Second MGS4 review in -score 92 "story too complex"

[rocketpig]

TheRealMafoo said:

rocketpig said:

TheRealMafoo said:

HappySqurriel said:

I don't disagree that when well done a complicated story can be great ... I won't get into it too much, but I have always felt that the "Great" storytelling in a lot of games like Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy is far closer to Van Helsing or Transformers than to good literature or movies.

I agree there. I have yet to play a game that rivals a good movie. Mostly because of pace. The closest would be GTAIV, if you like movies like Goodfellas, or the the TV show The Sopranos.

I think Mass Effect had some of the best pacing for an open-ended story-driven game. It was just enough to make it somewhat believable while keeping it simple enough to not get in its own way.

The last three hours of that game are what I expect from a story-driven game. It ramps up and keeps going right until the end.

ME had a great story. But for some reason, it was a great video game story to me. Not the same feel I guess as something a little more gritty and seedy as GTAIV. GTAIV seemed like something that could be turned into a movie, and be successful. ME if turned into a movie, would just feel like a second rate sci-fi channel movie.

It's all opinion though :)

Very true. I have a real love/hate relationship with GTA's story. At times, it exudes brilliance in a Tarantino/Scorsece sort of way. Other times, I feel like I'm getting more Mafia! than I am Goodfellas. It's really all over the spectrum. Some parts are subtle and well-acted, others are downright laughable. Some of the plot choices (kill or not to kill) are welcome additions and help greatly with immersion but overall, there is very little consequence in the game and that bothers me quite a bit. It seems as if game developers still can't sort out how to tell a good story in an interactive medium and either abandon the story entirely in favor of choice (Oblivion) or they try to make a friggin' movie as a video game (MGS).

Anyway, I'm tangenting. I agree that ME wouldn't make as good a movie as GTAIV but since they're not movies, I'll give the nod to BioWare for more effectively working within the constraints of the medium as storytellers.

As I get through GTA, I'm pretty impressed with what Rockstar tried to do with the game. Unfortunately, as is the case with most video game stories, they still failed on multiple levels with lack of consequence, spurts of terrible acting and dialogue, and an over reliance on childish dick/gay jokes.