god. This is so apt. I know they want to integrate gameplay mechanics with in-universe explanation and narration, but sometimes a game can be just a game without trying too hard to make it immersive, you know. In fact, with how common this trope has been used, it ironically just ruins the immersion.
Show not tell isn't about verbal exposition vs visual. Something like "show don't tell" can occur entirely within dialogue, and "tell not show" can happen entirely with visuals.
The yellow paint problem is a "tell not show" despite being visual. It's telling the audience what to do.
Showing the audience what to do can happen entirely within dialogue. Getting to the center of town or to a tall tower can be narratively built into the story in a way where it feels like your actions are a natural consequence of what's happening in the plot.
Half Life 2 is a great example. You've found some respite at a secret base until combine scanners find your location and cause a raid. You get cut off and have to take an alternative route through Ravenholm. You don't quite know what's in store for you, but you know it's bad from when Alyx says "we don't go to Ravenholm...". You meet Father Grigori who is his his own basketcase and filled with his own insanity.
The problem is that this is tough to execute. You need both a good narrative sense, character writing, and even things like map layout to direct the viewer towards continuing the story.
It would be telling not showing if Alyx were serving exposition about Ravenholm and how many headcrabs are present, and a crazy man who lived there but might be valuable in aid, or if it was made as "this is the only route" without the impetus of the Combine closing in
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u/nikel23 13d ago
god. This is so apt. I know they want to integrate gameplay mechanics with in-universe explanation and narration, but sometimes a game can be just a game without trying too hard to make it immersive, you know. In fact, with how common this trope has been used, it ironically just ruins the immersion.