03-27-2005, 11:35 AM
The problem is that the best storytelling games are often the most tightly scripted, which I'm sure are the games that movie directors would love the most, but for the rest of us it can be a weakness.
Final Fantasy 3 (U.S.) had some moments which were pretty much scripted, but very touching. What really gets me with this game is the use of music. I'm sure many, if not most, Lurkers have played it and know what I mean. You have this scene where one of your characters has to fill in for an opera star, and the musical theme used in that scene is just so sad and beautiful. The thing is, it's not just great emotional background music, but it is something you are focusing on because your job in the scene is to sing the lyrics to the theme and move your character to the right spots on stage. Then later in the game there is a huge scripted event, and afterwards you find yourself in control of the same character, all by herself, not sure if any of her companions are still alive, and that theme music is playing in the background. That's about as close to a tearjerker as I've seen in a video game.
But Stevie needs to remember that video games aren't always marketed to the "chick flick" demographics. Evoking tears usually isn't a goal of the game. Evoking excitement, fright, and the joy of the victor... lot's of games can do these things pretty well.
Final Fantasy 3 (U.S.) had some moments which were pretty much scripted, but very touching. What really gets me with this game is the use of music. I'm sure many, if not most, Lurkers have played it and know what I mean. You have this scene where one of your characters has to fill in for an opera star, and the musical theme used in that scene is just so sad and beautiful. The thing is, it's not just great emotional background music, but it is something you are focusing on because your job in the scene is to sing the lyrics to the theme and move your character to the right spots on stage. Then later in the game there is a huge scripted event, and afterwards you find yourself in control of the same character, all by herself, not sure if any of her companions are still alive, and that theme music is playing in the background. That's about as close to a tearjerker as I've seen in a video game.
But Stevie needs to remember that video games aren't always marketed to the "chick flick" demographics. Evoking tears usually isn't a goal of the game. Evoking excitement, fright, and the joy of the victor... lot's of games can do these things pretty well.