Best Storytelling in Games

I don't care what your favorite story is. What story did you think was told the best.

I'm going with Metroid Prime.

FFX

FFX

Chris_Williams

FFX

Chris_Williams

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"]

FFX

AcidSoldner

[QUOTE="AcidSoldner"][QUOTE="Chris_Williams"]

FFX

Chris_Williams

it's... a pretty bad story imo, with some very moronic characters, stupid plot twists and huge plot holes

I agree, it's definitely Metroid Prime in my books. It's the ideal way a story should be told in a video game IMO

[QUOTE="AcidSoldner"][QUOTE="Chris_Williams"]

FFX

Chris_Williams

I don't think you quite understand the concept behind the word "story-telling". Is not how good the story was but how it was told. FFX worked with the same old archaic game design that most games still use of going from point A to B and then a cut-scene.

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"][QUOTE="AcidSoldner"] :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: You're f*cking joking right?rilpas

it's... a pretty bad story imo, with some very moronic characters, stupid plot twists and huge plot holes

I like stories mainly with adventure games. Alan Wake fits the bill well enough. I'm sure Heavy Rain does too.

Best storytelling or best story? I ask because there is a huge difference.

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"][QUOTE="AcidSoldner"] :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: You're f*cking joking right?Gue1

I don't think you quite understand the concept behind the word "story-telling". Is not how good the story was but how it was told. FFX worked with the same old archaic game design that most games still use of going from point A to B and then a cut-scene.

'Red Dead Redemption' easily.

Only rivaled by 'Bioshock' with its cute way of doing storytelling through audio diaries.

Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain (series)

It's the ideal way a story should be told in a video game IMO

Pikminmaniac

'Red Dead Redemption' easily.

Only rivaled by 'Bioshock' with its cute way of doing storytelling through audio diaries.

TecmoGirl

I have yet to play Bioshock, but yeah I like the whole atmosphere, and telling its story through audio diaries seems to add to that.

I don't really know much about Red Dead Redemption though, I actually haven't played a lot of these games.

'Red Dead Redemption' easily.

TecmoGirl

No way. Most of the characters were lame caricatures and the overall pacing was terrible. It did have an incredible ending though. It's surprising too, since I consider Grand Theft Auto IV to have some of the best storytelling in games (despite some inconsistencies in tone).

Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain (series)

WAJ

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"][QUOTE="AcidSoldner"] :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: You're f*cking joking right?rilpas

it's... a pretty bad story imo, with some very moronic characters, stupid plot twists and huge plot holes

come man, I didn't like FFX but you have to give it credit for what it did at its time. The game was one of the first to include full voice overs and tried to convey emotion through the face of the characters without the need of CGI. For its time the game set standards that very few could surpass when it came to story-telling. It's just that by today's standards they are borderline archaic.

[QUOTE="Pikminmaniac"]

It's the ideal way a story should be told in a video game IMO

ohgeez

That being said, I think its an amazing game and the story-telling definitely contributes to the atmosphere and fits the game. Just saying it won't work for eveyr game because many, maybe the majority of people couldn't care less about collectibles.

I agree that not all stories in games should be told this way, but I don't think he meant collectibles I think he means being able to play the game without story if you want, and if he doesn't then I must be projecting. I did find that scanning added replay value which is always good. I even tried replaying the second, but that game...

The story telling in Bastion is great, just the way they structure it.

And also Silent Hill 2, greatest story ever in a video game possibly, the way Konami manages to add so much suspense into the game and how you don't ever feel like you can even trust the main character. The further you go, the more this intensifies. It's great.

Mafia 1 is amazing. For a game that was created by an unknown developer and the voice acting and music composition is phenomenal. To this day, its the only game that can rival rockstars's free roam games.

[QUOTE="rilpas"]

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"] nope, its the greatest story that I enjoyed in a videogame. Gue1

it's... a pretty bad story imo, with some very moronic characters, stupid plot twists and huge plot holes

come man, I didn't like FFX but you have to give it credit for what it did at its time. The game was one of the first to include full voice overs and tried to convey emotion through the face of the characters without the need of CGI. For its time the game set standards that very few could surpass when it came to story-telling. It's just that by today's standards they are borderline archaic.

full voice overs? I can think of many games (specially on PCs) that had full voice overs before FF X

and I'm not complaining about the production values, I'm complaining about the actual story, it's bad, it's really bad

come man, I didn't like FFX but you have to give it credit for what it did at its time. The game was one of the first to include full voice overs and tried to convey emotion through the face of the characters without the need of CGI. For its time the game set standards that very few could surpass when it came to story-telling. It's just that by today's standards they are borderline archaic.

Gue1

I have a strange feeling something on PC did that first. Oh, and hasn't 3D Link always conveyed emotion through his face?

Playing the role of an annoying, dumb character does not equal good story telling. :lol:

I'll go with:

• LOZ: Majoras Mask
• Half-Life 2
• Metroid Prime
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
• Odin Sphere
• Bastion

the darkness

The story telling in Bastion is great, just the way they structure it.

And also Silent Hill 2, greatest story ever in a video game possibly, the way Konami manages to add so much suspense into the game and how you don't ever feel like you can even trust the main character. The further you go, the more this intensifies. It's great.

Blueresident87

I've heard so many good things about Silent Hill 2, but I don't handle horror well.

I usually stress myself out waiting for something to happen and it doesn't, and jump scares are irritating.

Shadow of the Colossus. Beautifully told, masterfully executed. Blabadon

I was waiting for this one, it uses simplicity so well. It is one of the few things I have my own inferences about story-wise.

I do get tired of the constant "this game is art"s anytime it is mentioned. Also, the people who tell others what the story is, while it is open to different views.

the darkness

TheShadowLord07

[QUOTE="TheShadowLord07"]

the darkness

freedomfreak

True. Dem loading screens.

Wait! Did a game tell its story through loading screens?

Of all time, I'm going to say Majora's Mask.

Of this gen I'm going to say it's a tie between Knights in the Nightmare and Silent Hill shattered Memories. For different reasons.

[QUOTE="freedomfreak"]

[QUOTE="TheShadowLord07"]

the darkness

TilxWLOC

True. Dem loading screens.

Wait! Did a game tell its story through loading screens?

Heavy Rain comes to mind. The only one that comes to mind actually..

NIER is up there. The fact you had to do multiple new game +'s (shorter ones at least) to see the whole story was refreshingly original. And it was a lot more than just different endings like you got in Chrono Trigger.

1. Planescape: Torment

2. Half Life 1 & 2

3. Max Payne

4. Mass Effect

5. System Shock 2

NIER is up there. The fact you had to do multiple new game +'s (shorter ones at least) to see the whole story was refreshingly original. And it was a lot more than just different endings like you got in Chrono Trigger.

Kiro0

That sounds pretty cool. What kind of game is it?

Cryostasis and Metroid Prime 2.

Ico.

Bioshock was the first to pop into mind

Monkey Island, Fahrenheit and Mass Effect.

Ico.

rjdofu

I Haven't played Ico yet, I only know one place to get it, don't shop online, and it is still $30.

red dead redemption

grand theft auto 4

ico

ratchet and clank: a crack in time

grim fandango

the longest journey

syberia

bioshock

system shock

silent hill 2

broken sword: the shadow of the templars

portal 2

...these are games that actually made me care about the characters and want to know what happens next, the writing in all of these is great. this is coming from someone who looks at story dead last when evaluating a game.

red dead redemption

grand theft auto 4

ico

ratchet and clank: a crack in time

grim fandango

the longest journey

syberia

bioshock

system shock

portal 2

...these are gamesa that actually made me care about the characters and want to know what happens next, the writing in all of these is great. this is coming from someone who looks at story last when evaluating a game.

lazerface216

Why do so many people say RDR? The story wasn't that great.