the_shadow
Arcane
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2011
- Messages
- 1,179
Ever since completing Witcher 2, and being rather disappointed with it, I've managed to identify why playing that game is like pulling teeth. It's a common problem with a lot of cRpgs, and games in general. No, it's not skill trees, regenerating health, tumbling, or any of that stuff (which can be fine if implemented well). It's this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiejupbcF5A
*6 hours* of cutscenes. I've complained about games shitting you through the plot in the past, but Witcher 2 was more like shitting you from one cutscene to another. Games are becoming over-saturated with cutscenes. I'd argue that it detracts from the gameplay, but it's actually worse than that. It *removes* the gameplay element. You spend more time watching a episode of 'Game of Thrones' than actually playing a game.
Cutscenes should be used sparingly when other techniques can't be used to convey required plot information. They are OK when used as an introduction, and can be useful for tying up the end of a story. But shoving them into a game at every opportunity is just lazy and kills the fun. This is the cause of decline in video games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiejupbcF5A
*6 hours* of cutscenes. I've complained about games shitting you through the plot in the past, but Witcher 2 was more like shitting you from one cutscene to another. Games are becoming over-saturated with cutscenes. I'd argue that it detracts from the gameplay, but it's actually worse than that. It *removes* the gameplay element. You spend more time watching a episode of 'Game of Thrones' than actually playing a game.
Cutscenes should be used sparingly when other techniques can't be used to convey required plot information. They are OK when used as an introduction, and can be useful for tying up the end of a story. But shoving them into a game at every opportunity is just lazy and kills the fun. This is the cause of decline in video games.