Intelligent Video Games?

Question

So, I'm in college, and I can't help but feel that most video games being released today are overly-dependent on graphics and are severely lacking in terms of story-lines and game-play design.

Tales of Symphonia was lauded as a game that involves complex moral decisions and for it's wonderfully complex story-line, however, I found it to be that way for a pre-teen kid who has never faced a real moral decision before. This world is not black and white, but a million shades of grey, with complex interpersonal relationships and things you have to work for to accomplish, and I want to see that reflected in a game.

I don't really have a preference towards system or even year of release, I'm just tired of the endless "Open Door B, blow up everything inside, and proceed to Door C."

Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Final fantasies are usually great for storylines. Apart from that, titles with deep stories are few and far between. These days, companies just pump out games that are nice looking but lacking in depth.

Answer 2

Honestly, one of the best games as of recently that I've played which includes a couple of hard, thought out moral decisions is "Silent Hill : Homecoming". It is a survival horror genre and although there is a lot of combat, if you have actually played through any other games in the series, you'll know they're all morally deep and a bit sadistic but also deep. I've played the entire series all the way from the first Silent Hill, and besides 4 (which is an off-shoot with it's own story), they all intertwine, follow each-other yet involve different people. But they all have very moral decisions you must make. In the new one, which is the 5th one in the series (homecoming which I mentioned earlier), the decisions you make will change your ending, as in the other ones, but the new one hit home the most.

However, I wouldn't recommend them if you can't handle rather disturbing games. Because unlike games like Resident Evil, Silent Hill focuses on more disturbing and macabre things than a typical zombie shooter. For instance most of the monsters are extremely disturbing and horrifying, and some of the things that go on in the game really creep you out.

But with the story there is almost no comparison. The whole series is about moral decisions, and includes a lot of hot topics. It's all focused around a secret religious order in which people think they're doing good and kind of have this sense of "sacrificing one for the good of all". Playing through the entire series would be my suggestion, but even picking up the newest one won't leave you out of the dark for too long, since they describe things rather well. But make sure you pay attention to the storyline and never ignore cut-scenes or blow through dialogue, or else you don't get the full effect.

Not only that but all of the Silent Hill games have been graphically and playability wise good for their time. But yeah, just prepare to be disturbed, especially with the two major points in the new game where you must make a decision. I won't ruin the story but one involves ending suffering before death or being too moral to cause death yourself, but allowing pain to happen, and the other involving forgiveness for a lifetime of guilt.

Yeah, sorry I kept going on but I had to kind of describe it to give you the effect.

Answer 3

Story lines aye, well i admit. I am the kind of "open this door, blow everything up and proceed to the next thing pre-teen. No one creates masterpieces with nice graphics, good story line, and complex decisions anymore. That's where books come in, but then again, your not picking and actually making a decision, your obeying and watching in your mind. I'd say stick with the classics or play "Alone in the dark" or one of these new games that ACTUALLY... have story lines, good ones aswell.



If all fails i guess you could get into Role playing games, lots of self reliant nights in them games :)... but me, i don't want to get addicted to that crap. Thanks for reading what i had to say about Video games these days.

Answer 4

Warcraft 2 is a fantastic game. Has a great introduction video too!