This is taken right from GS, thought I would share it here:

Got further in The Walking Dead and yeah the story is down right fantastic. I totally feel like I am taking part in the show. That said my initial thoughts stand, in terms of game design Walking Dead has stripped almost all elements of adventure games to the point where it is basically an interactive choose your own adventure book. Should we really applaud this direction? I understand adventure games of old had some of the most obscure solutions to puzzles but at least they made you think.

In terms of choices and the impact on the game I feel Mass Effect 3 does it better than Walking Dead. They are pretty similar but ME has done it across three gigantic games, the amount of choices and the way it impacts the cast and the storylines are far more wide spread than Walking Dead. If Walking Dead is being praised for the way your choices matter ME should be the one getting that praise. I understand there is the ending, yes yes yes I get it the ending had no real choice, but everything else in the game did. From what I heard Walking Dead pretty much gives you the same story no matter what you do to so it cant be that much different.

But many people didn't like Mass Effect 3 cause of a variety of reasons. Maybe they didn't like the action. Maybe they didn't like the multiplayer. Maybe they are angry that the RPG elements were simplified. I have heard someone trash the game cause they couldn't holster their weapon. All those reasons only exist cause ME allows the player to take part in all those elements. Games like Journey and Walking Dead DO NOT. And so the gamers get all angry at ME3 cause a few elements are not to their liking, how dare they make me play something I don't want. Oh wait, I remember ME3 having an option to basically remove all the game elements and simply make choices through the story. How many of you actually did that? Of course none of you did, why would you remove the whole point of playing the game... except that is exactly what Walking Dead is.

Then we come to a larger argument which is Walking Dead's story is far better than ME3. I am just using that as an example I really do not feel like discussing which is better, for my point it doesn't matter. My point is are we really boiling it all down to that. Is that what we are using as the ultimate judge as which game is better now, simply which one has a better story. What happened to all the other elements that make a game a game? Don't get me wrong I am not saying adventure games or whatever Journey is can never be equals to a ME, they can as long as they embrace the game aspect as well. This medium can do some incredible things when gameplay and story truly come together to make something we have never seen before. But we have not gotten there and now it seems like some are moving further away from that, with some making minimalist games with deeper stories or experiences. One at the expense of the other, and what bugs me the most is that so many in this industry are praising it.

To me the game media and some in this industry seem like children desperately looking for the approval of the other forms of entertainment. Any time there is a game that has any qualities that can match what the other forms of media do we showcase it like a proud peacock trying to get the approval. Look we can have a story that is worthy of television! Look we can have acting that can be worthy of praise! Look we have music that can win awards! Look we have something that can be called "art"!! This industry seems so desperate to be like all the other forms of entertainment they forget what makes this industry unique. Games can do everything all other forms of media can do but lets face it we will probably never do them as well as those specific forms of entertainment handle their specialty, and we don't have to. We can do something they cannot, create incredible interactive experiences that can include all those elements and put them into game worlds that are expertly designed. OUR ART, this industries major strength, the ability to create incredible gameplay experiences.

I am not trying to say Journey and Walking Dead should not be praised. They are excellent in what they do but I still see them as a categorical winner. Like best story, best graphics, best multiplayer experience if you so want. But best GAME, I fundementally don't agree with it and I think these two games are a step back for the industry not a step forward to what we should really be achieving. But maybe these are all baby steps, maybe these games had to come out and someone out there will get inspired and say what if I can combine the story and emotion of that but mix it with game elements as compelling as the greatest games ever made.

Posted by Dvader Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:43:41 (comments: 36)
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Fri, 04 Jan 2013 03:46:42
Dvader said:
Foolz said:
Dvader said:

I am still as confused as I was then. You can replace Metroid Prime with any number of games and it fits what you wrote there just fine.

If you're as confused as you are, yes. Otherwise, no. You couldn't even replace Metroid Prime with Metroid Prime 2...

Hmm perhaps not. You still seem to have really created your own version of MP. You do know the story is simply that Samus is a bounty hunter and her job is to stop the Space Pirates from unleashing metroids on the galaxy.

See, this is what I don't understand. I can see how the review could confuse you, especially if you haven't read Fahrenheit 451. It requires knowledge of both works to be fully appreciated, but even then I don't deny its deliberate obscurity. That's the point of it. It's pivotal to what it's saying about both works. But to come up with comments like that makes no sense. Have you not read my correction in this very thread to point out that when I originally said story, it was a mistake? Did you not read my comment about the story on the blog's comments? Of course you did, so why do you keep bringing up the "story" when it is not in any way relevant to my comments here, or the review itself and has been described as "shitty" by the person you seem to think likes the story.

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 04:42:55
Foolz said:

See, this is what I don't understand. I can see how the review could confuse you, especially if you haven't read Fahrenheit 451. It requires knowledge of both works to be fully appreciated, but even then I don't deny its deliberate obscurity. That's the point of it. It's pivotal to what it's saying about both works. But to come up with comments like that makes no sense. Have you not read my correction in this very thread to point out that when I originally said story, it was a mistake? Did you not read my comment about the story on the blog's comments? Of course you did, so why do you keep bringing up the "story" when it is not in any way relevant to my comments here, or the review itself and has been described as "shitty" by the person you seem to think likes the story.

Ok forget the story, let me rephrase what I was saying. Basically that I am pretty sure Retro had zero intention of making a game about anything you mentioned in your review, it was simply you using your imagination to create that comparison.

You really believe Metroid Prime was trying to be something more than just a Metroid game?

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 04:47:32

The only comment I'll make on the review and Metroid Prime in general in this context (as I'm not really a fan of explaining an explanation even if it is not a straight forward one) is that the very point is that Metroid Prime is nothing more than a Metroid game. That is in fact why I thought it would have been perfect with what you were saying, but considering that you don't agree, then obviously I must rescind my premature agreement with the blog as I misunderstood it, and now that I understand it better, I don't agree. I did however greatly enjoy reading it, and respect your view point.

That all sounds too sweet, so let's end on a negative note:

Metroid Prime 3 quite clearly did try to be more than just a Metroid game...why do you think I hated it so much? Ugh.

And before anyone incorrectly complains about me focusing on elements other than the gameplay, the gameplay was incomparable to Metroid Prime 1 and 2. It was still good, but so disappointing. Both of those are masterpieces, so don't release something that's merely good when the two things precede it are almost perfect.

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:19:11
Foolz said:

You really believe that I have stated anywhere that they were?

Foolz said:

":say what if I can combine the story and emotion of that but mix it with game elements as compelling as the greatest games ever made"

They've done that, and it's called Metroid Prime.

Well, if you replace story with storytelling.

So why are you praising the game for something that is not intended or isnt really there.

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:22:25
Dvader said:

So why are you praising the game for something that is not intended or isnt really there.

I'm not.

Maybe your confusion comes about because the part that I quoted included "of that" which I think was referring to The Walking Dead? Otherwise I really can't see how you can possibly think I've said anything that you've claimed I have.

I'm not saying I explained myself well in this thread, but you're saying I've said things that I didn't even imply. (Except through error as above. But if that's not the reason for your statements, then I just don't get it. :/)

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:25:45
Foolz said:

The only comment I'll make on the review and Metroid Prime in general in this context (as I'm not really a fan of explaining an explanation even if it is not a straight forward one) is that the very point is that Metroid Prime is nothing more than a Metroid game. That is in fact why I thought it would have been perfect with what you were saying, but considering that you don't agree, then obviously I must rescind my premature agreement with the blog as I misunderstood it, and now that I understand it better, I don't agree. I did however greatly enjoy reading it, and respect your view point.

That all sounds too sweet, so let's end on a negative note:

Metroid Prime 3 quite clearly did try to be more than just a Metroid game...why do you think I hated it so much? Ugh.

And before anyone incorrectly complains about me focusing on elements other than the gameplay, the gameplay was incomparable to Metroid Prime 1 and 2. It was still good, but so disappointing. Both of those are masterpieces, so don't release something that's merely good when the two things precede it are almost perfect.

Oh didn't see this. Ok I guess we dont agree on the story thing, your comment threw me off since Metroid Prime to me is about as pure of a game, completely ignoring story in favor of gameplay, as they come. I love it of course. Yes I do mean having a game with a story that is as good as lets use Walking Dead as an example now but with gameplay as pure as MP, where your actions in the game are effecting the story in almost every way.

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:27:41

I must remember to double check the chunks of text that I quote in the future. Nyaa

EDIT:

On the bright side it appears that we both managed to get Yoda online!

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:45:55
Foolz said:

I must remember to double check the chunks of text that I quote in the future. Nyaa

EDIT:

On the bright side it appears that we both managed to get Yoda online!

So what was the code we used? Post, quote, post, quote, quote, edit, quote, edit. Does that summon Yoda?

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:55:48
Dvader said:

So what was the code we used? Post, quote, post, quote, quote, edit, quote, edit. Does that summon Yoda?

I think we have to begin it with a misunderstanding or the magic doesn't work. He appears and that's when we figure out what happened. I think that's how it goes!

Sadly it only makes him appear and not post, but it's better than nothing!

 
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:47:53

I lost you guys many comments ago.

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