How important is a storyline to a videogame?

I'm one of those crazy people who will take storylines over gameplay almost half the time. For me, without an interesting storyline, I tend to lose interest in the game over time. Of course, there are always exceptions, but not too many.

I find a good storyline very important, but gameplay is always the thing I care most about.

A great storyline is the key to a great game. If it has great gameplay and a god-awfull story than you'll get bored fast.

Depends on the game, I need a good story to enjoy an RPG (along with good gameplay) although not all RPGs are story oriented same goes for FPS. RTS well not really as long as its not a cheesy average war story Starcraft and Warcraft have pretty good stories though.

Storyline is something Nintendo needs to learn to put in their games.

I don't care if they have one or not, as long as they don't TRY to have one then I'm fine. Anyways, if I wanted a good storyline I would look elsewhere then looking for them in video games, they tend to have crap storylines.

I think the main problem with video game storytelling is developers need to find better ways to integrate it into gameplay. Most games dont bother with this at all and rely on scattered cut scenes which limit the amount of development you can do.

Storyline is something Nintendo needs to learn to put in their games.

zaku101

The most important part of the game.

Storyline is something Nintendo needs to learn to put in their games.

zaku101

Yes for RPG. That's like 80% of the purchase for me. You can give me an RPG with the coolest features, but if it doesn't interest me in any way, nothing is coming out of my wallet for it.

Maybe for FPS. I'm generally not too picky about FPS, but if there is a decent story, it's an added bonus and makes the game that much better. If it's virtually nonexistent, I won't get too worked up about it.

For RTS, it's a mixed bag. The RTSs that I have played, Starcraft and Warcraft have really good stories, if you'll pardon some cliches, but overall good storytelling. But when you get to something like COH, I admit, while I do love everything WW2, nothing has interested me about the single player campaign. I've had COH since I bought this computer, but I'm only 4 or 5 missions in on the original COH campaign. The Panzer Elite campaign looks kind of interesting, but since I'm going nowhere with the first one, it'll be a while 'til I touch OF campaigns. I play it pretty much solely for multiplayer.

all depends on the genre really. if its a fighting game, FPS, sports or racing game its not that important. if its an RPG or an action adventure game its very importantreaver-x

I just saw you!

Storyline is something Nintendo needs to learn to put in their games.

zaku101

Miyamoto is not a huge fan of detailed stories in his games. I watched a inverview years ago where one of the people was talking about he would go behind Miyamoto and add story to his games. If there is any weakness it's that Miyamoto can't see past gameplay.

very important, I didnt like the gameplay of final fantasy before till I force myself to play FFX, the story just kept me going and wouldnt stop playing it till the gameplay and leveling up got me hooked, now its one of my fav games of all time, but the gameplay has to be decent aswell thoughjohnlennon28

For RPG's, yes its the most important part of the game. But for stuff like FPS's, not so much.

I really like it when a game has a good story. Even a game is fun it's just not the same experience with a crappy story.

Story = Motivation

Depends how important the narrative is to the gameplay.

Hell look like exaples such as Left 4 Dead.

Without its procedurally generated narrative it would not be half the game it is.

Depends on what kind of game. For example, I'm not going to go play a platformer expecting an epic and deep storyline with interesting characters.

Depends on how important the devs choose to make it. It's like that. We are seeing a lot of hybrid genres these days. It's not as simple as saying RPG story is more important than an action games story. Many games now blend different elements from them all

More often than not, story can ruin a game. There are very few games that actually manage to have a strong storyline. The cult classic Beyond Good and Evil being one of them.

Gameplay is greater than all when it comes to gaming, but having a great story is a rare bonus.

Depends on the genre. If it's a shooter It doesn't really matter. Storyline is very important for RPG's.

A great storyline is the key to a great game. If it has great gameplay and a god-awfull story than you'll get bored fast.

rangegear

Depends on what kind of game. For example, I'm not going to go play a platformer expecting an epic and deep storyline with interesting characters.

SaintBlaze

[QUOTE="SaintBlaze"]

Depends on what kind of game. For example, I'm not going to go play a platformer expecting an epic and deep storyline with interesting characters.

jg4xchamp

Story is second only to gameplay for me. How do I know? I hated Turning Point: Fall of Liberty for its piss-poor gameplay, even though its premise was orgasmic (and wasted on such a lousy game). But other than gameplay, story takes top priority.

Story is second only to gameplay for me. How do I know? I hated Turning Point: Fall of Liberty for its piss-poor gameplay, even though its premise was orgasmic (and wasted on such a lousy game). But other than gameplay, story takes top priority.

Verge_6

Depends on what kind of game. For example, I'm not going to go play a platformer expecting an epic and deep storyline with interesting characters.

Depends on what kind of game. For example, I'm not going to go play a platformer expecting an epic and deep storyline with interesting characters.

A good storyline is not important for everygame to have, but a good storyline is extremely important to a game's legacy.

Like many others said, it depends on the genre BUT a good story can do wonders.

I mean, sometimes the gameplay is not that hot, but with a great story, the game feels a whole different. Makes me think of GoW... I'm not saying the gameplay is bad, but I think I enjoy the story more than the gameplay.

[QUOTE="mitu123"][QUOTE="jg4xchamp"] Prince of Persia Sands of Time Platformer -Epic storyline with interesting characters -Charming, fairytale like atmosphere Not disagreeing with you, just saying it has nothing to do with genre...a good story can be told in anything. jg4xchamp

[QUOTE="jg4xchamp"][QUOTE="mitu123"] I love that game by the way, should had been AAA here.mitu123

[QUOTE="mitu123"][QUOTE="jg4xchamp"] it was 9.0, Highest rated Prince of Persia done by Ubisoft. jg4xchamp

If you have a Game with the Best Story Ever (With ALL Characters likable) but TERRIBLE Gameplay, it's a Bad Game.

Basicaly, Story is just a Bonus.

I think it's pretty important these days for many genres, even shooters. For some genres of course it doesn't matter so much. For platformers like SMG, it's mainly about the gameplay and collecting things. Trying to put an involving story to something like that would seem forced and wouldn't really fit in with the activities of the game. Some action adventure games have platforming elements (eg. Prince of Persia, GoW), but the tasks in the game are set up to relate tothe unfolding of astory, which is part of what makes them action adventures.

It can make a game more memorable.

I always pick story over gameplay. Always.