or if a few morons are yammering away - well, stop listening to them and go do something else. That's an immersive experience and one that I wish all games from here on out do. Allow your character to be a part of the story, cut scene, etc.
In Gears most of the cut scenes with talking dialog still allowed me to be in control. I just walked during the scenes. Really cool stuff. Yes, the story wasn't that cool but it was immersive. And I actually liked the fraternity dialogue, perhaps, because I'm still juvinile myself.
To sum it up, games that implement the story in an interactive manner definitely get more positive spins than those that do not.
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