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Posted By TheGameheroes about 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Handsome Tom and Birdman have an argument on what makes an FPS? Does the narrative or the multi player make one? Call now and let us know what you think 817-717-7202. Audio only HERE!
Posted By TheGameheroes about 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Handsome Tom and Birdman have an argument on what makes an FPS? Does the narrative or the multi player make one? Call now and let us know what you think 817-717-7202. Audio only HERE!
One of the coolest bars in gaming also happens to be one of the most interesting.
Okay, I know this has nothing to do with the discussion, but since they asked, let me say first that as a Pegasister there are always going to be those extreme fans that get really passionate about their franchises, not all MLP:FiM fans are like that. I think if you want the best explanation as to why so many people like the G4 (4th Gen) of My Little Pony, I suggest you watch CR’s MLP Retrospective. You don’t have to watch Part 1 since Part 2 is dedicated to Friendship is Magic, but it’s nice to see the evolution of My Little Pony from the first generation most adults remember, to how they are now with the fourth generation.
I guess in simplest terms, if you go solely on the thought that My Little Pony (at least the G4 ponies) are for little girls, then you’re definitely not in the right state of mind about the show. Saying G4 MLP is for little girls, to me, is like saying the muppets are little kids. They’re not as people of all ages enjoy them. What I mean by this is Friendship is Magic is one of those rare children shows that don’t treat their target audience like idiots. They don’t pander to the lowest common denominator, their jokes are genuinely funny and well-thought out, and sure they use some typical morality ending like reading a book isn’t just for smart people or if you try to take on more responsibility than you can handle, you probably will become overwhelmed but they don’t feel forced. And yes, they do have parts where they break into song but it flows naturally with the episode and the songs are actual catchy and enjoyable but not overly sweet. The writing is topnotch, especially in Season One, as it is the brain child of Lauren Faust who was a writer on The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. The stories are entertaining and the characters are engaging enough to where you actually start to care about them.
Of course they do have plenty 4th wall breaking jokes and references for adults, but they are subtle enough to where you don’t feel like they’re bashing you over the head with it. Like in the episode “The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well” when they reference the 90s Batman Cartoon or in the episode “Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000″ when they have an entire song that parodies the song “Ya Got Trouble” from The Music Man (1962) or as some people better know it as, “The Monorail Song” from The Simpsons episode “Marge vs The Monorail”.
My rambling aside, I hope that helps explain the whole “My Little Pony thing” which I hope one of you reads. I would call-in, but it’s 12:52AM where I am.
On one hand, I can see where Tom is coming from, that he feels that a good FPS doesn’t really need a story.
Nevertheless, my favorite FPS’s are those that do have decent stories behind them. Particularly the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight games. Of course, the original DF game had only a somewhat decent story – more than anything else it really was basically Doom but with Stormtroopers. But JK1 and JK2 were both awesome – not only did they have decent gameplay, but the stories really did a great deal to draw you in.
Here’s a question: which worked better, JK1′s FMV cutscenes, or JK2′s graphically rendered cutscenes?
Taking a lot of the things that were said, I honestly believe that a good game provides you first and foremost with an experience. However, a good story can go a very long way in drawing you into that experience. So if game designers can tap into good writing talent and present us with decent stories to go with our gameplay – and incorporate that without pulling us out of the experience – then it is an enhancement.
However, story isn’t everything. In the end, what really matters with any game is the gameplay experience. This is a debate I often find particularly with JRPG fans: I maintain that, even if the story is deep and engaging, if the gameplay sucks, then the game sucks, period.
Admittedly, Skyrim’s stories – and yes, I do believe it is more appropriate to use the plural, just by the way the game is designed – aren’t really all that great. There are some epic moments, but let’s face it: if we were to convert the story of the Dovahkiin into a movie, it could be over in about an hour, 90 minutes at most. What makes Skyrim work, though, is its atmosphere and immersive experience.