Why games fail at storytelling

[zexen_lowe]

SmokedHostage said:

zexen_lowe said:
It's funny how they criticize Metal Gear Solid's story and arfter the article there's a link to "15 Best Game Stories Ever" in the same site and MGS is the first game.
Other than that, I disagree completely with the article, even though I love Portal's story, I also love a complex, even if it's uninteractive story (that's why I play a lot of JRPGs), just the way that I love reading books (and I'm not comparing them, both are different).
I have the belief that to create complex , rich, detailed stories, the ammount of influence the character can make can't be high, because if the story is too branched, it loses its focus and complexity. I'd rather have a Xenosaga-like game (zero interactivity with the story, but it features an amazing, complex, engaging story) that a Fable-like game (a lot of freedom of choices, but the story sucks). At least that's my take

That's the problem right there.  The article says that JRPG's , for the most part, have poor stories and detach yourself often from the character by use of cutscenes, narration bubbles and other devices.  You're playing a game yet a character can make decisions you don't necessarily agree with and you realize you're just 'the pilot of a flight.'

 

But that's exactly my point. JRPGs (or at least good JRPGs) have amazing stories. Of course, they are non-interactive, but I've felt more attached to JRPG characters and their actions that I've been to characters of every other genre. And if the JRPG is good, the decisions the character makes will not feel out of place, so I won't be thinking "ooh, I wanted to do other thing instead of that". Heck, the main reason I play JRPGs is for their story, of course gameplay is important too, but when I play a JRPG it's to see see the story develop and grow on me, surprise me and move me.