I’m a firm believer in video games as a medium for storytelling. There are plenty examples out there of games that rival Hollywood when it comes to a compelling narrative. And there are probably just as many examples of games that rival films for being, well, crap.
One genre that is particularly lacking in the storytelling department is the open world, or sandbox, genre. In my latest GameZone article, I look into why sandbox games just can’t seem to tell great stories and why developers are realizing the same thing as they move away from the genre and its narrative flaws.
Speaking of storytelling, Alan Wake will be out in one month! I love a good, scary game and I’m very interested in seeing what Remedy has done with it. I’m sure I’ll write up my impressions of it after I’ve had a chance to play it. Until then, I’m working on a review of Sam & Max’s latest episodic adventure for HookedGamers. Because if there’s one thing I like almost as much as scary games, it’s games that make me laugh.
[Photo by downing.amanda]