Do games need more creative stories?

From games with interesting mind **** plot twists like Braid, KOTOR, Shadow Of The Colossus to surprising revelations of games like Bioshock or Final Fantasy IV, I can't help but wonder why recent games in general have been lacking in the story department.

Of course there have been a few standout stories of recent like The Last Of Us and Bioshock Infinite's twilight zone ending, but it seems like most games now lack a memorable story or anything that makes tugs at your emotions by the time the final credits roll.

Coming from someone who would choose gameplay over story, I think devs should also put greater focus into making players give a damn about the characters, what's going on and consequences of your actions.

Not saying every game needs to be a 'holy shit' plot twist like Fight Club or Momento, or finding out you're really playing as the antagonist, but it would be nice to see some more creative and thoughtful writing to compliment the 1080 pixels.

No, they need more creative gameplay.

You are a super-soldier tasked with saving the president/nation/world/galaxy. Seriously, there's only a handful of stories that get repeated in video games. There are a rare few standouts (I'll throw Walking Dead in there) but by and large it's the same old shit, different coat of paint.

Totally agree.

We need that too , but indie games are filling that void ....i'm more worried about story rather than gameplay.

I'm a sucker for a good story (all my favourite games have good engaging stories), so I completely agree.

Not "Stories"... They need more creative Narratives.

@br0kenrabbit

The problem is much bigger than that.....

if we get better stories then All thats gonna happen is:

You are an old man tasked with Building a relationship with a lil girl..... And cue 3rd Person Shooter.....

Its not enough to have a good story and good gameplay..... They should also make sense when put together, nobody outside this medium is gonna take it seriously if we weave Citizen Kane level of cutscenes into yet another cookie cutter cinematic shooter.

Greater variety of stories would be nice, yeah. An outlandish game like Oddworld or a dark comedy like Conker would be a nice change of pace, imo

I'm all for a creative story. As long as the gameplay matches its tone and theme.

Well I certainly wouldn't complain about having more creative stories but I really don't mind most game stories out there currently.

Yeah, they can be more creative in general. Stories are pretty much skipped over the last gen, because of the multiplayer. I want there to be more focus on the singleplayer in games

@mastermetal777

We should also stop saying "Gameplay".

Interactive Mechanics or Interactions seems more appropriate for the evolution of this medium.

@Lulu_Lulu: the definition of gameplay still applies cuz it's vague enough to warrant its usage here. And video games are easier to say than interactive experience. Rolls off the tongue better. Just change the definition to make it easier.

@mastermetal777

Vague to you perhaps.

@HipHopBeats: I agree with you but what about some games that are filled with interesting mechanics that make it fun to just **** around, or sandbox games with expansive worlds to explore and fun multiplayer, like gta 5?

@jcoop_345: those can still exist alongside the more creative suite of things.

@mastermetal777: that is true but what about games that use comedy instead of focusing on any real plot like deapool the game?

@jcoop_345

Well the comedy was not an aspect of the gameplay.... It was an aspect of the story.

@jcoop_345: random things that happen in GTA and Saints Row are what you're looking for. That or Goat Simulator

@jcoop_345: That can work too. With games like Skyrim, you already know the main story line is going to be crap so you venture off into the side quests and create your own story.

No, it's horses for courses. Some games need a story and some don't, just like movies.

As much a I think a dramatic change in story would promote a change in gameplay to support it I highly doubt it will happen. So I'll settle for an RPG story that doesn't boil down to "save the day".