A question of character
There have been many times that I have watched the same movie or season of a TV show, just because I loved the characters & wanted to re-live the emotional drama that unfolds. Examples I could cite are the original Star Wars movies & David Lynch’s Twin Peaks but there are many others.
This lead me into thinking - do I replay any of my videogames just to get my fix of a character that I have grown to enjoy?
So while I consider my thoughts & answer my own question, I’d like to know if there’s a videogame you go back to, just because of the character(s)?
DM∞
[...] have been pleasently surprised on how much I have enjoyed GTA IV. Not sure if Niko will fall into the category of characters that I’d go back to a videogame for but that is something to possibly discuss in a different [...]
Game diary - welcome to last week « Construed
March 15, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Beyond Good and Evil is at the top of this list, and I’ve been thinking of going back to The Longest Journey and GTA San Adreas as well.
Surprisingly enough, TF2 is actually one as well. Every time I watch one of the “Meet The” videos, I have a huge craving to play that game.
Mike Darga
March 17, 2009 at 3:08 am
Mike – are these planned returns because of the character or the character of the games settings?
dmosbon
March 17, 2009 at 3:59 pm
It actually is the characters, although I can see how you’d be surprised.
Peyj, Jade, CJ, and April Ryan are all characters that I like a lot for various reasons.
TF2 may be a bit of a stretch, but those characters delight me, even when they’re just running around and shouting little quips.
Mike Darga
March 17, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I haven’t looked at TF2 but CJ was an interesting in the fact you could let his weight ballon from over-eating or change hairstyles/get tattoos in San Andreas. As I have said before, I’ve never completed a GTA game before so after GTA IV going back to San Andreas would probably be interesting to see. I know it’s avaliable via XBL, so maybe just maybe.
dmosbon
March 17, 2009 at 7:44 pm
The only character in San Andreas who was memorable for me is the crazy latino girlfriend. That chick was hilarious.
Bungie did a good job making the Master Chief – Cortana relationship essential in all three games. Since Cortana is a virtual personality (AI), it makes that relationship more interesting.
Overall, though, game plots rarely focus on characters. They tend to focus on events and organizations.
Look at Assassin’s Creed, for example. Even though the story does include character development, the focus is on the conspiracy Altair is involved in. Bioshock is a more personality-driven game. The plot derives from personalities like Dr Ryan and Dr Tennenbaum. The personalities are more memorable than the events.
Aaron
March 17, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Kinda strange don’t you think, that game devs concentrate game plot more centric on events than characters?
Maybe titles like Heavy Rain will change the way devs view game worlds, as I think there’s a place in the industry for games that aren’t just action playgrounds?
dmosbon
March 17, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I think it’s a bit of a Rorschach test actually. If you can get someone to tell you what they love about their favorite games, it’ll tell you what kind of designer they are.
I’d make a horrible content designer, because I care about gameplay to the exclusion of all else. If a game has a great story but bad game mechanics, I’ll never stick around long enough to find out. My best friend is exactly the inverse.
Mike Darga
March 18, 2009 at 7:34 am