Space Quest Historian put out a good video talking about these kinds of games. I think it’s too easy for people to get so hung up on these definitions. I know everybody has these kind of expectations of what a “computer game” is supposed to be, but story-focused “walking simulators” still have a place in an interactive medium.
You can’t put yourself in Simon’s shoes like this in a movie or TV series, because you’re controlling him in a first-person view. It just wouldn’t be the same perspective, which is critically important in a game where the POV is almost a centerpiece to the story.
It’s a different kind of game, sure, and not everybody is going to like the lack of traditional “gameplay” or whatever you want to call it. But, it’s a category of game that should be respected as just a valid a “game” as any other computer game. It’s just far more story-focused than most.
I understand that their main goal is to tell a story, but then imo there are other mediums for that.
Also, some devs think horror with sneaking is universally fun.
For me, shit like that gives me anxiety and it’s the opposite feeling I want when I game. Why the fuck would want to feel terrified and worried that something is about to catch me?
Having said all that, I still think SOMA is worth trying cause the story is that good.
You just answered your own question, no other medium would give you the anxiety the protagonist is experiencing.
Also, worth noting that this game was made by Frictional games, they essentially invented (or at least popularized) the genre. So while you might be sick of similar games, it’s like saying Mario is just another platformer. Most similar games out there are heavily inspired by Frictional games games.
And frictional games are definitely not walking sims, they just rely on emergent gameplay rather than hardcoded mechanics.
People are criticising the horror games for being stressful. Its OK to not like the game but it’s definitely not the games fault. They are very competently made.
I really, really wanted to like that game. The lore and atmosphere was right up my alley.
The problem? There wasn’t much game to it, no fighting or anything like that. Mostly just go around trying to avoid things like a horror game.
Having said that, the story was sooo good, years later after giving up the game I read the plot on Wikipedia and holy shit, what an ending.
Space Quest Historian put out a good video talking about these kinds of games. I think it’s too easy for people to get so hung up on these definitions. I know everybody has these kind of expectations of what a “computer game” is supposed to be, but story-focused “walking simulators” still have a place in an interactive medium.
You can’t put yourself in Simon’s shoes like this in a movie or TV series, because you’re controlling him in a first-person view. It just wouldn’t be the same perspective, which is critically important in a game where the POV is almost a centerpiece to the story.
It’s a different kind of game, sure, and not everybody is going to like the lack of traditional “gameplay” or whatever you want to call it. But, it’s a category of game that should be respected as just a valid a “game” as any other computer game. It’s just far more story-focused than most.
Yeah it’s a walking simulator. The story is fine but nothing novel or ground breaking. I thought it was way over hyped.
I never understood those games.
I understand that their main goal is to tell a story, but then imo there are other mediums for that.
Also, some devs think horror with sneaking is universally fun.
For me, shit like that gives me anxiety and it’s the opposite feeling I want when I game. Why the fuck would want to feel terrified and worried that something is about to catch me?
Having said all that, I still think SOMA is worth trying cause the story is that good.
You just answered your own question, no other medium would give you the anxiety the protagonist is experiencing.
Also, worth noting that this game was made by Frictional games, they essentially invented (or at least popularized) the genre. So while you might be sick of similar games, it’s like saying Mario is just another platformer. Most similar games out there are heavily inspired by Frictional games games.
And frictional games are definitely not walking sims, they just rely on emergent gameplay rather than hardcoded mechanics.
People are criticising the horror games for being stressful. Its OK to not like the game but it’s definitely not the games fault. They are very competently made.
There’s a Safe Mode, and if you don’t like horror games or anxiety-inducing chases, it’s a good compromise. I talk about that in the intro.