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What games would you quote as counter-examples of this? I can think of a few, among which "Life is strange", and "Bioshock Infinite". Probably more, but it's ha

What games would you quote as counter-examples of this? I can think of a few, among which "Life is strange", and "Bioshock Infinite". Probably more, but it's hard to recall at 1am (I've heard good things about spec ops: the line). That said, story is but one element of a video game. Most are praised for their gameplay, but some are for their aesthetics (Hollow knight, bastion), music (transistor), or others criteria. Thus, a game that excels at none can sometimes come on the top... But so can other games that all but stopped trying scoring on some aspects (dwarf fortress, or doom).

anthk 6y ago
Most graphical adventures are on par. Like The Dig, Broken Sword, The Longest Journey...
retsibsi 6y ago
I think (the original) Deus Ex is an interesting example here, because it doesn't fit easily into any box. Normally I agree with the GP, and prefer the joyously silly/unashamedly dumb approach over the 99.9% of more 'serious' games that are tediously mediocre at best. And on paper Deus Ex should have been pretty annoying: it is a slightly janky mix of lowbrow conspiracy fiction and quasi-highbrow philosophising. But somehow -- obviously partly because of the still-fresh-20-years later gameplay, but also because of something I can't quite pin down in the synergy between gameplay and story -- it works amazingly well. It really nails the feeling of existing in and shaping an exciting world, and I think every component is crucial, from the (blocky) environments to the (ludicrous) characters to the (somewhat awkward) mechanics, and of course the 'every conspiracy theory is true' plot. Obviously it has a sense of humour too, but I don't think it would have worked if it were constantly taking the piss out of itself.
nickflood 6y ago
Naughty Dog's stuff (Last of Us and Uncharted) is above the rest. Quanti Dream's Detroit: Become Human borders on interactive branching novel and is also good (as, most likely, their other two previous games Beyond: Two Souls and Heavy Rain, you van get all 3 on PC now btw). I also like the Nier: Automata a lot, I'd say the best thing about this game is story design.
ooosssososos 6y ago
A perfect counter example is nier: automata
throaway99912 6y ago
I made an account just to post this: SOMA, SOMA, SOMA. The best story I have ever seen in any videogame, ever.

anthk 6y ago

Most graphical adventures are on par. Like The Dig, Broken Sword, The Longest Journey...

retsibsi 6y ago

I think (the original) Deus Ex is an interesting example here, because it doesn't fit easily into any box. Normally I agree with the GP, and prefer the joyously silly/unashamedly dumb approach over the 99.9% of more 'serious' games that are tediously mediocre at best. And on paper Deus Ex should have been pretty annoying: it is a slightly janky mix of lowbrow conspiracy fiction and quasi-highbrow philosophising. But somehow -- obviously partly because of the still-fresh-20-years later gameplay, but also because of something I can't quite pin down in the synergy between gameplay and story -- it works amazingly well. It really nails the feeling of existing in and shaping an exciting world, and I think every component is crucial, from the (blocky) environments to the (ludicrous) characters to the (somewhat awkward) mechanics, and of course the 'every conspiracy theory is true' plot. Obviously it has a sense of humour too, but I don't think it would have worked if it were constantly taking the piss out of itself.

nickflood 6y ago

Naughty Dog's stuff (Last of Us and Uncharted) is above the rest. Quanti Dream's Detroit: Become Human borders on interactive branching novel and is also good (as, most likely, their other two previous games Beyond: Two Souls and Heavy Rain, you van get all 3 on PC now btw). I also like the Nier: Automata a lot, I'd say the best thing about this game is story design.

ooosssososos 6y ago

A perfect counter example is nier: automata

throaway99912 6y ago

I made an account just to post this: SOMA, SOMA, SOMA. The best story I have ever seen in any videogame, ever.