Storytelling in games

[GetFresh]

I feel that the story keeps you hooked onto the game. If it's a great plot, I usually play it out all the way through until I finish the game. The better the story the better the game.

 

[James]

Well i think its pretty obvious that i think the Mass Effect Trilogy has the best writing ive seen in a game. Every game is beautifully written and a complete experience. It doesnt even feel like a game, it feels like youre actually there making all the choices in talking and other things. Some people would say that the ending of Mass Effect 3 is just ridiculous and thats probably what people would use to tell me that theyre not that well written, but if you believe the indoctrination theory like i do then there isnt much wrong with the game other than the fact that they should release a new one.

 

[calebmelvern]

I really enjoyed the storyline of the Mass Effect series. The storytelling was just so great. It has proven that games aren't just about hacking and slashing but they could also be a great avenue to tell fascinating stories. Another game with great storytelling that popped in my head is Heavy Rain.

 

[Beverly]

I'd admit no matter how good the story telling if the graphic is crappy,I won't play the game. I don't care much about the story telling but more of the graphic and other aspect of the game. A lot of the times I just want to get in the action and if I could skip those words or the voice, I'd skip them and go to do my quest. That being said,If I like the graphic and impress with every aspect of the game ,I'd then pay more attention to the story line. I like Assasin's Creed story line.

 

[andy103]

I have actually been really impressed with games lately because of all the improved graphics and new capabilities we can put into games. It makes the game much more in depth and that much more exciting to play through a good story. It seems like it has raised my expectations in video games, however, and so when a story in a video game is kind of lacking, it almost takes away from the game now.

 

[DrRipley]

I always skip the cutscenes whenever I can. I don't really care too much about the story, and I find it tedious to watch whole movies in between of gameplay while holding a controller waiting for my turn to come up again. I believe it can be done well, and can really contribute to the gameplay, but I think most developers fail to realize how to do it well enough to integrate it into the gameplay so you'd really feel the impact of what you've just watched as you play your character. Often, it just feels like they are throwing scenes and plot lines just because it is the current norm, and not really used well at all, and in cases like these I'd prefer if they just made the gameplay longer and better instead of focusing on cut scenes.

 

[The Unlosing Ranger]

I will say, I personally love the way the Souls games (Demon's Souls and Dark Souls) do story. No needless exposition, no boring speeches, not beating you over the head with explanations for every single thing, no ridiculous amount of cutscenes... you have to read the item's descriptions for textual information and then analyze the environments for visual information which might reveal the past of the area and such. It's quite amazing and because it leaves enough to interpretation, the online community is really fun to discuss the lore with. Not only is it an interesting lore and story, it's also an interesting way to show it.

 

[Ciel]

What are your thoughts on storytelling and what's the best writing in a game you've played?

I will answer your question, kind of, with what I think is a better question. Please excuse its haphazardness, I am typing quick between classes.

EDIT: Looking at this now, take note that the assumptions made are for discussion purposes.

There is little room to doubt that storytelling in video games is evolving. However a game's narrative can still be viewed as a secondary component when compared to a game's gameplay. (You can make the argument that the two are connected, but ignore that for the sake of discussion). Very rarely do I hear, "Oh I play video games for the stories." Why? Because for that, there is literature, film, theater.

Simply put, video-games no matter how far they have come are not the go-to destination for storytelling because if they were, people who do not play video games would take what they have to offer seriously.

You do not hear, "I don't play video games, but I hear this has a really good story. I love good stories; I will play it." Non-readers read books and non-filmgoers see films. (Does it have to do with the price? The time commitment?)

What are some games that, as gamers, you would recommend to non-gamers based solely on narrative/storytelling alone? Do you think video-game storytelling will eventually be viewed as a viable outlet for non-gamers—when, how?

 

[MedeaWakoski]

I will say, I personally love the way the Souls games (Demon's Souls and Dark Souls) do story. No needless exposition, no boring speeches, not beating you over the head with explanations for every single thing, no ridiculous amount of cutscenes... you have to read the item's descriptions for textual information and then analyze the environments for visual information which might reveal the past of the area and such. It's quite amazing and because it leaves enough to interpretation, the online community is really fun to discuss the lore with. Not only is it an interesting lore and story, it's also an interesting way to show it.

This is a great point.

If there is a game where the cutscenes are so bad I have to skip them, I stop playing. The story is very important to me, and I won't settle for less than a good one.

 

[toepick83]

I know I'm playing a good game when I get absorbed into the story, and keep playing just to find out what happens next! I try my hardest to play through games without using any walk-through help, but sometimes if I get stuck for too long I'll do a quick look-up just to get me past the rough spot, so I can keep progressing through the story. I can't stand it when I don't know what happens next.

Storytelling in games these days is amazing! Thinking back to the good old days of Mario, even that had a little bit of story. It's not nearly as in-depth as things are today, but it started somewhere. I think it's just our natural tendency, to know the "why" behind everything. It's so much more fascinating and fun to know the back story of everything.