REBUTTAL TO: Sonic Is Dead
Well, seeing a non-RPG editorial in RPGamer is an interesting surprise. However, I must say that I was quite irked by the horrible misrepresentation of action games. As I read the article, titled "Sonic is Dead," it seemed to me that it was written by someone who was expecting some kind of Greek tragedy rather than a Sonic game, and this led me to think about one issue: Storylines in video games. Not just in RPGs, but in all video games. Does an action game really need some kind of deep narrative to link together all the gameplay sequences?
Well, I'd like to start off by saying I like a good story, and I love literature. I have read and studied many great works of art and hope to be a writer someday. However, video game plots no longer tickle my fancy. As the great John Carmack said, plot in a video game is like plot in a porno: it's there, but it's not important. Video Games aren't literature. Even in RPGs, plot lines are pretty abysmal. About 99% of the material I have seen in RPGs is pretty much exceptional hack work. The same goes for the rest of gaming. However, other genres of video gaming aren't as centered on drama and character development as RPGs are.
The action game is a perfect example of a genre that doesn't need a storyline. An action game is like a roller coaster ride: It's the experience that counts. Storyline in thrill rides is just for show. Look at Disney attractions: all the story elements in a Disney ride are just there to impress the guests when they're waiting in line. What Kris Schnee's editorial failed to mention is that Sonic Heroes is a fun, wild ride. Who cares about plot? I'm having too much fun flipping across a pinball machine, escaping certain death from a giant crocodile, and racing across an ENTIRE fleet of ships. Unlike Sonic Adventure 1 or 2, the action in Heroes isn't slowed down by elaborate cut scenes. That's the way a Sonic or action game should be.
Some action games do feature some kind of elaborate plot. As the other article said, games like Megaman X do have some kind of narrative that runs through them. But, to reassert what my second paragraph said, storyline isn't important. Megaman X's storyline, in the end, is just like one from some kind of kid's anime. I don't play Megaman to find out the next "layer" of X's development: I play it to acquire new robot powers and get cool armor so I can kick more butt. Although creating a mildly amusing story to tie everything together is nice, so is designing an action-packed game filled with crazy levels and clever surprises.
There is one thing that Kris Schnee said that I would agree with is the statement about Sonic being a pop-culture icon. That is exactly what he is. Sonic is the gaming industry equivalent of Mickey Mouse. No surprise, since he is Sega's mascot. The only thing I expect from a mascot is too look and act cute/cool. Demanding some kind of depth from such a character is ridiculous. What I DO care about is Sonic continuing to star in good games, just as Mickey Mouse starred in classic cartoons. And Sonic Team certainly hasn't failed in that respect.
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