(06-24-2012, 04:23 PM)Mavfin Wrote: I'm not going to say anything about Leah, but, as far as Deckard Cain and Tyrael, that's why the Book of Cain was put up on the D3 site before release, so those who might actually be interested could see the backstory.
Backstory should be just that - backstory. Maybe it justifies the action, or sets it up, but it shouldn't be necessary. The basic arc should be strong from within the game, not needing to be propped up by the better writing of earlier eras.
To give an example, you might not know anything about Luke, Leia and Han at the beginning of Empire Strikes Back, but the movie gives you everything you need to have a satisfying experience without having seen A New Hope. Each character is interesting and comprehensible for what they say and do in the movie itself.
-Jester