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...And The Plot Thickens: but does it need to?

July 17, 2008 in Blog comments 10

A light-hearted and humorous analysis of story in games. The author seems to think that there's not any need for story. Find out his reasoning inside.

Note: Just a quote. Not the entire article.

”Now it is the beginning of a fantastic story! Let us make a journey to the Cave of Monsters! Good Luck!”

That was the beginning of one of my favorite games of all-time, Bubble Bobble. You read that presumably poorly translated text right before you started blowing colorful bubbles at toasters and ghouls and space invaders before stomping on them and subsequently turning them into fruits and vegetables. I don’t think there’s anyone out there defending the coherency of this tale or even how you go about accomplishing whatever goals were set for our Dragon friends (I think their dragonesses were kidnapped or something), but this game still stands out as an old-time favorite. Why? Because it’s as fun and addictive as popping bubble-wrap, even if it’s just as repetitive and unproductive, albeit with less Vitamin C rewards.
RKRigney via slapstic.com »
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  • 0
    Bale Fire* Jul 18, 08
    Hmm he has a point, not all games require a story. Better to have no story at all than try to make a good one and fail.

    I do however object to his treatment of MGS4, if he had played the game through he would know about what happens involving Liquid and Ocelot.
  • 0
    MusiKon Jul 18, 08
    As usual, it depends on the game itself. I can't see myself being involved in a 10+ hour drama while playing Tetris.
  • 3
    Miss Razz Jul 18, 08
    quote
    I can take silly plot devices at face value, but I can’t do it when the story takes itself way too seriously, and that’s what Metal Gear has done.
    I lol'ed.

    Metal Gear Solid takes itself too seriously? What game was this guy playing? MGS knows it's silly ... and it plays on that. The silliness and outlandishness is what makes it a unique series.
    Heck, Kojima himself said that he wanted to make comedy a big point in MGS.

    Article = fail.
    • 1
      Seeker X Jul 18, 08
      Not to mention it's one of the few franchises out there that delivers Fanservice AND closure without having plot holes.
    • 2
      Seproth Jul 18, 08
      I laughed a lot during MGS4. Monkey was hilarious. So was Sunny refusing to let Snake smoke. Plus cardboard box with "No Place for Kojima" written on it.

      Clearly it's serious...
    • -3
      Ryan Med Jul 18, 08
      I wasn't saying that MGS is void of humor, I was speaking strictly of the plot-line.
      • 2
        Seeker X Jul 18, 08
        What's the matter with having substance behind the gameplay, honestly?
  • 1
    Arcaida Jul 18, 08
    Nothing's more serious than an elderly soldier thwarting his enemies with porno mags.

    I like to think Metal Gear is very well balanced between it's humor and it's serious points. It covers most of the colors of emotion, and damn well.
  • 1
    Marshal Loss Jul 18, 08
    MGS4 was hilarious, I agree with Seproth. the whole game is full of substance, some of which is humour. Makes a nice change if you ask me.
  • 0
    BANDITO ATTACK Jul 18, 08
    i've skipped every cutscene in every game i have ever played.

    except where you cant skip them, then i usually dont play the game for very long.

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