Problems with Modern Game Stories: Part I

Problems with Modern Game Stories is a three part series arguing that today’s video game narratives are ineffective. Note: Only single-player, AAA first/third person games apply to this argument. The article contains SPOILERS for Red Dead Redemption.  

Critiquing the Narrative of Halo 4

When videogames mimic film, it's only fair that they be held to the same standards as the medium they've taken inspiration from. Plot structure, exposition, coherency, and overall narrative quality are hardly exclusive to film, but I feel videogames aren't held to similar standards in these areas when they should be. For example, how critics barely touched upon Darksiders' cringe-inducing, confusing, and cluttered story is deflating. At many points throughout the game, Darksiders made me stop and critically think why I enjoy playing games. Its narrative was so juvenile and so poorly executed that I questioned whether I was too old to be playing videogames at all. In a time where narratives are becoming increasingly important to the videogame experience, I think it's imperative that reviewers be more critical, and place a greater value on, narrative execution.  

Modern Gaming: Is It Evolving?

It's a pretty common question among gamers and industry experts alike; when will this medium evolve into a respectable past time? It's an important question, since stereotypes and negative stigmas still run rampant throughout mainstream culture. I personally believe that yes, gaming will one day be a respected medium. However, exactly when it will happen is a different question entirely.

Will it be 5, 10, or 50 years until gaming completely assimilates into modern culture? I guess it depends on how fast this medium is evolving. However, this implies that the industry is progressing in the first place. And sadly, I couldn't find convincing evidence that this medium is on a positive trajectory. Sure, there are promising signs here and there, but nothing overwhelming to suggest its evolving for the better. So naturally, I've come to the conclusion that no, the industry isn't evolving. In fact, I'd like to make the case that it's actually going in the other direction. Here are 7 reasons the gaming industry, specifically the hardcore, won't be respected anytime soon.

Storytelling: Why Games Aren't Inferior to Film

Compared to movies, games are absolute crap at telling stories. They are horrid, absolutely horrid. Sometimes, when  in the middle of an intense firefight, completely oblivious to the jarhead chatter of my fellow marines, I ponder as to why games seem to be incapable of telling tales a notch above B-list action movies. Now, some games aren't like this (and I'll get to those rare cases in a second), but most are and it's becoming a little embarrassing. Through narrative, film can create incredible emotional experiences like The Hurt Locker, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Cast Away. Why are games completely incapable of even touching stories of this level? Never, in the history of playing video games have I experienced a game that has even touched on what film achieves countless times every year.

Video games and Art

Before you let out that sigh, know that this isn't one of those overly long essays on why games are definitely, totally art. It may be long, but don't expect to see the words Braid, BioShock, and Shadow of the Colossus being constantly referenced in every paragraph. Rather than trying to argue that videogames are art, I found analysing the question "are videogames art?" provided more solid, satisfying answers. This article attempts to accomplish three goals: explore the idea of art, examine what this question is really asking, and to determine a solution to the question. This debate has made little progress lately so I hope this new angle will breathe new life into this discussion.

Where's The Graphic Novel of Video Games?

I hate the term "videogames." Its banner spans too far and its definition too narrow. To be a little elitist for a second, I dislike how works like Red Dead Redemption share the same label as social games like Angry Birds. When I say, "I play video games," it could mean literally dozens of different activities. It could mean I play Wii Fit, FarmVille, or Shadow of the Colossus. This term has such a massive umbrella, encompassing such a wide variety of interactive activities, that anything electronically interactive is considered a video game. It's a shame, because as long as titles like Mass Effect, L.A. Noire, and LIMBO continue to be referred to as games, this art form will continue to be less credible in the eyes of the mainstream. The term "videogames" is too broad for such a diverse range of activates, yet it does not effectively define all areas of the medium.

Why Halo: Reach's Campaign Was Disappointing -Part IV

Disclaimer: This is the conclusion of a four part series on why Halo: Reach's campaign was disappointing.

Part 1    Part 2    Part 3

Why Halo: Reach's Campaign Was Disappointing -Part III

 

Disclaimer: This is part three of a four part series on why Halo: Reach's campaign was disappointing. Click here for part two.

Why Halo: Reach's Campaign Was Disappointing -Part II

Disclaimer: This is part two of a four part series on why Halo: Reach's campaign was disappointing. Click here for part one.

Why Halo: Reach's Campaign Was Disappointing -Part I

Disclaimer: This is part one of a four part series on why Halo: Reach's campaign was disappointing. This is not a game review.

Halo Reach's campaign was incredibly disappointing. In fact, I was so let down, I felt obligated to write this article. I have a feeling that the Halo franchise, -among many other highly acclaimed franchises- tend to score relatively higher with game reviewers than unknown IPs. So, it frustrates a great deal that Halo: Reach received a metacritic score of 91/100; a score that it did not deserve in the slightest. I have suspicions that this game was treated too softly and was not taken seriously when reviewed; there are just too many problems with this game to think otherwise. Why should Bungie be rewarded when they made such a lacklustre story/campaign? A studio needs criticism to grow and Bungie hardly received any from major media sources. If criticism isn't heard or taken seriously, Bungie's next game will have the same problems Reach has. Hopefully Bungie is still early in development for their next game to consider this criticism.