Quote:
Originally Posted by WanderingKnight
My opinion as an ex-JRPG fag is that if you want storyline go read a damn book (or watch some anime if you want the same style of stories, only way better 99% of the time).
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This argument irritates me every single time I see it. A book isn't the same as a movie. A movie isn't the same as a book. Both of these aren't the same as a game. The experience is very different.
At least for me, my emotional involvement is the highest when I'm reading or playing something. It's NOT the same as reading or watching a story. If people don't like games with heavy story telling they should just avoid the ones advertising with their hour long cutscenes xD Just like I tend to avoid games with no or a dull story (when the genra calls for it).There's something that is called freedom of choice we all hold possession of
I do agree that there are games where a story is just teeth shattering. Mario, Zelda, Racers, Beat 'em ups ... they don't need a story. I hate it when I just wanna play but I get jumped at with dialogue and non sensical cutscenes. Let me get to the action!!
Beat em ups especially .. most of them
try to have some story, but I really couldn't care less. I don't need a reason to beat up my opponent. I decided to do that when I inserted the disc.
Well to be fair, since there also people who enjoy story (or better; the background of their characters) in beat em ups .. the story telling in these games is very limited, but I would never demand more story telling in this genre. Please no xD
Shooter (ego or third person) are a grey zone imo. They don't need a story. Specially when they have amazing action. That's what it's about in their genre: the action. But; a plot adds a lot for me in the game experience. Of course it has to be balanced, because I don't want to be stroke to death by cutscenes, when I should be out shooting things.
Since I just finished it let me drag out Uncharted (1 + 2). The game as it is, was already immensely fun for me. Man vs Helicopter .. Helicopter vs Tank .. Tank vs Man .. you know these over the top fights where you just go WOA
.
But the characters in their interaction during cutscenes AND the game itself added a lot to the gaming experience. Plus, it made finishing much more rewarding, because it made the epilogue much more amusing.The characters is what makes me remember Uncharted over other similar games. And I actually wanna play it more then once, what is rare for a game like that.
So ... (J)RPGs are my favorite genre. I'm the type who can't put up with an endless rpg unless I care at least a little for the characters. FF XII was amazingly made, but I still haven't finished it .. it was no fun for me. My emotional involvement was zero, so I had no patience for the vast eyploring the game had to offer.
Also I really like humour in games, and that
often comes with story telling. Because the characters talk there. Or things like Wario Ware and Raving Rabbids that are funny by nature and need no words
For me the importance of a plot varies greatly with the genre and the game itself. Key point is 'for me'. Different tastes, different opinions. I have no problem with games that have zero story and are gameplay only. Fine in action, a killer for me in RPGs. I choose what I play. So I let others play what they want, too. Have fun with it, but please don't call everyone else an idiot for not having the same preference
.
Games have a lot of potential in a lot of different ways. Why 'forbid' story telling or make it a must? Gameplay and story don't exclude one another. I think there's enough space for plot lovers and haters.