Video Games

I do not know whether video games could ever be considered as art, but I most definitely do think that games tell a better story than oral stories, literature, and films. I have been playing video games since I was younger and I still do now. Though video games have evolved over time, they all revolve around a main character that has some obstacle to overcome.  This is where the story for a video game comes in and the ideas of the creators are conveyed to the gamers.

When I was younger, I played simple video games with basic story lines that were easy to understand. No matter how many times I played the same game, I would experience the same joy as when I first played it. The depth of the story never really mattered because I was just glad to play the game. As I grew up, the type of games I played changed as well. Now, the most vital thing I look for in a game is how entertaining I think the story will be. For example, take Grand Theft Auto IV.  The main character is Niko Bellic and he is a fresh off the boat immigrant that wants a new life in Liberty City.  This is what Niko says at first but as you play the game and the story develops you find out that what he really came to America for was revenge. His life in Liberty City and all his adventures, whether he was helping or killing someone, is the story that the gamer must unfold and there is no dull moment in between. The game is so complex, that depending on what actions you take the story will take a different path and every play through will be different.  Another great example is the God of War games. These games by far are my favorite because they connect me with a world of Greek mythologies that I would have never known.

In God of War, the main character is Kratos and he is a servant or slave, depending on which side of his wrath you find yourself on, to the Gods of Olympus. In each of the games Kratos is faced with task set upon him by the Gods usually delivered to him by Athena. He is always reluctant to do what they ask but always ends up swallowing his pride. He hopes that they will hold up their end of the deal and forgive him for murdering his family, but after repeatedly not getting what he works for he turns on the Gods of Olympus and does what he wants after becoming the new God of War. This angers all the Gods of Olympus and causes Zeus to interfere. He tricks Kratos into becoming mortal again and kills him all in the beginning of the second game! The rest of the series is Kratos’s attempt to get back at the Gods of Olympus and ultimately killing them all for their lies. Though these games are very violent they do have a very entertaining storyline behind them that should be experienced.

For me, video games have provided me with the best stories I’ve ever experienced. They are more entertaining than any piece of artwork or book I have read. They keep you interacted at every point and with the games today every time you play through the story you will experince something new everytime. I would for sure pick a video game story above any other any day of week.