Plots and Videogames

[DeusExMachina]

I recently read a GameSpot feature where they talked about whether it was important for games to have good characters, plots, settings, etc. I, for one, only like games with good plots. MP games are different because...they don't need a plot. Counter-Strike comes to mind. My favorite games...are games with good plots, unsurprisingly.

Deus Ex series
Max Payne series
Metal Gear Solid series
Grand Theft Auto series *I think they're well put together crime/dramas with a good dose of comedy*
The Getaway series
Half Life series
Halo series
Final Fantasy series
Xenosaga series

I could go on for awhile, but I'll stop for now. And, unsurprisingly, they've made sequels for the games and have more planned on the way. I was wondering what your stance was on stories and videogames. Now, I'm not talking about racing games and such, I mean action/adventure, horror, and the like. Do you think these kind of videogames need good plots to be good games?

 

[jimbo118]

like you said cs doesnt need a plot as its not setup for 1 but theres lotsa games i like that have weak or uninteresting stories,splinter cell for example,i doubt many peeps buy it coz it spins a ripping yarn,prince of persia,that games story was quite good but it never particurly interested me,

metal gear is different as that game has a high storyline watermark with the first mgs,thats why there were so many threads about mgs2 and its supposedly weak plot,the story is quite integral to that series.

hitman comes to mind too,take hitman 2,not a great story again but i enjoyed as it has good gameplay etc,just my(rather tired athe moment *yawns*)2 cents

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

lol, i voted no.


They don't need good plots.

Plot driven games could do with them. But there are plently of games that can do without.

 

[jimbo118]

lol, i voted no.


They don't need good plots.

Plot driven games could do with them. But there are plently of games that can do without.

lol sniper kitten,u a member at red orchestra?

 

[thehunter1320]

mgs... best times of my life

 

[MuToiD_MaN]

Best plot evar:

"The President was kidnapped by ninjas. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue the President?"

 

[Stigmata]

Depends what sort of game it is.

Half-Life 2, Starcraft, and other games had great plots that really added to the experience. Other games, like Counter-S and Super Monkey Ball, don't require any plot beyond basic development of the world, and sometimes a heavy plot could detract from the experience.

 

[Sulkdodds]

God, that'd be weird...

Super Monkey Ball: You have been trapped inside a ball by evil animal testing dudes. The game makes a stunning political comment on the morality of animal testing and forces you to really think about the way monkeys eat bananas....what?

But on a serious note, the best experiences I've had in games are always when a really amazing story has formed emergently around me doing something. Like the war stories you end up with in Operation Flashpoint. And good stories enhances the credibility of our entire media. So I think that yes, good stories are a brilliant thing, but sometimes you end up making your own stories.

Perhaps we need...non linear stories...

 

[Pressure]

I voted yes but my answer is both yes and no. There are certain games the need a good plot inorder to enjoy it to it's fullest potential. While others are just fun random games that you play and have no story what so ever.

 

[KagePrototype]

No. Evidence? Metal Slug. Bollocks story, brilliant game.

 

[Asknoone]

Personally, i prefer a good plot -- helps me enjoy the game a whole lot more.

 

[Danimal]

Singleplayer games should be more focused on the plot than multi-player

 

[Jintor]

I think you need a *reasonable* plot. The reason, for example, I played HL2 was because it was a freaking action game, i wanted to see what happened to gordon, and it was a lot of fun just playing throough the story, doing things *my* way. Although i like watercooler games, that give you multiple paths to doing themes - GTA being of that like.
But i play Final Fantasy for the stories.

 

[dart321]

I'd rather play a game with great gameplay and no plot at all than play a game with great gameplay and a the-ninjas-are-at-war-with-the-space-vampires plot. Too horrible to endure, IMO.

 

[Sulkdodds]

the-ninjas-are-at-war-with-the-space-vampires plot.

Although actually...that might make a pretty damn good game.

 

[ríomhaire]

They are not needed but certainly add to them.

 

[dart321]

Although actually...that might make a pretty damn good game.

I knew someone would say that. I just knew it.

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

lol sniper kitten,u a member at red orchestra?

nah mate, i think quite a few people have this as an avatar.

 

[Hazar]

games definetly need plots

 

[Kangy]

Even CS has a plot...

Don't you ever read the map description?

 

[Hazar]

what map description?