"It ain't exactly Shakespeare..."

[lbd_nytetrayn]

Cross-posted from Penny Arcade Forums because I am a LAZY bastard.

When it comes to stories in games, how often does it seem like a line such as that comes up? It's a definite given for something like Mario, even on his best day, no matter how otherwise enjoyable the game is.

But what about other games? Games known more for characterization and story? Your Halos, your Final Fantasies, your... er, Mortal Kombats?

Anyway. The wife is writing a piece regarding why video game stories are typically cheesey. In a good way, mind, that fits the medium, though "the average RPG plot would never make it past an editor's slush pile."

Not that we can't love them. I've got a friend who rags on the story to Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, and along with another, talk about how cliche' all the characters are.

I never even noticed, as I had a blast running around and beating the crap out of things many times over. In fact, the story was part of what drew me to this particular title, after a CV hiatus of many years.

But for some reason, that doesn't make them any less appealing. I love big stupid video game plots. And so do you. Share your reasons why. Which ones are your favourites? Are there any games you think are deserving of being held in the same regard as published novels?

In that vein, has anyone read any of the novelisations of games like Halo? How do the writing and plot hold up? I'll probably be picking up a copy to skim through.

The appeal of game plots. DISCUSS.

You can comment here, or if so inclined, go to her LJ and do it there.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

Comments

[gelgameth.livejournal.com]

Honestly, my frustration with the plot and characterization of PoR has a LOT to do with the fact that they kept throwing cut scenes at me where I had to endure not just dumb, but bad dialog. >_> If I ever hear a character giving the ultimate incarnation of evil a peppy compliment on their teamwork again...


..*Ahem* but most of my issues with the story are actually built more into level design, enemy placement, and gameflow, which I think ARE elements to the story in games >_>;

[flabio.livejournal.com]

There are four Halo novels. The three that Eric Nylund wrote are backstory, not directly novelisations of the games themselves. They're pretty good, as throwaway pulp sci-fi goes. The one that's actually a novelisation of Halo 1 though is pretty lame.

I do like game plots. But I don't really like bad ones. It colours a lot of my overal opinion of certain games. For example:

Fantastic plots:
Xenogears
Final Fantasy 7 and 12

Lousy plots:
Final Fantasy 8
Chrono Cross