What do you think makes a GOOD story?

[Fanfic_warper]

In today's entertainment industry, I feel that it's easy to get suckered into something wiht gimmicky game controls and choices in video games, explosions in movies, or drama in tv shows, but does anyone stop to look at the STORY of something?

What is it that you think makes a good story basically?

To me, good plot development with a paced story progression and matching character development make for good stories.

Such examples would be like the Stargate series, Final Fantasy XIII, The Dresden Files(novels, not the show), Harry Potter, Naruto, BLEACH, Most Gundam Series, House M.D. and even Burn Notice.

Bad stories, are ones that have no character development, or very little if any and try to be all over the place with how they pace their progression. Such examples would be like Psychonauts, One Piece, Duke Nukem Forever, Dead Space.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Making a good story can't be explained so simply, otherwise everyone would do it.

Like all artistic endeavours, it mostly boils down to "I know what I like, and this is/n't"

 

[Akytalusia]

i'd say a good story is one with ambiguous rivalry and, unfortunately, does whatever it takes to make you emotionaly invested in the characters. wether that be making you love them, hate them, or hate the author for doing something horrifying to them.

 

[Dantarn]

Betrayal, but when it isn't obvious.
And having interesting charecters dosn't hurt

 

[TakerFoxx]

I've always liked Neil Gaiman's definition. Something that keeps me turning the pages and doesn't leave me feeling cheated at the end.

 

[Mr Thin]

Being written by Stephen R. Donaldson always helps.

Aside from that... I suppose trope awareness is a handy thing to have, as a story writer. Knowing when to use them, when to avoid them, and when to mix them up. But I'm no writer, so that's just speculation on my part.

 

[scorptatious]

Well in my opinion, what makes a good story or character is somewhat subjective. Sure there are some of the things that are needed to make a good story, such as an interesting setting, interesting characters and the like.

But what whether someone likes a certain character or not is somewhat subjective. For example, I happen to like Cloud from Final Fantasy VII. But there are other people who don't. The way I see things, this doesn't necessarily make him a bad character. It just means that his character doesn't appeal to everyone.

As for story, again, rather subjective. Some people may prefer a simple story like going out to save the princess, with bits of elements expected out of the first and second acts. Others may prefer a more complex story like say, the Metal Gear Solid series as a whole.

As for what I think makes a good story? I like it when each of the characters have somewhat personal goals. It helps me connect to the character better rather than if the character was out saving the world just for the sake of saving the world. Final Fantasy IX did a really good job at this in my opinion. Along with some good character development as well.

 

[StormShaun]

Interesting characters, a story that makes sense, good pace, goals and a romance wouldn't be so bad.

Frankly I think these make a good story.

 

[Rnr1224]

i like a good story to be inspiring.

 

[LongAndShort]

Characters that, like or hate 'em, I care about what happens to them. A story that, while maybe it is pretty damn complicated and convoluted, is coherent.

And if you're going to use obvious plot devices, make sure that it's appropriate. Don't spend two hundred pages setting up an obvious betrayal and then have a surprised protagonist. Seriously.

 

[Kakashi on crack]

If the story allows me to get into the book/movie/game, and not feel like I'm reading/viewing/playing an essay narrative, than its a good story.

 

[anthony87]

Being the story of the Legacy of Kain series makes you a good story by default.

As an added bonus it also includes some of the best voice acting ever performed in a game.

 

[The_R3d_Fury]

Interesting characters, a story that makes sense, good pace, goals and a romance wouldn't be so bad.

Frankly I think these make a good story.

Dominic Santiago in Gears 2. Almost cried when he had to *spoiler*.

I love it when I can become lost in a story.

 

[Tsukuyomi]

Usually it seems to always come down to characters, and if it's a live-acting piece or a VA work, it also comes down to the actors' ability. I always have been and always will praise a work with a diverse cast of archetypes. They may be cliche, but if you've clearly defined their roles and their personalities reflect that, then you have quite a bit to work with and it's got enormous inter-personal potential. These days I feel like so much emphasis is placed on emulating real people that that is lost. Sure you won't have Final Fantasy-grade tropes in real life, but people that approach those characteristics do exist and in real life people do tend to gravitate to them and I think it's simply because they are not just middle of the road like the rest of us.

Otherwise, I think all things in moderation help as well. Making a this or that focused story is okay, but overall I think when you give someone a story to experience, you're giving them a world to look into and understand. Putting all the pieces in moderation but highlighting certain ones gives the audience a better idea. Mass Effect is of course one of the prime examples. There's an entire universe there, and it was established. We got that impression basically as soon as we set foot on the citadel. Even though the story itself focuses on Commander Shepard, we're keenly aware that there's an entire universe out there behind him, not just as a two-dimensional backdrop to his greatness, but as an actual universe. Crafting a world or universe can, I think, offer a better experience than just crafting a story and leaving the 'unimportant' bits to sit and gather dust in the corner.