GameBanshee Forums

I was looking through some of the boards I post on, when I noticed that so much of the discussion was on stuff like:
"What's the best UBER 12340893423 damage weapon"
"What's the best UBER 23028750293 damage spell"
"Which game is hacked the most"

Interesting discussions, in their own way, I suppose, but I saw little discussion on what had always interested me MOST in games: the storyline. I'm actually not a huge graphics fan; I prefer the BG series to, say, the relatively unheard-of name of Spellforce (the Order of Dawn). Why? Sure, Spellforce has the superior graphics by far, but it's storyline is so ridiculously linear and boring that it made me regret my purchase a bare 20 minutes into the game. SAD. BG series I've played SEVERAL times over. I seriously think that storyline makes a bigger difference. Case in point: which do YOU think is a better game, FF7 or FF10? Who's cooler, Cloud or that whiney annoying Tidus?

So, here's to the great storylines of the past. I want to see what this community votes for the "best storyline". Here are games that DO NOT count:
The MYST series (and games patterned after it, like Crystal Key, etc.)
- rationale: this series is ALL storyline. It has to be, because there is NO fighting involved, so apart from puzzles the only other thing that the MYST series can offer is a rich storyline, and boy does it. Still, it would be unfair to compare this with other games because the people at Cyan could concentrate on storyline alone, whereas other games have other things to worry about, not least of which is balance and such things.
The SIM series
- rationale: duh. No storyline to speak of, or ALL storyline if you think of it in a certain way (you're making it as you're going along). Wouldn't make a great deal of sense.

I rather favor Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. BGI was pretty good, but I was just impressed by BGII's depth. Although, I'm a bit torn between BGII and Planescape: Torment, because PS:T's characters really endear to me, even to the point of more than BGII (I especially liked Morte, Fall From Grace, and Annah). And the WAY they did it was awesome. Since this is storyline over gameplay, between those two I actually choose PS:T.

So what about the rest of you? What games do YOU think have the best storyline? BGII? PS:T? FF7? Doom?

By the way, I define "best" as: deepest, with support characters that I actually feel for (i.e. in tons of games when an NPC dies I'm like, ok whatever, I'll ressurect them maybe 2 hours later; but in PS:T, if like Morte or Annah died I'd want them back ASAP, just to see more of their character interaction). But, you might define best differently, although I'd appreciate if you'd tell us what that definition is. Heck, maybe under somebody's definition of best, Doom really WOULD have the best storyline! Maybe FROGGER!!!!!

Best storyline? PS:T. To my mind, there's no question. BG2 is great fun, but it's storyline is hackneyed: yet-another kid-with-a-huge-destiny, who gradually discovers his powers and manages to stop the guy trying to take away his heritage or destroy the world or misrule it, etc. There's really nothing unexpected along the way (though in BG2, it's all done with style).

PS:T's storyline is pretty damn remarkable from any viewpoint. "Who am I" RPGs are not unknown, but "Why can't I die for good and why do all these weird shadow creatures keep trying to kill me" RPGs are unknown. As the Nameless One, you are, to paraphrase Churchill, "a puzzle wrapped in a mystery shrouded by an enigma." You not only meet people who have known you before, you actually get to see the results of two instances of yourself, one of which was a controlling bastard, while the other was a psychopath. In fact, you get a bird's eye view of the controlling bastard from the point-of-view of one of his main victims. For sheer imagination, PS:T delivers a storyline that's credible, complex, and utterly unlike anything else that computer RPGs have ever delivered before.

I used to like The Savage Empire storyline, even though it was good only for that time games (old, very old...).

I also like Chrono Trigger storyline, cause even though made to play on SNes, it was very well designed. Altering past and future, even though with some "chosen ones" and destiny cliches.

And, of course, BG.

sorry Fable, havent played PS T. Morrowind is a good game too, but storyline...

I agree with fable, PS:T's storyline is definitely grand, open-ended, and unique and it was something I'd never seen before, although fable's seen a heckuva lot more games than I have, so if it gets praise from him, it's gotta be good.

I also liked Deus Ex and System Shock 2's plots. Governement conspiracies are always interesting and System Shock 2 was one of the moodiest and freaky games I've ever played. Especially since the plot is told entirely through audio logs of dead people.

I'm quite fond of the story from Final Fantasy: Tactics. It included many of the things I find quite alluring about a story: Intrigue, politics, heroism, betrayal. Not only that, but the main character isnt so much a hero until the final chapter of the game. Until then, he's merely a side character to the real heroes.

I'll likely have to say Fallout.

The apocalyptic story appeals to me in some manner, and you having to leave a safe haven to find a chip for your vault to survive.

I've never (unfortunally) been captivated by PS:T (yet; been thinking of booting it up again), so can't comment on that one.

Planescape: Torment, for the simple reason that many of you know. Its just so good. At the end, both times I've gone through, I was deeply moved by everything. Fable already explained why this game is great, and I second him.

Baldur's Gate II. It was epic and deep, and sure, the main plot was slightly cliche. What about all the sub-storylines though, most of which would've probably been their own games? Windspear Hills, Umar Hills, Trademeet, Ust'Natha...and the main storyline from another perspective. Instead of the wannabe-god that you are, what about the salvation from the tormented exile elf?

Grim Fandango, one of the most inventive and funny adventure games I've seen. The plot was truely, truely great, and all the small touches to the story were great.

The Lengend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Both had normal, run-of-the-mill stories, but much deeper past the surface and runs in several directions.

But, in the end, PS:T wins.

I would have to go with BG2, just because it's so incredibly deep. There are nearly inumerable stories taking place during the game, it's just amazing. I have yet to see a game come close to matching BG2 in that respect.

Well the games you guys have mentioned i just havnt played but a game with a great story line in my oppinion would have to be Knights of the old republic. I mean look at it you can sit there and think well this guys getting robbed and have that lil angle on your left saying something like save him and dont ask for a reward or give him money to help him. then the lil devil on your right, kill them all massacre make your name feared, or your could be really mean save him and ask for LOTS of money and if he doesnt pay kill him his family and leave his daughter(if he has one) as a play toy. Well thats just me but then you can get a droid that is very sadistic. he wants to kill every thing for his master. i want a droid like that. and to have the ablity to be light side everyone resects you because you saved the universe, or dark side your name brings fear to anyone with atleast 1 brain cell. you can even play with the romance elements which when i first played i got bastila to say she loved me and i was just trying to have fun with it. being my normal self. it was something that i have never seen before and now that i have seen it there everyone will try and use it for games.

I must admit that I didn't find the storyline of SW:KotOR that good.
It was - like the SW universe generally is (and supposed to be) - very cliche filled and straight forward.

Well, it all depends on your definition of "good", Xandax. I personally define good as: "a storyline I would definately buy and read if it were a book instead of a computer game." For example, if you played *insert game name here* through, writing down every detail (including character interactions and bantering and whatnot along the way), then compressed it and edited it into a book, would you buy it?

If the game's name were Planescape: Torment, my answer would be a resounding YES. I'd buy it, read it voraciously, and howl for a sequel. If the game's name were SoA, then perhaps. The characters, more than the plotline, would probably draw me to such a book. I wouldn't really howl for a sequel, unless it was a book only of SoA and not ToB. If it was, I'd howl for ToB. An example of a game I WOULD NOT buy as a book is Spellforce. Oh God no. It's bad enough as a game.

Opalescence wrote:Well, it all depends on your definition of "good", Xandax. <snip>

i used the definition as given from the original post in the thread.

By the way, I define "best" as: deepest, with support characters that I actually feel for

As I said - I find the storyline of SW:KotOR to filled with cliches for my likeing. It is good entertainment, but it isn't (in my opinnion) terrible "deep".
But then again - that is generally what I feel about most SW plots; eventhough I'm a fan of the movies.

Futhermore SW:KotOR seems very much like a spin of the storyline in the Baldur Gates series, except in BG you were the child of "evil" instead of evil itself.

If we can go oldschool, I think I like Final Fantasy 3. I mean, there is no question that the BG series is excellent, but Final Fantasy 3 was what lured me into the RPG world years ago.....I still remember how caught up in it I was.....espers......magi......empire.....Kefka .....anyways, I just remember how sad I was when it was over. The story might not be better than the BG series, but I really enjoyed it. I mean, the purpose of most games is to keep the world from ending. How many games does the world actually end in? The only problem was that it had a weak ending.

And sorry guys, I haven't played PST.

[QUOTE=rebel3_6_1]And sorry guys, I haven't played PST.[/QUOTE]

Then do so at your earliest opportunity.

@Opalescence. SoA and ToB were made into books. And they sucked. (They didn't follow the game at all...search this subforum, the Forgotten Realms subforum, and D&D subforum for a thread or two on them, if you're interested.)

I think I'm gonna go with PS:T as well. I hadn't played until after the BG series and the other IE games, but when I did I was just left saying WOW.

I've never Played PlaneScape, so maybe I've missed on something, apparently, but I'd say FF7 all the way.

Well once Warcraft 3 came out, but before the expansion. I read up on the burning legion's history and how the game's story sretches out 15,000 years. So then I really got into it, alot.

Although, there are other games whose stories I've really gotten into also. Like 'Legacy of Kain' which I've played all the series' games since Blood Omen came out. Except Soul Reaver 2 which came out on PS2 before Xbox came out. I only have an Xbox and their contract keeps them from releasing Soul Reaver 2 on the Xbox.

The storyline of the 3rd game of which I can't think of at this hour, also intrested me. (maybe it was Diablo 2's expansion. Which had a really good ending)

Which of the three I like more, I never really decided to uh.. decide.

-edit- this site recently released warcraft's lore. Which at the place where I read it, I could only read the first 4 chapters before WC3's expansion was released.

[QUOTE=Tower_Master]I've never Played PlaneScape, so maybe I've missed on something, apparently, but I'd say FF7 all the way.[/QUOTE]

You should try Planescape: Torment, then. It's cheap (you can buy it secondhand for very little via Amazon) and has a storyline that's truly compelling. I couldn't really say that about any other RPG I've played, though many have been excellent in other respects.

I would have to say Deus Ex.

PS:T is damn remarkable for it time and the story is just amazing, but when i first played through Deus Ex i found the story to be a bit more wierd and a lot better then what most Shooters could put forward.

The endings where both good though, and both are definatly worth the time to play over for missed storylines and so on.

[QUOTE=trance]I would have to go with BG2, just because it's so incredibly deep. There are nearly inumerable stories taking place during the game, it's just amazing. I have yet to see a game come close to matching BG2 in that respect.[/QUOTE]

Just adding to the chorus here, but I'm guessing you haven't played Planescape: Torment


Also, I'll now shamelessly redirect you to my thread where I have put my opinion concerning games and storylines.