Do you perfer a story-heavy story or light-hearted story?

[Mieyn-the-ScriptWriter]

Hello Game Makers!

I was wondering if players would prefer a game that is more story-heavy or light-hearted. I enjoy games with deep, immersive story that keeps me engaged and invested in the characters and world. On the other hand, I also enjoy light-hearted games that are more focused on gameplay and just having fun.

What about you guys & gals? Do you have a preference for story-heavy or light-hearted games? Why do you prefer one over the other?
I would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

Hey Game Devs, Programmers, and all!

Today, we're going to be discussing the question of whether you prefer a well-written and story-heavy game like Persona or Skyrim, or a light-hearted game like Doki Doki Literature Club or Cult of the Lambs.

First, let's consider the appeal of a well-written and story-heavy game. These types of games often have deep, complex plots that keep players engaged and invested in the characters and world. They may also have multiple branching storylines and choices that allow the player to shape the direction of the narrative. These games tend to be more immersive and can offer a satisfying and meaningful gaming experience.

On the other hand, light-hearted games can be just as enjoyable for many players. These games often have more light-hearted storylines and may focus more on humor and fun gameplay rather than a deep, complex plot. They can be a great way to relax and have a good time and can be especially appealing to players who are looking for something more light and casual.

Ultimately, the type of game that you prefer will depend on your tastes and what you're in the mood for. Some people may enjoy the immersive, story-heavy experiences of games like Persona and Skyrim, while others may prefer the light-hearted fun of games like Doki Doki Literature Club and Cult of the Lambs. Both types of games can be incredibly rewarding in their way, so it's all about finding the right fit for you.

What do you prefer? Do you enjoy the depth and complexity of a well-written and story-heavy game, or do you prefer something more light and casual? Share your thoughts with the community below!

Now I know having both of two worlds would be fun and good, but let’s just say you had to choose between one or the other, which one would you choose?

 

[SGHarlekin]

Idk my guy, those 2 things are not mutually exclusive.

Also, what is it now? Story heavy, or text heavy? You can have plenty of story without burdening your player with reading a novel worth of text.

You can have a lighthearted game that still delivers a satisfying story too. I don't think these options compare.

 

[asuran20]

Hello Game Makers!

I was wondering if players would prefer a game that is more story-heavy or light-hearted. I enjoy games with deep, immersive story that keeps me engaged and invested in the characters and world. On the other hand, I also enjoy light-hearted games that are more focused on gameplay and just having fun.

What about you guys & gals? Do you have a preference for story-heavy or light-hearted games? Why do you prefer one over the other?
I would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

I prefer a game that balances both, too much history is not very good if your game is not supposed to be a light novel.

Too few of it makes the game lack luster unless your gameplay is astonishing.

They have a very close relationship and it's good to strike the closest of a balance that you can.

 

[123edc]

there once was a writer, making a bet with another ... can you create a story, with just a hand full of words ... the result was one of the most fantastic children books i know

there once was a writer, writing tons and tons of text and lore ... the result was harry potter

there once was a game, it had only gameplay ... it's name is chess
there once was a visual novel 3 volumes â 50h each ...


what i want to say:
i do and will always like good story, fitting for the actual gameworld more than anything else

 

[Sword_of_Dusk]

Idk my guy, those 2 things are not mutually exclusive.

Also, what is it now? Story heavy, or text heavy? You can have plenty of story without burdening your player with reading a novel worth of text.

You can have a lighthearted game that still delivers a satisfying story too. I don't think these options compare.

All of this right here.

The options given are not exclusive things whatsoever. A game can have both.

 

[ATT_Turan]

I agree with @SGHarlekin - Edit: and @Sword_of_Dusk - you appear to be comparing two things (three, if you include the thread title) that aren't contradictory.

A story can be light-hearted but still complex (look at the character development over the course of The Office).

A story can be either whimsical or serious without being overly verbose and text-heavy.

My preference would be serious but not text-heavy.

 

[TheoAllen]

If a heavy story means a large text dump I need to know before I understand the story context, I prefer a light story.

If a heavy story means there are a lot of things going on in the back, optionally, if you are interested and want to dig deeper as to why your character, NPC, and factions behave a certain way (i.e, not shallow), then I prefer a heavy story.

 

[Sword_of_Dusk]

@TheoAllen Someone else may have a different idea, but as far as I'm concerned, a story heavy game is one in which the story and characters take center stage above all else. No major text dumps have to be involved. The Last of Us is a perfect example of a story heavy game.

A game with a light story is one that is far more concerned with gameplay over story. The story is there in some capacity, but it isn't the overall thing that one thinks about and can be entirely overlooked. Any of Sonic's classic games fit this mold. They do have stories, but they're very minimal. The gameplay is what matters most there.

 

[TheoAllen]

@Sword_of_Dusk in that case, the story was never my reason to play games. If the game only offers a story, I skip it entirely. But I don't mind a game with complex and immersive world-building as long as I "play a game".

 

[Soul_Narrative_Games]

Although I do agree with @TheoAllen that I like to have some good gameplay accompanying my story. I have a higher tolerance for average gameplay and great story. With those types of games they shouldn't drag there feet when it comes to story or I am out. Games of the opposite example the gameplay has to be interesting for me to stick around.

I try to find a balance in the games I make. I recently made two prototypes, one with excellent story, good battle system and average gameplay outside of battle. Then, the other had average story, good battle system and great gameplay outside of battle. I found the second one more interesting to play, but I am working on raising the quality of the story as I further develop that game.

 

[Mieyn-the-ScriptWriter]

Idk my guy, those 2 things are not mutually exclusive.

Also, what is it now? Story heavy, or text heavy? You can have plenty of story without burdening your player with reading a novel worth of text.

You can have a lighthearted game that still delivers a satisfying story too. I don't think these options compare.

@TheoAllen Someone else may have a different idea, but as far as I'm concerned, a story heavy game is one in which the story and characters take center stage above all else. No major text dumps have to be involved. The Last of Us is a perfect example of a story heavy game.

A game with a light story is one that is far more concerned with gameplay over story. The story is there in some capacity, but it isn't the overall thing that one thinks about and can be entirely overlooked. Any of Sonic's classic games fit this mold. They do have stories, but they're very minimal. The gameplay is what matters most there.

If a heavy story means a large text dump I need to know before I understand the story context, I prefer a light story.

If a heavy story means there are a lot of things going on in the back, optionally, if you are interested and want to dig deeper as to why your character, NPC, and factions behave a certain way (i.e, not shallow), then I prefer a heavy story.

I redid the entire question and clarified some things, go check it out.

 

[SGHarlekin]

Welp... I would probably say neither. I like games like he souls series. There's deep lore and story there if you want it, but not knowing it doesn't stop you from having a great, challenging experience.


The games I make myself tend to be on the lighthearted side, but with my newest project, I'm aiming to also have deep/sad/whatever moments.

I find it hard to just pick one, even for the sake of the discussion. After all it's the complete package that makes a good game, not just one aspect of it.

 

[Sword_of_Dusk]

@Sword_of_Dusk in that case, the story was never my reason to play games. If the game only offers a story, I skip it entirely. But I don't mind a game with complex and immersive world-building as long as I "play a game".

I'm not particularly picky. I love good gameplay, and it will keep me going even if the story is bad. However, I also love a great story in a game, and even if the gameplay is poor, a good enough story will keep me going. Deadly Premonition is always my go-to example of that.

That said, I won't ignore a game just because it's primarily a story-based experience. I would have never found the Ace Attorney or Zero Escape franchises had that been the case. It's fine if those types of games aren't your preference, but if you've never given them a chance just because they're light on gameplay, I'd at least check them out on YT.

I redid the entire question and clarified some things, go check it out.

I mean, it still has the same problem. Light-hearted and complex story don't have to be separate things. A story can be mostly light-hearted throughout its runtime, yet have a few parts where things get serious. Look at the Borderlands games past the first. They're not the deepest in terms of story, but they do have one that isn't relegated to the background. Ace Attorney is another one. It's built on story, and things can get dark at the eleventh hour, but much of it is rather comical, even though you're dealing with murder cases.

or a light-hearted game like Doki Doki Literature Club

Have you actually played DDLC? Light-hearted is the last descriptor I would use for that game.

 

[ATT_Turan]

I think there may be a bit of mixing of terminology causing confusion.

The term "light-hearted" means amusing, cheerful, whimsical.

I think perhaps @Mieyn-the-ScriptWriter might have confused that for games being "casual," which would fit with the original post's description of "more focused on gameplay."

A casual game is expected to not have a strong sense of story, but is entertaining to play for some period of time based on what you're doing.

Pokémon is light-hearted, but has just as strong a story as any other typical JRPG.

 

[TheoAllen]

I'm not particularly picky. I love good gameplay, and it will keep me going even if the story is bad.

It isn't about if the story is bad but good gameplay, I would still play the game.
Even if the game has no story, I play.

There's an amusement management sim game. Sure, sign me up. There is no story in that game. There's a factory automation game. Sure, sign me up. There is little to no story in that game.
I did things in RPG Maker most of the time not to tell a story, but to experiment with the system. I'm an engineer at heart. Not a storyteller.

So, it is really about what games have to offer in the gameplay.

It's fine if those types of games aren't your preference, but if you've never given them a chance just because they're light on gameplay, I'd at least check them out on YT.

I'm satisfied with watching a series or a movie when I want a pure story. That said, my big bro watched the entire Detroid Become Human LP on youtube and he said it feels like watching a movie. Or the entire Starcraft lore from the in-game cinematic that had been uploaded on YT. So, you have a point on that.

I have a higher tolerance for average gameplay and great story.

When the gameplay is subpar, a good story usually is the saving grace.

I redid the entire question and clarified some things, go check it out.

In that case, I do enjoy the heavy one. Light stories tend to hit/miss. Sometimes it feels cringe.

 

[Iron_Brew]

Brevity is the soul of wit.

 

[NoPiessadface]

idk im the opposite deep stories entertains me while simple ones bore me

 

[Plueschkatze]

Well... is story-heavy even the oposite of light-hearted?
Because as I understand story-heavy just implies that there is a lot of story, so someone wrote a lot of backstory and lore and everything...
and light-hearted implies the mood is light hearted. You can have a lot of story without making the player feel depressed or anxious. And you can have little story and make them feel that way.

But maybe I'm misunderstanding the terms (as english isn't my first language) and story-heavy implies that it's a very serious and kinda dark story?

 

[Soul_Narrative_Games]

@NoPiessadface I am similar with my taste in stories in video games. Although having a fun gameplay can help with the experience sometimes.
@Plueschkatze I think the original poster meant do you like games that have an "emphasis story with less emphasis on gameplay" or "games that emphasis gameplay over having a more detailed story".
I prefer games more story since that is what I prefer in my games.

 

[Eden019]

I'd vote for the story heavy game
But, I'm not really into fillers or plots unrelated to the storyline, I like "to the point" storyline.

As mentioned before, the vote could cause confusion for me too... I think the vote should be "Dark" or "Light-hearted" story. Because story heavy and light-hearted are not opposite to each other. A game can have both.