Game With the Best Story? (For school assignment)
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Assassin's Creed 1 and 2 (pretend brotherhood doesn't exist 
)
Shadow of the Colossus is a good one too.
Fallout perhaps although it isn't linear and would be difficult to explain since you would have to follow the main story line.
)Shadow of the Colossus is a good one too.
Fallout perhaps although it isn't linear and would be difficult to explain since you would have to follow the main story line.
I disagree, too. Dragon Age Origins was one of the worst games I ever played. TheNoyourjoanzy said:
OT: BioShock, by far. And back off topic again... with the way this community is, I'm surprised I didn't see Skyrim at all on the front page.
I would go for a game whose story can change depending on the acts of the player. Because that kind of story could never be told by another medium, it's a strong argument for the "videogames as art" debate.
When I say the story can change depending on the player's actions, I'm not talking just about multiple endings, I'm talking about multiple endings that change the story retroactively. So, depending on the end you get, you will have played a whole diferent story everytime.
For me, the champion in this area is still Shadow of Memories (or Shadow of Destiny). It's a little forgotten nowadays, and many people don't even consider it a game in the real sense, but the way each ending tells a completely different story -- like each story happened in a diferent reality -- is refreshing to say the least.
But if you want a more popular choice, Silent Hill 2 fits the bill quite nicely. Not surprising, since it was made by the same people. The actions you have to take to reach each ending are very subtle and very appropriate to each of them, and you really play a different story everytime you go for a different ending. It's just one more reason why that game is so fantastic.
And of course, no "games as art" argument would be complete withou Shaodw of the Colossus. Everyone has already sang the praises to that game far better than I could, so just listen to them.
But in general, I don't think it's a good idea to pick only one game. Mention three or four in that paragraph, you will be a lot more fair than if you mentioned only one.
When I say the story can change depending on the player's actions, I'm not talking just about multiple endings, I'm talking about multiple endings that change the story retroactively. So, depending on the end you get, you will have played a whole diferent story everytime.
For me, the champion in this area is still Shadow of Memories (or Shadow of Destiny). It's a little forgotten nowadays, and many people don't even consider it a game in the real sense, but the way each ending tells a completely different story -- like each story happened in a diferent reality -- is refreshing to say the least.
But if you want a more popular choice, Silent Hill 2 fits the bill quite nicely. Not surprising, since it was made by the same people. The actions you have to take to reach each ending are very subtle and very appropriate to each of them, and you really play a different story everytime you go for a different ending. It's just one more reason why that game is so fantastic.
And of course, no "games as art" argument would be complete withou Shaodw of the Colossus. Everyone has already sang the praises to that game far better than I could, so just listen to them.
But in general, I don't think it's a good idea to pick only one game. Mention three or four in that paragraph, you will be a lot more fair than if you mentioned only one.
The idea of storytelling in video games is still something that hasn't quite reached its potential yet. There are still more experimental games out there not mainstream that are trying different ways to tell a story. The other thing to take into account is that stories in other mediums are far different than games because they aren't interactive like games.
You can put down many different titles of ones that try different types of storytelling that are effective.
Mass Effect is a new game that is good for its deep characterized space opera. Shadow of the Colossus is a more minimalists, or almost surreal in its approach to fantasy and a deep study on desire and one's willingness to do what they want from love. The Ultima games dealt with varying issues, and many of which, starting from Ultima 4 o5 five i think had many different themes of spirituality and ideas on societal views. The Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time was a game that really tried to be more 'Cinematic' and took an older game and made it modernized. It had a much more linear story but it was modelled after a fairy tale or a story from the 1001 Nights. Bastion, a new game very much decides to change up and see what can be done within narration. And the Half-life and Portal games are all about the story as you see it. Half-life the cut scene's are all within your control, you don't have to stand still. While Portal, you get the story from the dialogue from GLaDoS and the found places of the 'Rat Man'.
So really, its more of a focus on what kind of stories should be told and how they can be different and the kind of immersion that involves the player/viewer.
Yeah, that's alot harder to pin down, but then again, the question of 'What is Art?' has been asked for quite a long time. Couple hundred years actually.
You can put down many different titles of ones that try different types of storytelling that are effective.
Mass Effect is a new game that is good for its deep characterized space opera. Shadow of the Colossus is a more minimalists, or almost surreal in its approach to fantasy and a deep study on desire and one's willingness to do what they want from love. The Ultima games dealt with varying issues, and many of which, starting from Ultima 4 o5 five i think had many different themes of spirituality and ideas on societal views. The Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time was a game that really tried to be more 'Cinematic' and took an older game and made it modernized. It had a much more linear story but it was modelled after a fairy tale or a story from the 1001 Nights. Bastion, a new game very much decides to change up and see what can be done within narration. And the Half-life and Portal games are all about the story as you see it. Half-life the cut scene's are all within your control, you don't have to stand still. While Portal, you get the story from the dialogue from GLaDoS and the found places of the 'Rat Man'.
So really, its more of a focus on what kind of stories should be told and how they can be different and the kind of immersion that involves the player/viewer.
Yeah, that's alot harder to pin down, but then again, the question of 'What is Art?' has been asked for quite a long time. Couple hundred years actually.
Personally I think that the best stories in games are the stories that you yourself make. I prefer games that just give me the basic tools with which to create my own adventures. I get the most fun out of games like Europa Universalis/Crusader Kings/Hearts of Iron, Bastion and the Total War series (minus Shogun, perhaps; there you have a clearly defined goal). You just need a bit of imagination and creative drive and you can basically make stories rivalling that of any AAA title- only they are fully and totally, 100% uniquely yours.
Of course, games like these are the principles of excellent Subjective Storytelling- the story's bounds are limited to the person playing it; for better or worse. In terms of Objective Storytelling, where the story takes on a definite and relatively linear (even if it's choice-driven) path, BioWare makes excellent examples of them, and Valve's single-player games are always strong in the story department.
And I've just Gone Gonzo after over 3 years on this site. Hot damn.
Of course, games like these are the principles of excellent Subjective Storytelling- the story's bounds are limited to the person playing it; for better or worse. In terms of Objective Storytelling, where the story takes on a definite and relatively linear (even if it's choice-driven) path, BioWare makes excellent examples of them, and Valve's single-player games are always strong in the story department.
And I've just Gone Gonzo after over 3 years on this site. Hot damn.
Well then some of the games here have very good narratives.zHellas said:
But many of them are not mainstream titles and take a fairly reasonable length of time to finish (60-300 Hours) to finish.
If you want to argue it based on story I would recomend something like the Starcraft universe., Not because of the story being the "best" because it isn't. But because it is probably more accessable to an audience that is unfamiliar with the medium.
Personally I would attack the problem from a different dirrection. As a visual artist does not always place a story into their artwork. Likewise a Video-game does not always need to do the same thing within their product. This is not to say that a video-game does ot benefit from a story if it to be considered as a work of art by an audience.
That is about where my advice ends...
As I really would require a little more context behind the reasons that are being argued against video games. But I do hope the little I have provided is helpful.
Brutal Legend has a really good story AND its being featured in the Smithsonian's Video Game Exhibition
It depends on what you're after and what you mean.
If you mean a typical linear story, like a book or movie, this thread has volumes - take your pick, you could argue a solid case for just about every one - though we'll have to disagree on Shadow of the Colossus; great game, poor story in my opinion.
If you mean a non-linear story, as in a story unique to the video game medium, things get complicated quickly.
EVE Online has some of the best 'stories' coming out of it. Political intrique, spying, sabotage; it's all there.
Deus Ex is technically non-linear, though its story is ultimately pretty cliche.
An open-world game like Grand Theft Auto IV or Oblivion enables users to create 'stories' through their actions. "This one time, while I was..."
For my 2 cents, I'll put my money behind 'Outcast'. A multi-dimensional, time travelling head scratcher that also has a powerful emotional impact at it's conclusion.
If you mean a typical linear story, like a book or movie, this thread has volumes - take your pick, you could argue a solid case for just about every one - though we'll have to disagree on Shadow of the Colossus; great game, poor story in my opinion.
If you mean a non-linear story, as in a story unique to the video game medium, things get complicated quickly.
EVE Online has some of the best 'stories' coming out of it. Political intrique, spying, sabotage; it's all there.
Deus Ex is technically non-linear, though its story is ultimately pretty cliche.
An open-world game like Grand Theft Auto IV or Oblivion enables users to create 'stories' through their actions. "This one time, while I was..."
For my 2 cents, I'll put my money behind 'Outcast'. A multi-dimensional, time travelling head scratcher that also has a powerful emotional impact at it's conclusion.
Planescape: Torment is still an amazing story experience for me, and I've completed it more times than I'd like to think about now. This would be a good hook for your assignment; an immortal amnesiac desperately trying to piece together the shattered remnants of his previous incarnations. Quite heavy stuff in some regards. But then there is Morte to lighten it updarth.pixie said:
I think you can use some much simpler, smaller games to prove that video games can be art. There are a lot of great flash games out there that are quite artistic, like The Stanley Parable [http://www.kongregate.com/games/GregoryWeir/the-majesty-of-colors].
It's probably better to provide shorter, more "concise" games with a clear message as examples of art, rather than 20+ hour epics. That way you're not sifting through hours and hours of gameplay, but rather a short and well-crafted experience with a clear narrative.
It's probably better to provide shorter, more "concise" games with a clear message as examples of art, rather than 20+ hour epics. That way you're not sifting through hours and hours of gameplay, but rather a short and well-crafted experience with a clear narrative.
Bioshock more for it's "Ayn Rand" clout more then anything else so your teacher can't just laugh at the idea of a video game having a story.zHellas said:
If it's teenage issues you want, The World Ends With You is no Catcher in the Rye, but it's certainly a lot better than most games out there. While it's far from subtle sometimes, mostly its message gets across well, and it's also pretty darn funny.
Mass Effect 2 is good, and a recent example. Some people are recommending Planescape: Torment, which is ancient. (relatively)
Something recent like Mass Effect or even as old as Baldurs gate II would be good.
Something recent like Mass Effect or even as old as Baldurs gate II would be good.
If you've been able to sum up one major factor in the 'are games art?' argument in a single sentence, you're not going to be able to write very much.
