All articles tagged with #narrative
Overwatch launches a new story arc with Vendetta defeating Doomfist, a move that split fans and drew attention to how the villain is treated. Blizzard says the controversy is intentional to hook players for the year’s narrative, with Doomfist’s status still unclear and referenced mainly through lore as the arc unfolds.
At Cannes promoting Paper Tiger, Miles Teller says he stopped doing press profiles after a 2015 Esquire piece labeled him as kind of a dick, arguing that off-camera interviews can be misquoted and he wants to control his narrative because negativity sells; he emphasizes that you can’t hide who you are on set.
Supermassive Games’ fifth Dark Pictures entry, Directive 8020, drops players on a crash‑landed spaceship with a focus on branching dialogue, crew dynamics, and impostor threats. It boasts its best visuals yet and supports Explorer, Survivor, and online co‑op modes, but the hands‑on demo felt more suspense‑lite than terrifying, with a stealth section that lacked tension and a cutscene gun use that undermined player agency. Still, the game promises many endings and brutal deaths, hinting at a potentially tense sci‑fi horror experience in the full release.
Cairn is a tense climbing-survival game that follows elite climber Aava as she attempts the never-before-climbed Mount Kami. Players must manage ropework, pitons, water, food, and injuries while reading the mountain and confronting the pull of obsession. The experience blends peril with awe, offering assist options to ease the challenge, and culminates in a powerful ending that lingers emotionally.
Indie studio Studio Rassvet announced I Have No Change, a first-person narrative game set in a melancholic Russian night kiosk where you run the shop as 27-year-old Matvey, interacting with a range of customers and exploring themes of stagnation and dreams. The game emphasizes slice-of-life storytelling, detailed visuals, expressive characters, and a locally-inspired soundtrack, with PC (Steam) release planned but no date yet.
The article reflects on the appeal of mystery in video games in 2025, highlighting titles like 'The Roottrees Are Dead,' 'The Seance of Blake Manor,' and 'Blue Prince,' which explore themes of family secrets, folklore, and endless exploration, emphasizing how these games mirror the human quest for understanding and peace with the unknown.
The article discusses the 2025 Movie Club, highlighting films that explore complex themes like narrative, community, and tragedy, with a particular focus on the film 'Weapons,' which subtly examines the aftermath of a tragedy in a small town without providing clear explanations, emphasizing the ambiguous and often incomprehensible nature of such events.
Battlefield 6's campaign emphasizes squad-based gameplay and realistic, grounded storytelling inspired by current global conflicts, with a mix of open and scripted missions. The game also integrates narrative elements into multiplayer, creating a cohesive universe, and focuses on the experience of ordinary soldiers rather than elite units, aiming to deliver a grounded military experience.
Ken Levine, creator of BioShock, updates fans on his new game Judas, revealing it lacks a set villain, features complex character dynamics, and is unlikely to release before 2026, with many details still under wraps.
Mafia: The Old Country is a concise, story-driven game with dated design elements but strong performances and a compelling narrative, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of mob stories despite its simplicity and some gameplay flaws.
and Roger is a $5, hour-long narrative puzzle game for Switch and PC that explores the emotional story of an elderly couple dealing with dementia, using challenging gameplay to evoke empathy and reflection. It’s highly recommended for its impactful storytelling and affordability.
The Alters by 11 bit studios is a challenging sci-fi strategy game that features a compelling narrative about cloning and human nature, with well-crafted characters and innovative gameplay, despite some accessibility and difficulty limitations.
Assassin's Creed franchise boss Marc-Alexis Coté discussed the series' struggle to maintain a cohesive modern-day narrative after the end of Desmond Miles' story in Assassin's Creed 3. The series faced challenges with inconsistent storytelling and a lack of focus on historical exploration. Coté announced plans to integrate future games through a single launcher, emphasizing a balance between historical and modern narratives. The upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows aims to restore this balance, focusing on themes like memory and identity, while addressing contemporary issues through historical contexts.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, released on May 21, 2024, is a narrative-rich game that benefits from multiple playthroughs to fully grasp its complex emotional and societal themes. The game’s dense dialogue and character interactions, along with unlockable narrations from NPCs, provide deeper insights into the story and characters, making a second playthrough essential for a comprehensive understanding of the game’s narrative.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth captures the janky spirit of the original game by embracing its unrefined charm and introducing a variety of new ideas, minigames, and mechanics in every chapter. The game's narrative weaves together ambitious themes, and its approach to incorporating disparate pieces flowing together emulates the spirit of the original. While the minigame-focused experience may not appeal to everyone and could potentially affect the pacing of the main story, Rebirth stands out as a gutsy and memorable addition to the series.