Raj Agrawal

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Can Video Game Storytelling Ever Match A Good Movie?

January 19, 2012 by Raj Agrawal Leave a Comment

Games are not often considered the best medium to tell a good story. Whenever you, irrespective of whether you’re a gamer or not, think of a good story, it usually stems from a favorite book or movie. It is often the case that when we play games, we hardly pay attention to the world, the history of the game world, and how you fit in into all of it. Stories stem from the mind’s ability to create a situation where there is a prologue, an epilogue, a start, an end, and everything in between. When you think of a game, you think about graphics, sound, action, interaction and then the story, which sadly for the majority of games out there is an afterthought.

A good story doesn’t necessarily ensure a good game, but it does serve as a time well spent when other mechanics may fail. Not many games have been able to mix story and gameplay into a good gaming experience, but those that have, have become masterpieces. And that is what separates great games from masterpieces most of the time – the story. Below is a list of games I have played which have blended a good gaming experience with a good story. Most of these games will be known to the majority, for obvious reasons.


Bioshock

bioshock
Bioshock

This is the first name that came to my mind when i thought of writing this article. Bioshock is one of the few games which has its entire game mechanics built around the story. The big daddies and their relationships with the little sisters, the underwater dystopia, the civil war over the fight of adam, all talk of a fantastic idea gone tragically wrong. And this is what brings out feelings of sadness as you explore the world, feelings which are seldom experienced while playing games.

Metal Gear Solid

metalgear-solid
Metalgear Solid

Okay, anyone who has ever owned a Playstation console will agree with this one. The metal gear series is one of the few series of games which has blended fantasy and tactical action with a gritty and gripping story, and blended them so well. A testimony to the greatness of this series are the cut-scenes, some of which can last for an hour. But you don’t see many people complaining about them, do you?

Half life

half life
Half Life

Out of all the game characters I love, the one I pity the most has to be Gordon Freeman. The guy almost brought the world to an end, and although it was more of an accident, he now has to shoulder the responsibility to free it of the combine. And what primary weapon does he get to meet this task? – a crowbar! And the poor bloke doesn’t ever complain about it. It’s not a very original story; alien invasion stories stopped being original a long time back. But its told very well; so well in fact that you will start empathizing with the characters and feel bad about them as the story progresses.

Portal

portal
Portal

Valve is addicted to making characters that find themselves in hopeless situations but don’t ever utter a word to show their discontent, and portal is another shining example of this. Portal has one of the most unique stories ever told in any medium of entertainment. What starts as a puzzle game will probably end up shocking you and leaving you disturbed. The second game loses its shock factor, but makes up for it for an even better story, which provides us with a better insight of the world of Aperture Science. For all the unique puzzle mechanics that this game boasts of, it’s the story that has made it the masterpiece that it is.


These are just a few examples of video games which can tell a good story. Games such as the Zelda series, GTA series, heavy rain, grim fandango, planetscape: torment, Baldurs gate, all have amazing stories which up the immersion factor by several notches. Which brings us back to the all important question – Can video game story telling match its movie counterpart? I would say not yet. Movies have had that 100-150 years head-start in which they have evolved in the way stories are told and characters are portrayed. Movies like Schindlers list, the Shawshank Redemption, the godfather all exemplify great stories with great acting, something which games haven’t achieved yet.

Videogames have characters, yes, but none of them are as fleshed out as characters in movies. We haven’t seen a videogame counterpart of heath ledger’s joker or hannibal lecter in a video game; such characters make the story come to life, and videogames just haven’t reached there yet. But they’re getting there, that’s for sure. With games like L.A. Noire and Mass Effect, which have changed the way people have conversations in video games, we’re getting to the point where conversations and cut-scenes will have as much of an effect on the player as blowing up the town of Megaton in Fallout 3 has. Stories are an important part of video games, but only when stories and characters occupy a more pivotal role in video game design, only then can we make a fair comparison. And with games like Uncharted doing exactly so, I don’t think that time is far off.

Filed Under: Gameology Tagged With: Fallout, half life, mass effect, metal gear solid, portal, uncharted, zelda

Roundup: The Best Games Of This Generation

December 23, 2011 by Raj Agrawal Leave a Comment

Every generation has its share of great games which direct and define the future of gaming. There was a time when this role was fulfilled with games like Half life, Halo, God of War, and Metal Gear Solid. That some of these games created a revolution is not the major factor of their greatness. The main reason why many of these games are considered as classics is because they created an experience which maintained its greatness throughout their playtime, and still left players wanting for more of the same.

Thankfully, this generation has also had its share of such games. So, without further ado, lets look at the best games to come out this generation for PC and Consoles.

Playstation 3

Demons Souls/Dark Souls

The souls series

The people at FROM software are masochists, but in a good way. To make not one but two games that are such a pain to play, but at the same time are so enjoyable; it’s a rare combination and somehow they have been able to pull it off. These games really do not care about how or where you go. They just drop you into their world. From there you’re on your own.

Uncharted 2 : Among thieves

uncharted 2
Uncharted 2

Drakes fortune and Drakes deception are both really really good games, but it’s the second one in the series that takes the cake. Combining heart-throbbing action with good set pieces and good story telling, this is a game which will never outstay it’s welcome and will always leave you wanting more. Couple with that some of the best visuals ever made, and you have quality that rivals the best of Hollywood action movies. Michael Bay, now here is one game which you can learn something from.

God of War 3

god of war 3
God of way 3

Concluding a series with such a huge scope isn’t an easy thing. But SCE Santa Monica managed to pull it off. Although it’s not considered to be as good as it’s predecessors, still as a game it’s an amazing experience and one that should not be missed. Kratos, you will be sorely missed.

Metal Gear Solid 4

metal gear solid
Metal gear solid

This isn’t just a game. It’s a game/movie, and this is what many people don’t realize. The most harsh criticisms levelled at this game stem from the “redundant” cut-scenes that this game has. But, longstanding fans will know that they’re as much a part of the game as the gameplay itself, and frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Killzone 2

killzone 2
Kill Zone

This game turned a lot of heads when it came out, and turned out to be an amazing first person shooter. The sense of scale on display over here is hardly matched by other games in the genre. Plus the graphics and the awesome multiplayer only added to the experience.

Batman: Arkham City

Batman

Simply put, the best superhero game ever made!

XBOX 360

Gears of War 1, 2 & 3

gears of war 3
Gears of War

The Gears of War series has always been a favorite on the 360 and for good reason. Combining solid third person mechanics, good graphics, and a great story, it’s no wonder that the series has been received so well by critics and gamers alike.

Forza series

forza motorsport
Forza Series

The PS3 might have Gran Turismo, but that does not mean the 360 does not at least attempt to answer its challenge. The Forza series is the premier racing series on the 360, and unlike the NFS series, it manages to get better with every iteration.

Mass Effect 1/2

mass-effect
Mass effect

Although the game is also there on PC, it’s the 360 version that has made this game so popular. With interaction sequences that manage to wow people even today, solid combat, and a huge world, it is one of the best action RPG’s ever created.

Red Dead Redemption

Red-Dead-Redemption
Red Dead Redemption

Another exception as this game is on the PS3 as well. But if any game deserves to be in a best of list, it’s this one. Never have Western games been this good; Rockstar delivered with the one of the best stories in gaming. Also John Marston is one amazing character. Missing out on this game is blasphemy.

PC

The Elders Scroll : Skyrim

skyrim elders scrolls
The elders scrolls

Okay, another exception. But anyone who’s played an Elders Scroll game on the PC will agree that the experience on PC is vastly superior to the console experience, and for one single reason – Mods. Mods have made Oblivion a totally different game than what it was when it released, and the same seems to be the case with Skyrim. The game itself needs no commendations; it’s an experience unlike any other.

Civilization 5

Civilisation 5

No PC best of list will ever be complete without a mention of the Civilization series. Strategy has always been an ace in the hole for the PC, and no game does it better in that department than a Civilization game.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

witcher 2
The Witcher 2

This is the game that should have won the award for best graphics. But it wasn’t even nominated for the VGA awards. But that’s not important. What’s important is that it’s one of the best rpgs out there and is not an experience that should be missed.

 Shogun 2 : Total War

total war
Shogun: Total War

Another strategy game that is hugely popular on the PC. Rome : Total War still stands tall as the best strategy game ever, but Shogun 2 gives it stiff competition.

Bioshock

Bioshock

Story is an important aspect of gaming, and no game proves this more than Bioshock. The solid combat and spooky atmosphere only add to the sense of amazement and complement the story perfectly. And this is the one game where you can safely use the term big daddy without referring to a sexual innuendo.

Starcraft 2 : Wings of Liberty

starcraft 2
Starcraft 3

Anything I can say has also been said too many times before. All I can say is if ever there is a strategy game that can be as popular as COD or Halo, it’s Starcraft.

Filed Under: Gameology Tagged With: dark souls, demon souls, god of war, mass effect, metal gear solid, skyrim, uncharted