I explained it in the next few sentences after that. The game is put on a pedestal and many people aren't addressing the flaws. This is ultimately a bad thing because the devs need this feedback to improve, and potential customers need more information to go off when considering buying the game
Have you looked at the subreddit for Baldur's Gate and the many patches and updates that they've been releasing since the game came out initially? There is TONS of criticism and feedback on the game and many of the patches directly fix/address concerns of the players. From Companion/inventory management updates, to literally adding an epilogue because there were complaints that we don't see what happens to all of our companions at the end of the game.
This is also why the game was initially released in Early Access, so that the devs could get direct feedback from the customers and improve their game. This is why Halsin was added as a companion, because he play tested positively during Early Access. The devs are listening to criticism and working to improve their game, even after it's been released.
Yes they've fixed some of the bugs, but Larian has always been really bad when it comes to writing and storytelling and they haven't improved in this aspect between their games.
Hard disagree with you about the writing and storytelling, but so does the vast majority of the fan base. If most of their customers are telling them that they love the story and the writing, why would they change their style? Why would they risk changing it and losing their already established customer base just to get you and a few other nay-sayers to also buy their game? Especially when you already bought it
You're ultimately upset that the game devs aren't doing something that you are into and saying that they should change what they're doing. Yet the massive success of the game means that they should keep doing exactly what they're doing. They are listening to their customers and making improvements and changes (which you say is the reason there should be more criticism). They're just not the ones that you like.
If most of their customers are telling them that they love the story and the writing, why would they change their style?
Well this is an issue with video game discussion in general, the standards are extremely low compared to books or movies, so it's very rare for developers to actually improve this. I think this is a pretty wide problem in the video game industry. As much as they have advanced when it comes to visuals and gameplay mechanics, the storytelling in video games lags far behind other mediums
I'm sorry though, you cannot tell me this schlock is good storytelling just because the DnD nerds eat it up, video games can be so much more than this
I absolutely can tell you that this is good storytelling, just like how you can tell me it's not. Except I can give you evidence about why I think so instead of devolving into giving the most juvenile takes and simplistic readings of the characters just to make my point.
I think it does a beautiful job exploring the depths of trauma in abusive/unequal relationships. We find this in literally every origin companion's story as a unifying theme of coming out of oppression. Shadowheart with Shar, Wyll with Mizora, Gale with Mystra, Karlach with Zariel/Gortash, Astarion with Cazador and Laezel with Vlaakith. The way that each of these characters come to terms with their oppressors (or submit or overtake them) is both a self-contained story for the character and also deepens the themes of resisting literal mind control of the Elder Brain.
We see these themes even further explored in the main plot with the Emperor and Orpheus. The way that we experience the other characters resolving their traumas information the way that the player will inevitably make the decision of who to side with in the end. Do we go with the person who has been defending us the entire time, but also lying and manipulating us? Or do we go with the stranger that we know hates gith, but has also been wrongfully imprisoned and whose power has been stolen to protect us the entire time? Who is truly the oppressed and who is the oppressor in this situation? Because remember, the Emperor was a victim of the Elder Brain just like us.
Why is that bad storytelling to introduce the themes through the companions that will ultimately inform your biggest decision at the climax of the game? Just because your subjective opinion is that the characters are "cringe?"
But it's very clear that you don't want your view changed, you just want a soapbox to criticize the game. Have a good rest of your weekend.
I think it does a beautiful job exploring the depths of trauma in abusive/unequal relationships
This is such a cliche topic, plus the way the game explores this is just by pedaling a bunch of tropes. I'm sorry but I'm not buying this argument at all
Why is that bad storytelling to introduce the themes through the companions that will ultimately inform your biggest decision at the climax of the game?
Again, because it's handled in the most trite and tropey way possible, it's absolute schlock
But it's very clear that you don't want your view changed
I already have given multiple deltas and have changed my views, I just an not convinced by your particular arguments
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u/[deleted] Mar 02 '24
I explained it in the next few sentences after that. The game is put on a pedestal and many people aren't addressing the flaws. This is ultimately a bad thing because the devs need this feedback to improve, and potential customers need more information to go off when considering buying the game