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Storytelling is an important part of gaming. And it's come a long way since the famous 'Avoid Missing Ball For High Score' (a phrase that has since become part of gaming lore). As gaming technology and narrative techniques have improved, plot and characterization have been given increasing prominence in the game experience. Obviously it all comes down to the gameplay in the end, but narrative devices can greatly elevate a game above the average. LucasArts' classic PC adventure games would be nothing without the delightful script, while the smart writing and moddy voiceovers of Max Payne give it a distinctive atmosphere. These are just a few examples - which would be the best?

What games do you consider the best examples of storytelling?

Monopolyman:

Eternal Darkness!

I mean, come on. A fairly complex story about the domination of Pious Augustous, and the battle to speed up Mantarok's death. All chapter stories are written nicely, and some interesting unanswered questions.

Still hoping it will be turned into a movie...

ERaZer:

All the three Marathon games; sure the story isn't that interactive and the way of presenting it might feel a bit primitive by todays standards, but if you take time to read the messages etc. it really makes you think and you get drawn in.

Like Monopolyman, Eternal Darkness. A great story, with an interesting presentation (you play the characters in the story etc). Brilliant.

Gameplay aside, the plot was a corker

ilsa Nadir:

I consider Perfect Dark to be a fine example of storytelling. It could of been a storyline from Die Hard or James Bond, but the way it was implemented into a game back in 1999 was pure genius, and I feel that even games nowdays don't come close to this.

But there's many great examples around. From this generation I think Fable needs a mention. I should of said Zelda really, but I'm guessing you all know about the class storytelling there.

If a developer puts a lot of time into storytelling, then I feel this trend of games getting close to film a bit worrying. I really don't want to be sitting there watching FMV after FMV just for a good story.

It should be part of the gameplay in a way, if you get what I mean. Not latched on in video form!

Yoochem:

Metroid Prime! I mean, there are no story-telling cutscenes (exept on the space station and in the ending) but there IS a story! You just have to figure it out yourself, and that just feels very good.

L0rdpain:

Baldur's Gate series. That's the PC games, not the console games. Baldur's Gate 1 + expansion Tales Of the Sword Coast had a terrific story.

I still consider Baldur's gate 2 + expansion Throne Of Bhaal as the best game ever. Story A++++.

Anax:

I don't know if anyone remembers this, but the best game storyline would have to be Metal Marines. It was a SNES RTS game and it just had the best moments, where you would have to fight different generals and each time you beat them they would come on screen all huffy :) .

The little details all compounded into one grand backstory

Hellfire:

Well, I have to agree: Eternal Darkness. I mean, that's just pure class! Final Fantasies also have great and engaging stories, as well as Metal Gear Solid. But the one that stands out, in my opinion is Metroid Prime. Without any "direct" storytelling, the huge amount of info you get from the scans is enough to make a great story, but you can add some personal touches to it. It helps create the feeling that you are alone.

Also worthy of note is the Zelda saga (or should I say The Legends of Zelda). Even though the stories aren't particularly groundbreaking (I'm not saying they're bad, I really liked the twists in Wind Waker), what I love is the fact that you can make up your own theories about the storyline and connection between Zelda games. It's like we found a lot of loose legends without many detail and are trying to put them together. I like it. Just my two cents.

Hero-of-Time:

For me there are many games that give the player an amazing story. Like many have said before me Metal Gear and Final Fantasy games all have great and usually complex stories. Also worth mentioning is the Resident Evil games. Sure the first story was a cliche but it really start to develop to something greater after the first game.

Alas all of these great stories come at a price.....MASSIVE amounts of cutscenes. I feel that if a developer can make a game with an amazing story with little or no cutscenes then they have done an amazing job. An excellent example of this is Metroid Prime.

Cube001:

Yu Suzuki's Shenmue series without a doubt! It was just so involving! Oh and that game was ahead of its time, which made it just THAT much better!

Eternal Darkness was popular then. If you disagreed, post your own view below. If you want to contribute to next week's edition, tell us about the games that make you tickle the most here.