In the very exciting world of games, the allure of immersive storytelling has captivated players since the very beginning of time. Game designers understand the power of narratives to evoke emotions, engage their players, and elevate the overall gaming experience. Compelling storytelling in games can transport players to beautifully crafted worlds, offering a sense of agency and emotional engagement that makes for a very memorable gameplay experience. Let's explore the significance of storytelling in game design and analyze how it enhances the player's experience through some of my favourites.
A well-crafted story has the power to resonate with players on an emotional level. When players connect with characters and the game's world, they become more invested in the outcome. When players become emotionally invested, they would want to see the journey through and discover what happens if they keep playing. This is the same regardless of whatever genre of game you are playing, whether it's a video game, or a tabletop board game, storytelling is a very important part of the gameplay experience for a player.
It doesn't mean that it has to be a complicated or long-winded story, but it has to be engaging to the player. Playing games offer a chance for players to escape into a fantasy world and experience something different from their daily life.
Here are some games that I think have very good storytelling.
NieR: Automata
An action role-playing game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is on the brink of extinction, and alien machines have taken over the Earth. The story is deep and philosophical, exploring themes of humanity, consciousness, and existentialism.
This game, is hands down my favorite in terms of storytelling for games. It isn't the gameplay that makes Nier: Automata so great for me but the story that it tells. It dropped my jaws multiple times with it's exciting story revelations, making me play the game over and over again to experience more and more of the story, uncovering parts of the story each time I do.
Persona 4
A role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus. Set in the rural town of Inaba, Persona 4 follows a high school student who moves there from the city and stays with his uncle and little cousin. However, a series of mysterious murders begins to occur, and the protagonist and his friends discover a strange connection between the murders and a parallel world called the TV World. This leads them to awaken their "Persona," a manifestation of their inner selves, which grants them the power to combat the shadows in the TV World.
So, I've played Persona 3, 4 and 5. And my top choice from these 3 in terms of storytelling is Persona 4. Persona games has always been about the relationship you have with your companions, and with Persona 4, I find the characters very likable and genuine. At the end of the game, it really feels like a memory and your journey with your unexpecting close friends have come to an end of a chapter.
Hades An action-packed roguelike video game by Supergiant Games, where players follow Zagreus, Hades' son, on a quest to escape the underworld and reach Mount Olympus.
There are so many likable characters in this game, I find myself listening to every dialogue and not skipping them. The character develops in a very relatable way as the story progresses making it really difficult to put down even after playing for hours.
In conclusion, storytelling is an integral aspect of game design that elevates the player's experience and emotional connection to the game world. By creating compelling narratives, game designers can immerse players in richly crafted worlds, evoke powerful emotions, and offer a sense of agency that keeps players engaged and invested in the game.
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Meowchelin Stars, which is a tabletop card game that I am creating now, started with the narrative and storytelling at the forefront of the game's design. At first it was simple, it was about preparing the most delicious cat food, and have these gourmet cats judge your food. Eventually after trying the game out and sharing it with some of my close friends and family, the story evolved. Meowchelin Stars is about a culinary competition, where you and the other players are the boss of your own kitty restaurant and you hire professional meow chefs to help you in your kitchen. So you and your friends will be competing in the hiring process of these professional chefs as well as buying the dishes for your Meowchelin Star restaurant.
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