Why have I read that a lot of people loved Far Cry 3's story?

Topic title. I have read a lot of user reviews saying that the story for Far Cry 3 is "great" and "unpredictable." Can I just say that there was nothing unpredictable about it, aside from maybe the trippier sequences? And the characters were utterly awful. None of them were developed enough, not even Vaas. It felt like there was a ton of potential that the writers totall squandered by not giving us anything to think about.

That said, I still love the game. Can anyone explain his? Are the standards for storytelling in gaming really that low?

Yes. They really are that low.

Writing in games still has a long way to go. It's getting better, for sure. But, based on everything I've heard about Far Cry 3's story, I don't think it could stand as some gold-standard.

Yes. They really are that low.

Writing in games still has a long way to go. It's getting better, for sure. But, based on everything I've heard about Far Cry 3's story, I don't think it could stand as some gold-standard.

c_rake

The reason I'm surprised is that there are tons of games with better stories.. The story has about as much depth as a kiddie pool. That's half full.

Yes. They really are that low.

Writing in games still has a long way to go. It's getting better, for sure. But, based on everything I've heard about Far Cry 3's story, I don't think it could stand as some gold-standard.

c_rake

Still I was alittle dissapointed with the story and the ending but it was the concept of a weak character turning into a killer and being desensitized that was praised, it tried to tackle the narrative disconnect that alot of action games suffer. Like Max Payne 3, great game, great story but some thought the depressed, trouble, protagonist didn't fit in with the bang bang nature of the game. Also for Far Cry 3 the comparisons to Apocalypse Now is very similar, it was great film with a great premise but it did have a simple plot when you think about it but it was the experience that made it memorable, same with Far Cry.

I wrote more than I was anticipating too.

I didn't like the story at all. It felt like I'm watching some really bad reality show with an MTV cast... (the characters).

[QUOTE="c_rake"]

Yes. They really are that low.

Writing in games still has a long way to go. It's getting better, for sure. But, based on everything I've heard about Far Cry 3's story, I don't think it could stand as some gold-standard.

shadowkiller11

Still I was alittle dissapointed with the story and the ending but it was the concept of a weak character turning into a killer and being desensitized that was praised, it tried to tackle the narrative disconnect that alot of action games suffer. Like Max Payne 3, great game, great story but some thought the depressed, trouble, protagonist didn't fit in with the bang bang nature of the game. Also for Far Cry 3 the comparisons to Apocalypse Now is very similar, it was great film with a great premise but it did have a simple plot when you think about it but it was the experience that made it memorable, same with Far Cry.

I wrote more than I was anticipating too.

The problem with the "wealking becoming a warrior" thing was that in the game it was immediate. One second, Jason is b!tching to the tribal dude with glasses that he's never shot anyone before and the next he's impaling a pirate's neck with a machete and his squeamishness is never mentioned again.

Yes. They really are that low.

Writing in games still has a long way to go. It's getting better, for sure. But, based on everything I've heard about Far Cry 3's story, I don't think it could stand as some gold-standard.

c_rake

I didn't like the story at all. It felt like I'm watching some really bad reality show with an MTV cast... (the characters).

Amster_G

[QUOTE="Amster_G"]

I didn't like the story at all. It felt like I'm watching some really bad reality show with an MTV cast... (the characters).

Elann2008

[QUOTE="Elann2008"][QUOTE="Amster_G"]

I didn't like the story at all. It felt like I'm watching some really bad reality show with an MTV cast... (the characters).

Lulekani

The "bad" ending is probably the most retarded conclusion I've seen in a video game. The game is fantastic but the story is nothing special.

Stories usualy fall apart when its time to let the player have some playtime. Which is why games with little player interaction always get the awards. Interaction is the enemy.Lulekani

Eh. Stories can still work with plenty of player interaction. It's just dependant upon the story being good enough to work alongside the gameplay.

[QUOTE="Lulekani"]Stories usualy fall apart when its time to let the player have some playtime. Which is why games with little player interaction always get the awards. Interaction is the enemy.c_rake

Eh. Stories can still work with plenty of player interaction. It's just dependant upon the story being good enough to work alongside the gameplay.

Still, keep in mind that FaCry is not a game you play for the plot: it's 100% about the gameplay.Black_Knight_00

This. The story flat-out sucked. The gameplay, on the other hand, was awesome. 

Compared to Far Cry 2 the story is a strength, at least so far as something being there, compared to other games though the story is rather week. Vaas was the only interesting character until half way through the game, then nothing else came along to fill the gap he left.lamprey263

After introducting him, the ways you meet him was bad.

It doesn't help that the characters in that game are arrogant, spoiled, rich, entitled dude bros either. Worst cast of characters in a game in a long time, very unlikeable people.GodModeEnabled

It made me wonder if these characters as you accurately described them were the target demographic for the game sales or something. I mean, I much prefer the blank slate character(s) of Far Cry 2 as opposed to being forced to play as some soulless d-bag I can't empathize with. I can't understand why the devs would make the main character such a knob. I haven't finished the game but it wouldn't surprise me if there is some equally ham-handed attempt at 'redemption' later on in the story. While I appreciate that there was an (as marketed) attempt to create a compelling story, all believeabilty evaporated as soon as the frat boy got a gun in his hands and turned into a remorseless murder machine. Well, that and the magic tattoos didn't help either. 

Yeah the characters and story were pretty terrible, but everything else about the game was great. I guess the genre just has incredibly low standards for such things, and then you'll find people that like everything no matter how bad.

I really enjoyed Far Cry 3. If you didn't then fine, to each their own. If you want a great story and character driven game try The Walking Dead. It's great.Rattlesnake_8

Thanks for taking time for sharing this it was excellent and very informative for me :)

I'm loving far cry 3

[QUOTE="lamprey263"]Compared to Far Cry 2 the story is a strength, at least so far as something being there, compared to other games though the story is rather week. Vaas was the only interesting character until half way through the game, then nothing else came along to fill the gap he left.wiouds

After introducting him, the ways you meet him was bad.

I dunno...how's HE a great character? The three times or so I've encountered him he told me EVERY time if I know what the definition of insanity is and tried to kill me and that he isn't insane.

Yeah, great character.....Batman's Joker did that kind of stuff before and way better.

Justforvisit

Vaas doesn't discuss insanity until the third time you've met him. He also doesn't bring it up the fourth time, which is also the final time, so I have no idea what you're talking about.

I really enjoyed Far Cry 3. If you didn't then fine, to each their own. If you want a great story and character driven game try The Walking Dead. It's great.Rattlesnake_8

Did you actually read my OP?

Compared to Far Cry 2 the story is a strength, at least so far as something being there, compared to other games though the story is rather week. Vaas was the only interesting character until half way through the game, then nothing else came along to fill the gap he left.lamprey263

Vaas was really only interesting because his voice acting and motion capture was really well done. The actor was too good for the character, because the game did almost nothing with him. You only see him a few times for a few minutes and that's it.

[QUOTE="wiouds"]

[QUOTE="lamprey263"]Compared to Far Cry 2 the story is a strength, at least so far as something being there, compared to other games though the story is rather week. Vaas was the only interesting character until half way through the game, then nothing else came along to fill the gap he left.Justforvisit

After introducting him, the ways you meet him was bad.

He capture you and then just ramble about meanless things. Then drop you off to a place to die.  Then repeat next time. I can handle a large number of characters that many just constently comment about their hate. He is one of the rare character that when I see him on screen I just cover my face and moan. There is nothing that is good about him.

When I see him, I keep thinking of Dr. Evil but instead of telling his plans he talks about his dry clearing.

Your opinion, simple as that.

The story was interesting up until they killed Vaas off, because the main villain after him was nothing special and the story fell into a rather predictable rut of tribal cliches.

Your opinion, simple as that.

The story was interesting up until they killed Vaas off, because the main villain after him was nothing special and the story fell into a rather predictable rut of tribal cliches.

Venom_Raptor

The entire game was loaded with tribal cliches...