That’s troubling. I’ve been playing the shit out of both GTA V and RDR 2 because they have the two best campaigns I’ve ever played. Especially RDR2. It was unique in its trajectory, in its beats…I really hope the follow ups, (however many years down the road those might be) won’t be affected too much by this. The writing made those games what they are.
I haven’t played baldurs gate, but I’ve been seeing a lot about it, mostly positive. Interesting, the news about that company. Being successful doesn’t usually call for a massive shakeup. But that’s capitalism for you. Fuck the workers, squeeze more out of those you keep. Classic.
RDR2 straight up fucked me up. I’ve never had such an emotional response to a game as that one.
And (maybe foolishly), I didn’t expect it. I walked right into the end of that storyline and got my ass handed to me.
Same here. The bit at the end where (spoilers) Arthur puts his hat on John had me hand-over-my-mouth-ugly-crying. (/spoilers)
I didn’t think any game could be good enough to swing with RDR1 (not even the sequel, at first) but holy moly did RDR2 step up and do just that.
When you walk into the drunk guys home for his money and kill him, but his son goes “pa, pa, pa…” I know it’s a video game, but I wasn’t expecting that. It was one of those moments where i can never forget. I felt like I actually hurt a person in my mind and kept thinking about it, still do. Absolutely the best game that brings you into the fold as a player.
Speculating but they’ve probably already wrapped up all the writing for GTA VI and planned to move on after that. Imagine with Houser leaving we’ll see a few more vets as they finish up their roles for VI.
GTA V? Really? I absolutely hated the story in that, and I hated the characters. Here are some of my issues with it:
Trevor:
- interesting epilogue, but otherwise pretty much no character arc
- really wanted to see him try to take on the Los Santos gangs (DLC!)
Franklin:
- largely just does whatever Michael says
- wanted to start a dealership, but he kinda gives up once he makes it big (DLC!)
Michael:
- arc was okay, but he didn’t seem like a good fit for main character, especially when Franklin gets the ending
All in all, I felt like the three character perspective was largely a distraction from the lack of actual storytelling. SA and IV didn’t have that, so they actually had a meandering plot with some character development to round it all out.
I haven’t finished RDR2 (it’s so long!), but I really loved RDR and heard that story for RDR2 is even better.
What about Larian?
RDR2 is the only character driven AAA game I’ve ever seen. I don’t think another one even exists. It was a masterpiece of a story.
Are you joking and I just don’t get it? Lol
“Character driven” is a literary term. I can’t name any other character driven AAA games. I don’t think they exist. Every other game I’ve seen is “plot driven”. RDR2 had very little plot and it was all very much a side show. The main part of the story was the characters and how they changed over time.
MAY BE SPOILERS. Not sure how to tag it
Hmm. I’d say Witcher (I’ve only played witcher3) is one. If you miss up with a main characters responses (no spoilers), you change the plot. Another I think is fully dependent on the character, is Detroit become human. Difference is, it’s not one character.
They both have character development, but the plot is the main driver. That’s the opposite of RDR2 where the plot barely matters at all and it’s all about character development.
Okay, I see what you mean now. I didn’t think you meant in a literary sense. I thought you meant like, having a main character that has characterization and isn’t soley a player insert. You may be right in that regard then; I’m wracking my memory and can’t think of another one.
Maybe now they will move past milking GTA V?
So, I don’t really have high hopes for GTA VI and absolutely none for RDR3.
If you were okay with “man, after getting away from a life of crime, is immediately pulled back in by people who don’t have his best interests at heart and will use him to betray others before eventually getting betrayed themselves” for over two decades, I don’t think you need to worry. Took until RDR2 to break that mold.
