Posted by Xander Pakzad
Video games are getting more and more cinematic each year. Whether it’s longer cutscenes or narrative-based gameplay, games now have deep plotlines that rival Hollywood's best.
The Assassin’s Creed gameplay and setting are heavily influenced by its story. BioShock Infinite’s story was so well-received that many people criticized its gameplay for being incongruous with what's actually going on in the world. The same was said of The Last of Us,whose story is regarded as one of the best told in the medium.
But even great gameplay can get in the way of story for another reason: what if people don't play the games? The industry is so big that no one can keep up with everything coming out. Or if a gamer wants to jump into the middle of a series without having to play through the older titles. Or what about people who love storytelling but just don’t like playing games? Where do they turn?
YouTube, of course! Gamers like Andy Gilleand have compiled all the cut-scenes and plot-heavy moments of several modern classics into feature-length movies. Is this a new form of storytelling, or is it sacrificing the interactivity that makes games unique?
I personally think it depends on the title. Some really are not the same watched as they are experienced first-hand. But others fit so nicely in video form that there isn't much of a difference. Especially now that filmmakers are adapting so many games, this is the perfect way to show how that translation to the big screen can be made.
What do you think of these video game Cliff notes? Do they defeat the purpose of games? Is sitting back and watching a game inherently sacrilege? Or could this be a legitimate form of storytelling and bring games to a wider audience?
The Last of Us
Assassin’s Creed III
Tomb Raider (2013)
Uncharted
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ora Media, LLC, its affiliates, or its employees.
