Video games force their story

**enf** · 02-04-13, 06:31 PM

People play games for different reasons. Just because someone doesnt like the story aspect doesnt mean they shouldnt play RPGs... Thats like saying you shouldnt play Skyrim without spending the first 15 hours running around to look at the detailed terrain.

**Warflagon** · 02-04-13, 06:32 PM

It seems I've struck a nerve, lol.

It's fine to envelop yourself in the world of the game, that's fine. I just prefer to find that element in the game itself, not in the packaging and semantics of the item. To me, it's like having a preface to a book take up 1/5 of the volume of the tome. I'm simply not interested, usually, in the preface. It's not what I bought the book for.

I've always enjoyed the RPG elements of a game in the "leveling up" factor. The ability to increase my character stats and scope through game play. That does not necessitate a long, boring, irrelevant history or back story, imo.

Gameplay is the reason I buy a game. Story is the reason I buy a book, and sometimes, even, enjoy a movie.

Edit -I'm not begrudging anyone what they enjoy in a game. I would just like to be able to skip the unneeded rhetoric the same way I skip the preface in a book. My books don't force the preface on me. Not the first time, not the second time, nor the fifth. I just ask for that same courtesy from my games.

**Red_Lizard2** · 02-04-13, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by enf

People play games for different reasons. Just because someone doesnt like the story aspect doesnt mean they shouldnt play RPGs... Thats like saying you shouldnt play Skyrim without spending the first 15 hours running around to look at the detailed terrain.

99% of RPGs are about the story and lore, if it was about say ARPGs then there would be a case, since those are more about epic loots and leveling. To me it would be like playing a shooter because I wanted to explore the world or hate shooting people. Why play a shooter then?

Same reason I don't get why people want to skip the beginning of Fallout 3 (unless they've played it 2-3 times already). It sets up the entire story of the game, the world (somewhat), etc.

**DJ Ms. White** · 02-04-13, 07:35 PM

I don't find stories that force the story too bad, but I do enjoy fluid story telling. It makes me feel much more like I'm in the game instead of angel watching the action up above.

**azalea** · 02-04-13, 09:19 PM

Try playing Ace Attorney or Zero Escape games on the DS

**a weakling spaz** · 02-04-13, 09:35 PM

This bugs the hell out of me too. The story should develop naturally over the course of the game, and the setting and history can gradually be explained. I groan every time I load a game for the first time now.

I disagree on Fallout 3 though. The only annoying part of its introduction was having to sit through it again on subsequent playthroughs. Since I played through it on the 360 this was especially aggravating due to no mod support.

**Red_Lizard2** · 02-04-13, 09:35 PM

Also if we are just talking about backstory, then I can agree some games it is a waste of time. Usually it comes down to me if it sets a tone/the character/etc. or is it barely mentioned and forgotten?

**enf** · 02-04-13, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

99% of RPGs are about the story and lore, if it was about say ARPGs then there would be a case, since those are more about epic loots and leveling. To me it would be like playing a shooter because I wanted to explore the world or hate shooting people. Why play a shooter then?

Same reason I don't get why people want to skip the beginning of Fallout 3 (unless they've played it 2-3 times already). It sets up the entire story of the game, the world (somewhat), etc.

Because its their game and they can play it however they want.

**BrokenApe** · 02-04-13, 11:59 PM

So you watch it once, you learn the timing and then you do what I do, create a saved game before the real game starts.. those games always have a point where you can change your mind before starting the game proper... then when you want a fresh game, voila you're ok

**SmokenScion** · 02-08-13, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Warflagon

Then there is BF's single player. There's a single player mode? Don't care, so doesn't affect me, though I did try once to play the single player in BFBC2 .....shit, what a waste of time.....Well, enjoy that if you want, was the about the only time I've ever even tried the "story" or single player in a FPS since HL1. You are welcome to it.

I hated that shit, And if god forbid you Died after the cutscene you'd have to watch it again just to play the mission after it.