Storytelling
Ongoing coverage on Storytelling.
Latest coverage
Diablo 4's Evil Mommy Lilith Sure Seems A Lot Less, Well, Evil Now
The upcoming Diablo 4 expansion, Lord of Hatred, will feature a significantly altered role for Lilith, who appears less antagonistic in a newly revealed cinematic. Players will team up with Lilith against Mephisto, who has regained his strength and is manipulating a religion. The expansion introduces two new classes, Paladin and Warlock, alongside reworked skill trees and new endgame systems.
Fortnite Lore Explained: Where the Story Falls Apart
Fortnite's ongoing narrative, while ambitious, has become increasingly difficult to follow due to inconsistencies, fragmented explanations, and the integration of external media like comic books. Crossovers and retcons further complicate the lore, leaving many players confused despite the game's potential for a cohesive universe. Epic Games faces the challenge of unifying these elements for a more impactful storytelling experience.
Hades II Accolades Trailer Proves Supergiant’s Storytelling Magic Strikes Twice
Supergiant Games has released an accolades trailer for Hades II, highlighting critical praise for its storytelling and narrative ambition. The trailer emphasizes how the sequel expands upon the original's mythological themes and character depth, suggesting a strong potential for a successful console launch following its early access period.
OPUS: Prism Peak Review - Home is where your friends are
OPUS: Prism Peak is a bittersweet narrative adventure that explores themes of love, loss, and human connection through a unique photography mechanic. Players step into the shoes of Eugene, an ex-photojournalist who finds himself in another world, tasked with helping animal spirits remember their true names. The game features a beautiful 3D anime art style, an orchestral soundtrack, and voice acting from notable talents, offering multiple endings based on player choices.
Gaming’s Violence Debate Hits Critical Mass as Players Question Bloodier Games
A viral Reddit comment sparked a debate about the increasing violence in video games, questioning if modern titles have become excessively gory. The discussion highlights how advancements in technology like ray tracing and VR enhance the visceral impact of in-game violence, prompting comparisons to classic media debates and raising ethical questions about mature storytelling and player experience.
Under the Disco Lights Brings 80s Bar Simulator to Steam Today
Under the Disco Lights – 80’s Bar Simulator, developed by qowwodd, has launched on PC via Steam. The game immerses players in the 1980s nightlife, tasking them with mixing cocktails, interacting with patrons, and uncovering stories. It aims to offer a unique blend of bar simulation with character-driven narrative elements and an authentic 80s aesthetic and soundtrack.
Cool Story, Bro! A party game about writing stories is OUT NOW!
The party game Cool Story, Bro!, developed by solo developer Mateo Covic of ZoroArts, is now available on Steam. Players write short stories based on four random words, with options to add genres and use items to disrupt opponents. The game also features Twitch integration and a single-player mode.
Infinite Dungeon Tells Its Story One Hero at a Time
Arctic Goblins has launched Infinite Dungeon: Idle Adventure on PC, an idle RPG that emphasizes hero individuality and narrative progression over simple stat increases. The game features a 4-slot team system with 10 unique heroes, each with their own abilities and story threads, aiming to provide a more engaging experience than typical idle games. The developer has incorporated feedback from extensive demo play, focusing on discovery and meaningful progression through its prestige system.
Indie Horror Game ‘The Floor Above’ Launches After Year-Long Grind
Indie horror game The Floor Above has launched on PC after a year of development by an 8-person team at Kaltsifer. The game focuses on story-driven anomaly spotting rather than cheap jump scares, aiming for a psychological horror experience. The developers are also planning a trilogy of related games.
The best part of Overwatch's latest hero trailer is that it keeps the overarching narrative front and centre, right…
The recent Overwatch hero trailer and content updates have successfully recentered the game's overarching narrative. This shift, which began with the Reign of Talon arc, marks a significant step forward in integrating story progression with gameplay updates, a move that has been welcomed by players who appreciate a more lived-in game world.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Developer Diary Showcases Story, Living Skies, and Gameplay
A new developer diary for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve highlights the game's story, "living skies" dynamic cloud system, and gameplay accessibility. The game will feature photorealistic first-person story scenes and will launch in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The Spectacular FINAL FANTASY VI
This review of Final Fantasy VI highlights its innovative storytelling and technical achievements on the Super Nintendo, positioning it as a standout JRPG of its era. While praising the engaging first half and memorable character moments like the opera scene and Sabin's suplex, the review notes a difficulty spike on the floating continent and a less cohesive 'World of Ruin' section. Despite some criticisms regarding progression and Kefka's diminished role post-world domination, the game's final boss fight is lauded as a masterpiece, and its impact on JRPG storytelling is undeniable.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve devs detail first-person aerial combat and world of Strangereal
Project Aces has released a developer diary for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, detailing innovations such as a first-person perspective during story scenes and advancements in its proprietary "Cloudly" engine and "Lumen" lighting system. The game, set in the world of Strangereal, will feature an emotional story and enhanced flight combat mechanics, aiming for immersion and accessibility for both new and veteran players. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 this year.
Samson Review | Cloud Dosage
Samson: A Tyndalston Story Review highlights the game's atmosphere and story beats, which are reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, the review notes that the game encounters some issues and struggles to maintain momentum.
Samson Review - An Uninspiring Tyndalston Story | TNS
Samson: A Tyndalston Story is a review that harkens back to the late-'90s and early aughts in terms of atmosphere and story beats. However, the game hits a few roadblocks and spins its wheels, failing to deliver an inspiring experience.
New Star Wars book hints at a time skip between The Mandalorian season 3 and The Mandalorian and Grogu
A new Star Wars book, The Mandalorian: The Visual Guide, suggests a time skip will occur between the end of The Mandalorian season 3 and the upcoming film, The Mandalorian and Grogu. The book indicates that Din Djarin and Grogu have settled on Nevarro and made a life for themselves, implying a passage of time since their last appearance.
Screamer Review | NoobFeed
Screamer is a racing game that successfully blends arcade roots with modern gameplay, featuring a compelling story with anime references and deep driving/combat mechanics. The game requires strategic planning and quick reflexes, offering an exciting experience on Xbox Series X.
More Than a Roster Update: Why Sports Games Must Invest in Storytelling
This article argues that sports video games like NBA 2K and WWE 2K should move beyond simple roster updates and invest more in deep, RPG-style storytelling within their career modes. Implementing meaningful narratives would create stronger player connections, justify annual purchases, and provide new marketing opportunities beyond cover athletes and graphical improvements.
How can your game win the 'attention war?' Turn to storytelling
This article discusses how game developers can win the 'attention war' by focusing on storytelling. It references a GDC chat with Andrew Eiche, CEO of Owlchemy Labs, who shared an anecdote about technical difficulties at a podcast recording.
Fan discovers alternative Resident Evil Requiem final boss and it’s a massive improvement
A fan has discovered datamined files for an alternative final boss in Resident Evil Requiem, suggesting a more compelling encounter than the one present in the released game. The article discusses how the game's ending, particularly the boss fight against Victor Gideon, felt rushed and poorly executed, with plot points potentially changed last minute. This discovery fuels speculation about the game's development and Capcom's handling of its narrative.
