Why Beyond: Two Souls is Better Than a Movie

Games like Beyond: Two Souls and Heavy Rain are a modern evolution of the adventure game. Adventure games aren't usually captivating from a gameplay standpoint. They require little interaction, but the stories they tell captivate you. That's what it's all about.

Obviously, a video game should be "better" than a movie in terms of it being a video game.

I remember in the 90's when games journalists would always emphasize 'gameplay' over all else. It was a mantra that seems to have been lost. I play all sorts of games, but it is still the gameplay and how the interactivity feels that is the headline for my own assessment. A lot of people really like this game so I can't critisize Tom's view too much. However, I've played The Last of Us and some of this game and it is the level of interactivity that is the difference between the two and what makes the The Last of Us a better experience. The question I would ask is, 'is it possible that you could have had a higher level of interactivity in Beyond and would that have made it a better game?'. In my opinion, the answer to both questions is, 'yes'.

heavy rain was interesting for me because it was with PS Move controller, i doubt it will be fun with android. please do not tell me i have to play this with DS3 controller, i do not want to.

I've been avoiding "movie" games ever since they started to appear. Mainly because of blind prejudice towards them. However, I'm willing to give Beyond a chance. Whenever I see it at a decent price I'll pick it up and make a grounded opinion. I've been seeing more and more people complementing these kinds of games and I want to personally see if they are right or if it is just another thing many people like because it's new and different while all the fuzz fades away in months/few years.

Lots of decisions are mere illusions, and even more forced upon you. You you feel bad turning the girl into a soldier? Bro... theres no choice apart from turning off your console. You quickly feel like you're just along for the ride. Asking the player to hit a button ex. to drink when you have ZERO choice in the matter is borderlining insulting.

And why do you even need to trim away gameplay? Is it really THAT much to ask for a good story, decisions that matter and good gameplay? I know, insanity!

Yeah, I remember when I was a kid and liked choose your own adventure books...at least in those books you got different endings when you made a choice. I hardly think that a game's flaws should get a pass because of it's strengths...same thing with Skyrim...it shouldn't have gotten such high scores because it had multiple issues at launch, and developers should be held accountable. Although Beyond is an emotional and interesting experiment, it's hardly at the level of a 9 out of 10. The dialogue is cheesy, the gameplay is nonexistent, your choices don't matter, and the plot is mediocre. I agree that THIS story is better as a game because otherwise it would fail completely as a movie. Overall, I enjoyed it, but a game should be judged on all of it's strengths and weaknesses, not just given a random number based on how much the reviewer enjoyed it.

I guess I am an old school gamer, but to me it has always been about gameplay. Unfortunately, in recent years cut scenes and qte's have taken over more games then I care to mention. I do not doubt the immersion, but I still need a game for my $60.

It's a different type of game, it's very story driven, he mentions in the video the gameplay does not work without the story. That might not be your type of game, that's ok, doesn't mean you have to be a troll. Everyone seemed to be cool with Journey and TWD getting high marks, both of which are barely considered 'games'. So what is the problem here? Besides it's just one guy's opinion, you don't have to agree with it.

How is this a good thing?

The article should be "Why Beyond Two Souls" is not available on other platforms. >.<

not working for me....

I hate "movie" games

That garbage is not better than a movie or videogame, it's just that a piece of garbage.

i came here looking for a game, and found a movie.

That's fine, Tom. I think many of us are still waiting for a breakdown analysis as to how you came to the conclusion of a 9.0. Did you grade on individual aspects or was it purely feeling-based?

It's very hard for many of us to gauge your rating process as it is not what we typically find in that of other professional critics. It's the most frustrating thing about your reviews if it's not the overall conclusion.

In what other interactive movie can you combo so hard all over a toilet seat that your nose bleeds and your eyes roll back?

For a second i thought the title as why Beyond two souls is better as a movie..since it nothing more then a badly written computer animated film with quick time events thrown in. sure it had good actors/actresses but even if you put coat a dog turd with diamonds, it's still a dog turd...it just sparkles now and catches people's attention for moment til they realize what it actually is.

The only movie this game is better are steven segals movies, this game had a bad story, didn't keep up well with characters..I can go on and on. If beyond two souls was a movie it would have been rated 4 stars on IMDB.

simple answer: because it's playable!!

Excellent follow up to the criticism you got Tom. Well done!

One of the best games I've played this year. Definitely not the failure that the xbots were hoping it to be.

this game is just stunning ! Gamespot review was spot on!

ya, better than a movie and worse than a game.

Better than what movie? Movies in general? Tom, are you actively looking for hateful comments?

im guilty of not buying this game but watching the whole story on youtube. and it sure is emotional and satisfying. though I was disappointed at some options the player choose to go for, guess that's what I get for not getting the game

I feel, after playing many of Quantic Dream's game is that their vision is really hampered by the limitations of our input devices. Theres only so much interactivity, that a mouse, or a controller can provide. Look at Surgeon Simulator for example. Thats about as interactive as it gets, and it looks awkward. Give Quantic Dream the Rift, and that Walking treadmill thing, and that will probably be the sledgehammer they need to break down the wall between the game and the player. I see what QD is trying to do, and I just feel we dont have the control interfaces complex enough yet for them to do it.

Just finished Beyond and I am very impressed, I had no trouble with the controls as well. Waaay better than a movie as well because scenes can change a lot in the hands of another person even if their choices only slightly differ. The choices you can make range from the light to incredibly heavy. There was one scene in particular that completely caught me off guard because my friend had played the scene before and then later when I played it it was different and I'm not even sure what I did or didn't do to cause the scene to change.

I have high hopes for this game, I just started it but I am impressed so far. It has simplistic controls with and engrossing story, a character you want to explore and the emotion is drawn out of you as long as you play it with the right attitude.

It's a flawed game but having played it unlike many of the people actually complaining it was also a unforgettable experience. Tom isn't the only one giving this game a 9/10 aswell so I don't see the controversy here. Ultimately it depends on how much you like the narrative. Some scenes and dialogue was inconsistent but it also had great and engrossing scenes, likable leads and some unique and original settings. As a whole experience, it succeeds.

I was dissapointed by Beyond at first but once you keep playing the plot becomes more coherent and it suddenly becomes much more engaging despite it occasional moments of "wah" I will say though I wish the choices had more significance like HR. But at the same time the compromises of less choices mean a more coherent and stronger plot. I wouldn't of gave this a 9 but it's certainly worth playing so maybe a 7.5 or 8