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RPGs with good writing and narrative (i dont care about the global story)

ortucis

Prophet
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
2,015
Stop looking for writing in video games and read a book
Why not strive for good writing in everything?
Because game developers most of the time are not even passable writers, let alone 'good' ones, because why should they be?
I'd rather have them focus on what they will be able to improve as their careers mature - namely, gameplay, as in, the thing games require to be considered games


People can improve their writing skills as well. Nothing's stopping them from doing that.

Story-telling is a strong part of genres like RPG and Adventure. A proper story arc and character development is a HUGE plus, for me. That's why these days I barely play games and even if I do, I usually end up quitting in like an hour of two. I don't care if you're aiming for the most generic story/setting in the world, just make it work properly and don't half-arse it (Wolfenstein, Doom 2016, Skyrim, etc.).
 

Ocelot

Learned
Joined
Feb 21, 2018
Messages
363
I'm not sure what you mean by "mature" exactly, but
KotOR2
MotB
Witcher 3 (hearts of stone especially & bloody baron questline in vanilla game)
Alpha Protocol
Deus Ex
VtMB

These are pretty good IMO.

Mass Effect isn't huge on that but it has many lore entries that explain many aspects of that world in detail.
 

Vlajdermen

Arcane
Joined
Nov 19, 2017
Messages
2,039
Location
Catholic Serbia
Stop looking for writing in video games and read a book
Why not strive for good writing in everything?
Because game developers most of the time are not even passable writers, let alone 'good' ones, because why should they be?
I'd rather have them focus on what they will be able to improve as their careers mature - namely, gameplay, as in, the thing games require to be considered games
I get that. Not being a good writer is one thing, just not giving a shit is another thing.
 

Pizzashoes

Scholar
Joined
Oct 31, 2017
Messages
444
Stop looking for writing in video games and read a book
Why not strive for good writing in everything?
Because game developers most of the time are not even passable writers, let alone 'good' ones, because why should they be?
I'd rather have them focus on what they will be able to improve as their careers mature - namely, gameplay, as in, the thing games require to be considered games
The market forces aren't there. Good writers aren't encouraged to go into gaming and create masterpieces. If the standard mass RPG for normalfags is Skyrim, what would make many good normalfag writers/readers go into writing for games? Are companies even headhunting English majors in universities? Getting good writers on board is low on game companies' priorities, so we're not seeing them. Most companies think mass-appeal gameplay makes more money than good writing. They're not wrong, either.
 

Kyl Von Kull

The Night Tripper
Patron
Joined
Jun 15, 2017
Messages
3,152
Location
Jamrock District
Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag.
Stop looking for writing in video games and read a book
Why not strive for good writing in everything?
Because game developers most of the time are not even passable writers, let alone 'good' ones, because why should they be?
I'd rather have them focus on what they will be able to improve as their careers mature - namely, gameplay, as in, the thing games require to be considered games
The market forces aren't there. Good writers aren't encouraged to go into gaming and create masterpieces. If the standard mass RPG for normalfags is Skyrim, what would make many good normalfag writers/readers go into writing for games? Are companies even headhunting English majors in universities? Getting good writers on board is low on game companies' priorities, so we're not seeing them. Most companies think mass-appeal gameplay makes more money than good writing. They're not wrong, either.

You could say this about any medium. It’s not like the most successful films or books or tv shows tend to be particularly well written either. Yet well written stuff gets made anyway because a real writer spits in the face of market forces.
 

Pizzashoes

Scholar
Joined
Oct 31, 2017
Messages
444
Yes. The best stuff is written and created by artists. But artists aren't necessarily commercially viable. My point was we shouldn't expect our games to be art when the games don't have the financial forces to shove artists into writing games. My example was Skyrim, which had no artists. Yes, I love artists, but who is hiring them? Who is giving them the option in our AAA games to create something big? It's not Obsidian—and I think we give them too much shit— and it for sure isn't Bethesda. CD Projekt? I'm biased against them for Witcher 2.

I believe our developers need to prioritize art over commercialism, but what kind of developer would do that?

If MCA is the best of what we have got, how could we possibly compare videogames to books? Artists have developed novels for hundreds of years.
 
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Generic-Giant-Spider

Guest
Look you might think I'm fucked but I truly believe that Game of Thrones game from 2012 (NOT that shitty Telltale one, avoid that) actually had a pretty cool story.
 

Pizzashoes

Scholar
Joined
Oct 31, 2017
Messages
444
Here is the IGN video review for those who think the game sounds interesting.
 

vazha

Arcane
Joined
Aug 24, 2013
Messages
2,063
If you don't mind shitty diablo combat and lack of C&C Siege of Avalon has a very nice story/setting/atmosphere.


Older game but runs fine on windows 7 for me.
Have to second this. Amazing atmosphere & Art design. Those chardolls!
 

ERYFKRAD

Barbarian
Patron
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Messages
28,242
Strap Yourselves In Serpent in the Staglands Shadorwun: Hong Kong Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag. Pathfinder: Wrath I'm very into cock and ball torture I helped put crap in Monomyth
IGN video review
tumblr_m99c8pVhtA1reb1c2o1_400.jpg
 

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