Should every series have a story recap in the latest entry?

In DMC V there is an option to view a video that gives a brief recap of the story so far. I think that's a cool idea and should be adapted more especially in games that are part of a series. What do you think, SW? Do you agree?

If it's optional, then sure. Even mandatory could be a minor gripe for regular players, but certainly not the end of the world.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that they “should” but it’s certainly a nice feature to have available in some franchises of games.

I'd love that feature, yes they should. Specially if they're a long running series.

Dead Space 3 had it, I personally think if the series has up to 3 games that are critical storytelling, a recap should be a feature but it all depends on the game of the story.

For the most parts, if such a thing isn't present in a heavy game series storytelling, then most likely Youtubers will do it however.

Eh. Not every series goes in chronological order for the story, though. Take the Divinity franchise for instance. Six games, but they skip around more than Star Wars.

Order of release: Divine Divinity, Beyond Divinity, Divinity II, Divinity Dragon Commander, Divinity: Original Sin, and Divinity: Original Sin II

Chronologically: Divinity Dragon Commander, Divinity: Original Sin, Divine Divinity, Divinity: Original Sin II, Beyond Divinity, and Divinity II

Even Original Sin 1 and 2 don't directly follow each other.

I guess what I'm getting at is that it's more suited for some series than others. Crysis 2 and 3 had recap videos, but they ended up bungling them and they raised more questions than they answered. So I dunno.

Only if needed. If the game is confident it can tell a story well and give sufficient information I dont think recap is needed.

Only if it's the guy from dragonballz.

I enjoy that I loved how DMC V did it.

Sometimes they are helpful, but I shy away from terms like every.

Yeah the last thing video games need is more cutscenes.

No, imo game stories should be able to stand alone as most do now.

If it’s a series I care about chances are I played some previous game in the franchise.

So I don’t need that feature. I enjoy looking up the basics of a past story on my own. It is like a surprise.

Definitely... especially if it's a narrative-driven experience.

@getyeryayasout:

Deus Ex drove me crazy every time I went back to the game.

I always forgot simple things like holstering my gun or reloading because they have stupid controls no other video game uses.

Every game is just 1 button, not deus ex though. Have to hold like L1, Square and spin around a menu or something lolololol

yeah an option to view a "previously on <franchise x>" video would be nice.

cut scenes should have video controls too - pause, rewind, fast forward, skip etc

It's not nessecary but it would be nice

@Macutchi: I've always thought it would be great if you could rewind/fast forward cutscenes.

Story recap? The TRUE fans of a franchise replay the previous games, listen to the soundtracks, read all the books, study the Wiki page, and read fan theories before the latest entry.

Filthy casuals.

Yeah, they should have at least something. I liked the way Yakuza games did it on the PS3, as they would recap the story during the installation. They also almost always have much longer videos in the games themselves that summarize everything if you want more details.

Second.

@uninspiredcup: Lol I like your thinking. XD

Anyway in most cases I'd say it's unnecessary. If you played the last game you should get the jist of things, and even then the story of a sequel tends to answer anything you were foggy about within the first few hours. If they drop you into a sequel where some really odd stuff is going on and you don't know why the situation has changed so drastically, that can often serve to make you more attentive to what's going on...and even then, the game will eventually explain what's up.

I always watch the story recap in the Yakuza games even though I have finished everyone multiple times. The is extremely confusing to keep track of and there is so many characters.

Only if it were truly necessary, but overall, no... Is would be a waste of time a resources.

Depends on the series. Yakuza needs it while witcher doesn't.

I'd love that feature, yes they should.

Agreed.

Recap in a Pokemon game it just will spoil a new game?

Yeah, I think it would be beneficial. Just a nice refresher sort of thing.

Depends on the game. I don't need to know what happened with Niko Bellic when I play GTAV. But some games continue where the other left off and a little reminder of the plot up to that point would be nice. Uncharted for instance. And I've only played DMC:Devil May Cry, the recap feature for Devil May Cry 5 sounds good.

I think it's a good idea as long as it's optional like yakuza series. I can't remember details what I did yesterday let alone the last entry in a franchise I played 5 years ago. Mgs4 perfect example lots of times I could have done with a recap before I played it.

Yeah..