Been here, done this.(storylines)

[Indigo]

So... repetitive storyline formulas get on my nerves some times. The ones I hate the most are the "war between two empires, main character stuck in between" type.

What makes you hate a storyline?

[King Zeal]

There's no single thing I can pinpoint. I tend to take exception with any plot where the subject matter is taken too seriously and/or the character sseem to ignore the more awkward and/or ridiculous aspects of it.

Case in point: Xenosaga. No matter how serious that game tried to be, I could not get past the fact that, in the far far future, the best "secret weapon" that could be developed is a really hot robot chick in stilettos. Also, the game insisted on bring up metaphysical crap that was, I guess, supposed to make me reflect on my existence as a human being. No thank you.

[Indigo]

I didn't get the Xenosaga storyline at all, I mean all I had was the special DVD thing for the first game and tried playing the sequel. To me it was too much storyline for one game.

[moogle]

So... repetitive storyline formulas get on my nerves some times. The ones I hate the most are the "war against two empires, main character stuck in between" type.
I hate that too, but you have to admit, Final Fantasy Tactics pulled it off perfectly.

[Phakiel]

I hate every game that starts with the main character happy in his town and then he goes fishing with his best friend who may or may not be a girl, but often is, when they go back, everything has gone to shit, the girl?s father is dead and the hero is somehow to blame so he heads off and eventually gets involved and its the main instrument to save the world from an evil spawn of a supernatural force.

[Indigo]

Ha, Funny that I'm playing a game just like that right now. I remember it was very predictable when it happened.

Another clich? I see a lot is main character wants revenge on something or someone, I guess there are way too many games with that as part of the main plot so I can't really say I hate it, I just hate it that it's used so much.

[Priest4hire]

I tend to agree with Voltaire when he said "All styles are good except the boring." I can handle a cliche story if it's well told. Or if other aspects make up for it.

However, consider this quote about how early pulp Sci-Fi was steeped in the idea "that one young man, no, one adolescent--one overgrown boy--can somehow dominate everybody, and make the world safe for American white middle-class democracy; in which he will naturally enough be spontaneously chosen as the leader." Tweak that a bit for the peculiarities of JRPGs (and anime for that matter) and I think it pegs way too many games.

[Indigo]

I tend to agree with Voltaire when he said "All styles are good except the boring." I can handle a cliche story if it's well told. Or if other aspects make up for it.

However, consider this quote about how early pulp Sci-Fi was steeped in the idea "that one young man, no, one adolescent--one overgrown boy--can somehow dominate everybody, and make the world safe for American white middle-class democracy; in which he will naturally enough be spontaneously chosen as the leader." Tweak that a bit for the peculiarities of JRPGs (and anime for that matter) and I think it pegs way too many games.


Well you have to understand that teenagers are the target audience for such games in most cases. What better way to relate to a target audience then make the main character a teenager.

[Priest4hire]

That's an excuse. For one thing, hasn't at least some of the audience grown older? If you were 13 when FFVII came out you'd be 23 going on 24 by now. Besides, pandering to adolescent power fantasies isn't what allowed American Sci-Fi to enter the golden age. It was what made the genre so disreputable that Isaac Asimov wasn't allowed to read it as a boy.

Actually, I've just recently been playing Blue Dragon and talk about playing into that formula. Just consider who, at the beginning of the game, is bold and taking the initiative and who is cowering in fear. That says it all right there.

[Atlas]

I'm definitely tired of the medievil theme and story lines about girl meets boy.

[Indigo]

That's an excuse. For one thing, hasn't at least some of the audience grown older? If you were 13 when FFVII came out you'd be 23 going on 24 by now. Besides, pandering to adolescent power fantasies isn't what allowed American Sci-Fi to enter the golden age. It was what made the genre so disreputable that Isaac Asimov wasn't allowed to read it as a boy.



The predominant age group for video games in general will always be teenagers, and if companies want to make money that's what they usually go for. However I do think there should be more mature RPGs.

[Priest4hire]

And yet the average age of a gamer is 33. Still, it's an excuse even if the average RPGer is a teenager. It's not just the age either. I mean, Lord of the Flies features younger characters and is certainly mature. Also, does this sound familiar: One character is strong and fit; the other intelligent and learned. By themselves they each would be lacking but together they make a whole heroic unit.

I'm definitely tired of the medievil theme and story lines about girl meets boy.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a medieval RPG that was actually medieval? Still, I agree. We need less boy meets girl and more boy meets 9 foot sapient insect that wishes to inject him with her eggs. There just isn't enough of that in modern RPGs.

[Indigo]

And yet the average age of a gamer is 33. Still, it's an excuse even if the average RPGer is a teenager. It's not just the age either. I mean, Lord of the Flies features younger characters and is certainly mature. Also, does this sound familiar: One character is strong and fit; the other intelligent and learned. By themselves they each would be lacking but together they make a whole heroic unit.



Wouldn't it be nice to have a medieval RPG that was actually medieval? Still, I agree. We need less boy meets girl and more boy meets 9 foot sapient insect that wishes to inject him with her eggs. There just isn't enough of that in modern RPGs.


OMG I love Lord of the flies. And I agree that RPGs should really be more mature. I must say it get disturbing when a 20 year old character acts like he's 10 *looks at Tidus*, this is one thing I like about Atlus RPGs, they take in consideration the more mature audience.

And medieval sucks, leave that to the ub er nerds who are obssessed with games like Oblivion, Fable and such. But I also hate it that we have so many futuristic stuff(which seems to be the most popular scene right now). I want to see some more games in the Shadow Hearts period, or even better, why not base it on the current time?

[Priest4hire]

Those games aren't medieval. I mean, they are to the actual medieval period what 'maple flavoured' pole syrup is to actual maple syrup.

[1MoreHero]

I want to say that there needs to be more RPGs thrown into a modern 'today' setting. But I'm not sure if that's been done yet. If it has, I need to get off my old RPGs (I'm looking at you, FF:Tactics!).

A love story is fine, I guess. But idealistically it shouldn't happen as fast as 'boy meets girl.' I mean, I haven't seen an RPG in a while that just HAS the protagonist KNOW the girl he's hitting up prior to the storyline.

[Atlas]

I want to say that there needs to be more RPGs thrown into a modern 'today' setting. But I'm not sure if that's been done yet. .

Magi Nation tried that. It sucked. They just sent him to a weird world thus negating the whole point.

[1MoreHero]

Magi Nation tried that. It sucked. They just sent him to a weird world thus negating the whole point.

Lol. That sounds kinda silly.

[vanishdoomdylan]

Both Persona 3 and TWEWY have been excellent recent examples of RPG storytelling. You guys need to check those games out.

[vanishdoomdylan]

Eh, the whole point of video games to is play as someone who you can't be.

Who wants to play as some lame shlub?

[Phakiel]

The persona games take place in modern times but yes, we do need more of those games. I am tired of the Midieval or Fantasy rpg, I think thats why I liked P2 and P3 so much. And because they were awesome games. P2's story doesnt make one lick of goddamn honest sense but at least its not boring.

[Indigo]

I want to say that there needs to be more RPGs thrown into a modern 'today' setting. But I'm not sure if that's been done yet. If it has, I need to get off my old RPGs (I'm looking at you, FF:Tactics!).

A love story is fine, I guess. But idealistically it shouldn't happen as fast as 'boy meets girl.' I mean, I haven't seen an RPG in a while that just HAS the protagonist KNOW the girl he's hitting up prior to the storyline.


Yeah there are a few modern day RPGs but not too many, they are actually more popular now.

Rinoa knew squall before and vice versa, but they forgot about each other. Actually FFVIII is probably the best romance story I've seen in an RPG.

Eh, the whole point of video games to is play as someone who you can't be.

Who wants to play as some lame shlub?

What about silent protagonists? I thought you were meant to relate to the character.

[Phakiel]

Rinoa knew squall before and vice versa, but they forgot about each other. Actually FFVIII is probably the best romance story I've seen in an RPG.


Actually, i think FFX's love story was better executed. Squall and Rinoa had that destined to be together and Squal being a jerk thing going on and you felt it was forced whereas in FFX you could actually see Yuna and Tidus fall in love. That scene in the forest with the little lake, forgot the place's name, was probably one of the top romantic scenes to ever be on an rpg, matter of fact, it just might be THE most romantic scene.

Now I pretty much hated all FFX's characters, but for what it was worth, the development of the Yuna/Tidus relationship was executed quite well.

If people want to keep pushing romantic storylines in rpgs, they should pay attention to FFX. When you reach the end, you are crying and saying "Son of a ****ing bitch, that just aint fair". I know I did.

[Indigo]

Well in FFVIII you could actually see the relationship between both in a more realistic pace while in FFX it's like Yuna was up for it just as soon as she saw Tidus and Vice versa. And in VIII there also was Quistis, a third person to the party which made things a little more interesting.

[Phakiel]

Well in FFVIII you could actually see the relationship between both in a more realistic pace while in FFX it's like Yuna was up for it just as soon as she saw Tidus and Vice versa. And in VIII there also was Quistis, a third person to the party which made things a little more interesting.

Quistis could have used more development. Her attraction towards Squall was a bit shelved and all. And if you have ever run into a girl you are attracted to and as you get to know her better just a little bit you fall for her completely, you know that it is how it was in X. It didt feel wooden or forced.

On the other hand in VIII, it got to a point where I just didnt care anymore. But then again the same thing can be said about the storyline in its entirety.

[Indigo]

Oh come on. It was a very original storyline. People don't give it enough credit.

[vanishdoomdylan]

What about silent protagonists? I thought you were meant to relate to the character.

Relating is not being able to be the hero. Plus, I think the time of silent protagonists is past. They are just too dry and uninteresting.

[Indigo]

OMG LINK BLOCK YOUR EARS NAO!!

[Phakiel]

Oh come on. It was a very original storyline. People don't give it enough credit.

It was but around 3/4 into it, they just like, quit or something.

It lead up to a point where you went "Uh? No way, for real, you gotta be kidding me".

VIII is, and forever will be my favourite Final Fantasy but they totally dropped the ball in characters and story.

[Indigo]

Wait, it's your favorite? I thought I was alone. High-five!

[Phakiel]

Phone Five!

[Atlas]

I want to play as someone who doesn't have his shit together and has to get his shit together in order to not only save the world, but become a better person. Most JRPGs are 13 year olds with belts and zippers out hitting jellies with asinine weapons like guitars or soup ladles. Give me a more "adult" RPG without the blatant tits, cussing, and blood that game companies think make a game "mature." Give me someone people in their twenties can relate to.

Even though Tidus was kind of a douche, at least his story was a bit more realistic(well, sort of), and he actually had to learn to use weapons. That aspect I can respect more.