Video Game Narrative an art form for women?
March 2nd 2011 08:43
Right, so I finished "Dead Space 2" last week, which led to a discussion with a friend just last night about how important good narrative structure is in gaming. According to said friend this isn't as important as the graphics and essentially things like collectibles, weapon choice etc.
We got into a bit of a debate about this because I think the narrative is the key component in me enjoying a video game. Titles like "Dead Space", "Mass Effect", "BioShock", "Uncharted" are some of my favorite games and yes, although the graphics are stupendous, it is the narrative that truly makes me love them, because of the emotional attachment I came to have with the characters.
My friend (whom shall remain nameless but is male) suggested I think narrative is the key to great games because I am a woman. He also suggested 99% of male gamers would agree with him, that narrative is not as important as fancy graphics and in game reward.
Personally I don't think it's anything to do with gender, but I may be wrong, so I'm posting about it here. What do you think? Is narrative important, or in some respect the key element in a game, or is it all the other bells and whistles?
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Comment by Spring-Heeled Jack
Over.Exposure
This actually has a fair bit of overlap with my most recent post too...
Comment by Edward 1
EducatedInGames
Gamer Verdict
Super Mario Bros didn't become an iconic videogame for its narrative. Nor did Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time received such praise from gamers and critics for its graphics. Final Fantasy 13 was gorgeous, but turned out to be a boring experience because of its narrative and game design.
And think about this: Limbo's graphics is mostly the colour black and had barely a hint of storyline, but the gameplay and its game design made it arguably 2010's best downloadable game of the year.
If video game is art as you said, then the quality of a video game isn't judged on just one part of the game, but every part of the game as a whole.
And at the end of the day: how you react to all these parts of the game as a whole shapes your perception on how great the game is.
Dead Space 2 was graphically impressive: the strong use of darkness complemented by the minimal use of lighting and heavily detailed art work all combined to create the tone and believability of the situation on the Sprawl.
The story was engaging and interesting: the story of Isaac trying to survive on the Sprawl, and the interesting characters he meets, like Ellie and Stross, is what allows us to stick till the end of the game and give a damn to what is happening.
Without a high attention to graphics, gamers would find it hard to immerse themselves into the world. And without an interesting story, gamers would not be motivated to continue playing the game.
Gender has nothing to do with what you think makes a great game. It is how all the elements in a game impresses and dissappoints you.
Comment by Jose
Orb of Insight
Political Writing
Comment by GeekGrrl
Games Ramble
Science Fiction Ramble
thanks for all the responses.
@OverExposure
Hey there! First up nice article, let me know if you're interested in having your gaming related stuff on a non-orble gaming site, linking through to the original. You're so right about all those games, awesome narrative and some sweet graphics too!
@EducatedInGames
I should have clarified I think narrative is a 'key component' for the most part, and certainly not always, some of my favorite games from eons ago hold next to no narrative. Limbo was just superb and had a sort of silent narrative, just lovely. I personally prefer to judge things as a whole also and as I've written game reviews for over 2 decades, have a fairly good grasp I like to hope lol. Ellie was a truly awesome game character and as you say those other components in "Dead Space 2" certainly are a major part of the experience, the sound and lighting alone were enough to make you jump. I'm not sure we agree 100% on the "Without a high attention to graphics, gamers would find it hard to immerse themselves into the world". I assume you're referring specifically to "Dead Space 2" and not gaming as a whole? Your last sentence sums things up exactly and I completely agree.
@OrbofInsight
And they wonder why the world is the way it is eh? Nothing like pointing out gender differences ALL the time and slapping you in the face with it 24/7. As you say we're all from Earth... well.. most of you ;p
@NightTimeBrothers
LOL Oh a good plot huh. LOVED "Dead Space 2" and the first for that matter. Onto Bulletstorm now.
Comment by Edward 1
EducatedInGames
Gamer Verdict
Like Super Meat Boy, the creators have brought a variety of graphics, which adds to its charm, like the secret levels that throwbacks to the blocky 8-bit era. And the normal levels with all its traps look gorgeous and Meat Boy himself animates so well, from the way he runs to how he splats onto the walls. Despite being 2D, the graphics had charm and it helped immerse me into that world.
The character models in the very first Metal Gear Solid on the Playstation was comprised of shades of blocks to resemble a face. But the mainly dark art direction of the levels help create, in my mind, the seriousness and tone the story is conveying.
WarCraft 3: the blocky character models and art design molded together to create the developer's own take on the fantasy world.
These games showed the hard effort the developers put into making the game look appealing to keep the gamers playing. It doesn't matter if it is 2D or 3D, 8-bit or 128-bit. If Dead Space 2 is set in brightly lit rooms and cuts to lazy comic book cut scenes like in Dead Space: Ignition, I would find it harder to care what is happening to Isaac, or even put me off playing.
Is there other games you found yourself immersed in?
Comment by sTdwares
Health and Fitness
How Life Treats
I still understand what you want to say.