I HATE Audio Logs. Stop Using Them! Go Back To Cutscenes

[SvennoJ]

It depends how it's used and whether the game gives you the time to listen to them without being stuck in a menu. Who says audio logs won't be a thing in the future, captain's log ring a bell? ;) Video logs would be more realistic the way you tube is going, yet that doesn't make them any more interesting. Just the audio is fine while you explore. Cut scenes would be worse for the kind of background stories told in audio logs. They should be reserved for the main plot.

HZD strikes a nice balance. Holographic cut scenes for the main plot, audio logs for sub stories showing the effects of the main plot on ordinary people and text logs for background information and additional little details. Most of the logs and text messages were in logical places, unlike in games like Bioshock where somehow a string of audio recordings is left through the levels to advance the main plot. Makes no sense.

I also enjoyed the way Deus Ex: HR did it by hacking into terminals with text messages or the Talos principle. However then you're stuck at the terminal. While reading is faster, hearing voices and background noises can enhance the content. I grew up listening to radio dramas at night, so might be biased there.

Actually I'm more inclined to listen out audio logs than dialogue between characters. I almost always turn on subtitles so I can read ahead and click through dialogue to speed things up.

But it's very annoying when the character or someone else talks over them. Usually I'm hesitant to move far while listening to an audio log. At least you can still inspect the surroundings with the camera, or the player character ;)

Actually Portal 2 comes to mind as a perfect balance between telling the story through world building and audio. Of course it's easier if you have a companion to give out the background information.