I think it’s time for me to dramatically reduce the number of gaming podcasts I listen to, because it’s getting to the point where I can’t stand hearing certain topics anymore.

I was listening to NWR’s Radio Trivia podcast, in which they play three tunes from a game and then have some banter about it. In the latest episode, they chose Metroid: Other M, and of course, when discussing it they made fun of the dialogue and the baby, the baby, the baby, the baby...

Over 12 months after the fact, the same tired jokes and complains won’t stop! And while I respect the podcaster’s right to express himself, it’s not as if he said anything new. And I think that’s my main problem: the discourse from the media or internet commentators for certain games or systems changes, it’s wearisome as heck. So why even say it at that point, when all of your audience is very, very, very familiar with all of the points that you are going to raise, or the rant you are about to launch into?

Is it just me who is having a problem with this because of over-exposure to gaming podcasts?

I’m particularly proud that in the NW podcast, we haven’t spent a single minute mocking the Wii U name, or ranting about the 3DS’ “frankenstick”. I’d rather hear talk about Dog Football any day of the week.

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Guillaume said:

Going back to the idea of the thread, I guess it's annoying when podcasters keep praising a game's story, for instance Heavy Rain, when it's obvious few or none of them know enough about good storytelling or writing to criticize it.

I understand and agree. The thing is, though, that some people just have lower standards. I remember reading a review of the new Thundercats TV show that said the "animation is outstanding." I couldn't believe what I was reading. The animation in Thundercats is subpar at BEST. It is "acceptable" is what it is. Clearly the person writing that review has no idea what outstanding animation is. That said, they liked it. So who am I to judge?

PS. No really, it's not outstanding. They're wrong.

(By the way, the ART of the show is indeed outstanding. Their background and layout artists are great. The character designs are fun too. The animation, though, is limited because of budget, and as a result it is mediocre.)

@Jargon

I am pretty far removed from anything that resembles being an authority on storytelling... but the plotting in Heavy Rain was complete garbage. I completely understand why people enjoy the experience the game provides in the moment (I enjoyed the game) but am genuinely confused as to how anyone could get through that game thinking that the story or writing were even competent.

@PogueSquadron
By 'gaming narrative', I kind of meant an overemphasis on game stories, themselves, but more like discussion about what gaming narrative can mean, including whether or not games can be art, or whatever. I think people in the gaming journalism industry want to be 'legitimized', so they focus disproportionately on these issues.

@Robknoxious1
Yeah, the 3DS doom-and-gloom gets pretty old. Especially since most of these same sheep were proclaiming it a runaway success before the sales figures hit.

@Jargon

I don't think so. If they're putting themselves into a critic's shoes they should be ready to do a critic's job, and it's clear that many of them don't have the background necessary to do that. I've read reviews treating LA Noire as a film noir that could only draw parallels to James Ellroy and Roger Rabbit. I mean, if it's the approach you're going to take it would behoove you to know a little bit more about film noir first.

@Anand

I don't expect narrative from arcade games like Pac-Man.

I do expect narrative from story-driven games like Mass Effect. ME without a plot may as well be Berzerk.

I wonder why some think narrative has to be all or nothing. I'm not expecting Shakespeare, yet some seem to feel that if a game isn't delivering at that level then it's beneath them.

It's confusing because I have an appreciation for high art in film and literature, but I also enjoy pedestrian stuff like Parks and Rec, Family Guy, etc.

No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater if a game has a thread of plot taking me from point A to B to C in an (even mildly) engaging manner, then it's doing its job.

I'd certainly take that over developers not trying at all and just playing twitch arcade games with zero narrative (which I do enjoy, but don't want it to be all I experience in gaming).

Heavy Rain wasn't perfect. Nor was it "Oscar-worthy". But it pulled me in like few games ever have, so in that regard, it was a success on a narrative level.

I personally found Heavy Rain very compelling. I'm not an authority on stories or writing by any means, but the way the game was presented hooked me and kept me interested.

The ending wasn't great though.

@New Forms

You've gone on record saying you stopped watching Hollywood drivel. Why was what is unacceptable in movies, acceptable in games? It's an interesting contradiction. Is it just the interactivity? No patience for watching Indiana Jones do his stuff, but playing as Nathan Drake is fun?

How would the interactive parts of that game enhance the story presented in the cutscenes, though? Despite the banter that happens during gameplay, only the cutscenes really drive the story forward.

@Simbabbad

I feel like I should be mad at the world every time I read one of your posts

The only time I ever got "worn down" on a Nintendo topic was when a few people were discussing this generation of consoles . I don't know know exactly what we were talking about but I know Nintendo was brought up and it was "forbidden" to include them in the discussion as they weren't part of this generation with the Wii. Yeah, their influence on the 360 and PS3 was totally irrelevant when they decided to introduce the Kinect and Move accessories.

@Guillaume

I think we're drifting into extremes again.

Yes, I do steer away from Hollywood drivel, but I'd also suggest that most of us do. While I tend to stick with indie/foreign cinema, I also enjoy major releases. I'll avoid pure crap like Paul Blart: Mall Cop, but just two nights ago I watched Bridesmaids on DVD and thought it was a hoot. On the other hand I have no interest in super-hero movies like Batman: Dark Knight, Star Trek (new), X-Men, or whatever...yet I still recognize they are quality productions for the right audience, of which I'm not a part (though I did see Iron Man at a friend's house and thought it was neat).

Point is, I can enjoy narrative in gaming that's decent. And even if it is "only" decent, I understand that sometimes that's the best you can get in a young story-telling medium such as gaming. It's good enough. And sometimes it's even great (Grim Fandango, Mass Effect, etc.). Honestly, I do tend to shy away from games that sell narrative/characters that I can't stand. I think the God of War universe is ridiculous and have no interest in delving into that world, even though the gameplay is solid from what I understand. Same goes for 99% of JRPGs. Can't stand 'em. I actually do enjoy many of the combat systems in JRPGs but the characters and recycled story clichés are an instant turn off. On the other hand, I'm currently enjoying Gears of War 3 and think that the narrative is actually pretty damn good (for a dude-bro action game), so go figure.

It's not all cut and dry, so there's no telling what will draw me in. Maybe it's because it's a combination of both gameplay, setting and narrative. If some of those elements are strong, with others being weak, the stronger parts can prop up the less-developed elements (Deadly Premonition). Of course it would be great if every game out there fired on all cylinders, but that obviously doesn't happen. So I weigh the good against the bad.

Film and literature is just a more static and directed experience so it's far easier to be discerning according to my personal tastes.