I wasn’t aware of this, what games are you referring to?
FF7 remake def feels like this to me. Short play, huge cut scene. Repeat.
Movies aren’t interactive.
These days? Remember Dragon’s Lair?
Do people want it? Or does the gaming industry believes that people want it?
I’ll give you an example: Minecraft. It has no story whatsoever, unless you count as “story” those lame excuses for lore (like the ender dragon). And yet it’s the best-selling video game ever.
Same deal with Pokémon main series games. The series started out strongly gameplay-driven, to become gradually strongly story-driven. Guess which are the best selling gens? Gen 1 (Red/Blue/Green/Yellow) and Gen 2 (Gold/Silver/Crystal), that are far less story-driven than the rest! (And if you look at player ranks, Heart Gold and Soul Silver are often near the top. Gen 2 gameplay and story, Gen 4 visuals.)
So… really, I don’t think that people want gameplay-less games. It’s just that the industry is shoving it down their throats nonstop. And the ones who do want a story will look for it elsewhere - like visual novels, movies (as you said) or the good old books.
Do people want it? Or does the gaming industry believes that people want it?
Seeing as how those types of games are some of the most hyped and sell the most copies: people want them.
While simultaneously, games that actually have compelling gameplay with next to no story also sell like crazy when people realize they do want that too. But they’re not generally hyped up before they come out, nor do I see a lot of people asking for those types of games very often whenever the question of “what kind of game do you want” comes up.
Both.
Games that are usually criticized by this, also tend to be games that sell really well. Think Sony exclusives like Uncharted, TLoU, etc.
Some of the most beloved games by the communities are also story heavy, like Bioshock, Mass Effect, System Shock, etc. These games I mentioned have passable gameplay even when they were released, case in point, whenever you talk with someone about these games, they won’t talk about the gameplay, they will talk about the twists, the characters, etc.
Then there are games that are the antithesis to this post: interactive movies and visual novels. Quantic Dream’s games (detroit become human, heavy rain, etc) despite all their faults, sold well. Telltalle’s put their foot in the industry with the first season of The Walking Dead, and they would still be in business today if it wasn’t for their one trick pony game design and biting more than they could chew. Visual novels tend to be in the grey area and some people argue they aren’t games at all, but some do feature gameplay, and people don’t play those for the gameplay I can promise you that.
I do share the opinion that many publishers & studios in the gaming industry have the wrong idea that they need to be like the movie industry and have cinematic games. They don’t. But the demand for those types of games exist too
Different kinds of games fulfill different interests. Minecraft and Detroit: Become Human were two of the best gaming experiences I’ve ever had. One has absolutely no story, one has essentially only story and is basically a long, glorified QTE.
I love both for different reasons. I love stories in general, so a game with a good story is going to hook me and I will play until I know how it ends. God of War and God of War: Ragnarok both had absolutely stellar gameplay, but the story is why I couldn’t put it down. I just beat the original Alan Wake recently, and that story would have made for a fine movie or TV show, but there’s a certain depth and intensity you get from a game as you are personally engaged in clawing through the poltergeist-infested wilderness for dear life, wondering how you’ll make it out of this crazy situation. I’m really glad I got to experience that story as a game.
On the other hand, I also love sandboxy games like Satisfactory or Necesse that let you loose to express yourself, accomplish goals on your own terms, and basically do whatever you want. I spend a ton of time in games like that, too.
Sometimes I want to care about and connect with characters, other times I just want to build or break shit. Regardless, video games offer an excellent, interactive medium to take an active role in a predetermined story or develop your own narrative as you go.
I think I disagree that all games have a story because there are a lot of games that are closer to sports than interactive stories. Mostly multiplayer games like fps’s and rocket League, but also a lot of single player driving games like mudrunner or any of the rally games.
Most analogue games fall in the sports category too imo. There’s no story to poker, and you really shouldn’t overthink the lore of chess.
I love games that are story driven. Although if it does not have adequate interactivity, like meaningful choices and actions, then I would rather have it as a movie.
Basically Playstation exclusives. They are heavily marketed and hyped up, they make good stories, but there isnt any gameplay other than walking through some foliage ridden areas (foliage spam is the ‘game looks good’ tactic) and maybe the odd enemy to shoot.
I agree they would be better suited as tv shows/movies than games.
I can go at my own pace with a game. I pause the story and the rest of the world is still there to interact with.
Almost everything in this world stresses me out.
I want to feel involved in something while going at my own pace. Video games give me to power to finally be in control. That’s why I like them so much. Movies force you along.
The older I get the less I care about endless gameplay loops and carrot on a stick mechanics. A good story keeps me invested and caring about what happens on the screen. Games like God of War, Last of us, Witcher are gold standards when it comes to this. They are not movies on rails, they are engaging and interactive experiences like you can’t find anywhere else and for this I will always love these types of games more than any other medium.
I feel like your examples aren’t quite what OP was referring to. Those games have pretty great gameplay
According to OP, those are exactly the games they referred to. Which does beg more questions
OK OP is a weirdo, my bad
I occasionally enjoy them when I’m between games, and I know I will not have the time or energy to start a new, more involved game.
I see these kind of games as a different medium to tell a story and, if done well, the controls can be a part of the storytelling. The Last of Us is a great example of using controls for this.
As to why not whatch a movie? I cannot sit in front of a screen passively anymore. If I’m with my partner, we can sit together and watch something, otherwise, I want to interact with the screen, even if it’s only by walking.
A Way Out is a perfect example of this, it’s literally a co-op netflix show you have 0 control over except a choice between two endings (which of you wins a gunfight at the end)
Just watch the Let’s Play if you want the movie 😀
In a game, you’re the protagonist. In a movie, someone else is. Two different experiences.
Don’t worry OP. My observation of people who eventually stopped playing those games and instead just watch the story on YouTube validates your experience. Some games are worth less than their let’s plays.
