Saturday 9 March 2019

Great story, right?

THE PROBLEMS

The Story - This has been a big problem for me, since I absolutely loved the game's setting but abhorred the lack of story. The game is amazing, and the developers have previously commented that it was inspired by "a candle in the darkness". That idea echoes throughout the game, from all alien races posing a threat, to the imminent fear of the unknown.

The story parts of the game are the cutscenes with your playable character and either the ghost or other side characters.
Players have asked, "Why couldn't we go to other systems?" Well, within the context of the story, it makes perfect sense. You can't go to other systems, unless you want to be devoured by creatures in the darkness. The one source of light in the universe (presumably) is the Traveller, who died before the game began. His shell remains as a light source for the Guardians, who seek to defeat the forces of darkness that plague the universe.


Great story, right? Well, that's actually just the setting. The actual plot of the game is nearly nonexistent. The story parts of the game scr888 are the cutscenes with your playable character and either the ghost or other side characters. These never go anywhere, instead furthering a plot that ends abruptly with a boss fight-based conclusion, which only caps the end of the game without ending the story. The actual story concludes with a scene reminiscent of the ending to Star Wars: A New Hope, but more enigmatic and pointless.

Yes, I know, expansions are coming so a conclusion would be premature. However, I expected some kind of narrative structure, some format where an introduction, body, and conclusion were present. Instead we get a setting without a plot, a story that was so interesting, so tantalizingly teasing, that went nowhere. What are the goals of the Queen and her brother? Where are the Vex going, and why? Are there more Travelers out there? We get few answers, and even fewer characters.

Great story, right?

THE PROBLEMS The Story - This has been a big problem for me, since I absolutely loved the game's setting but abhorred the lack of stor...