About the nomination

In this nomination, we celebrate games in which the plot and/or the method of presenting it is much more priority than the gameplay directly. In such projects, a strong story can outweigh any disadvantages.

Fifth place – a Plague Tale: Innocence

A Plague Tale gameplay was quite average: in some places the action sags, in places, on the contrary, rushes gallop. But the incredible atmosphere of dying Europe with an easy share of mysticism is doing his job. And most importantly – we see all this with a pure and irritable gaze of two children who grow up before our eyes. Sometimes the “director” tries to catch up with the player horror with banal and hackneyed methods like mountains of corpses or whirlwinds from rats (sic!).

But the game clings anyway, sorry for the pun, completely not childishly an amazing and terrible story about children who are forced to be cruel in response to the cruelty of adults. If this was not a game, but a book – it would have turned out a mix of "Lord of Flies" and the novels of Viktor Hugo with an easy admixture of Lovecraft. And yes, it is difficult to recall at least another game in which the children were so convincing and alive (including vulnerable), and did not look like a “younger version of adults” who can do everything and look at a nightmare that reigning around them with cold calmness.

Fourth place – AFTERPARTY

The ability to build a story that surprises and touches, and give it so that the player does not miss a minute, studio Night School Demonstrated in Oxenfree. And in AFTERPARTY The developers were able to repeat the advantages of the predecessor, not repeating in general. It was easy to turn the story of students who died https://sister-site.org/giant-wins/ mild and who fell into hell, into a horror or tearful melodrama. However, Night School told her with irony and thin black humor, without canceling the ambiguity, depth and wise thoughts.

Characters, like local hell, are opened gradually. Interesting and ambiguous ones came out that young sinners, that demons living in a bright neon underworld, where the noise of discos and drunken parties does not subside until the morning. The shy Milo and the stubborn Lola will have to make a complex moral choice more than once; And although the general plot canvas in any case will come to a happy finale, only the player decides what conclusions the heroes will draw from what happened and which cockroaches will be thrown out of their head.

With repeated passage, there is every chance of getting a new plot, choosing another wig and a way to achieve goals: what are only hellish cocktails that open Milo and Lole new remarks in dialogs, making them bolder, rude or smart! Looking at the local swill, I just want to try everything-the benefit of Afterparty is a little longer than Oxenfree and runs in 7-8 hours.

Third place – Judgment

When developing Judgment Scriptwriters Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Faced with a difficult task: enter into a reckless world Yakuza deliberately serious heroes and tell a gloomy, plausible story. And they coped with her perfectly! Having pushed back the jokes, absurd situations and romance to the background, they managed to create a tense detective with original turns and unobtrusive morality.

Judgment holds the intrigue until the finals, at an ideal pace, revealing new circumstances of the investigation and simultaneously revealing the characters of the characters. Police and Yakuza, detectives and lawyers, informants and noble street hooligans, are full of actors here, and the story of each of them is carefully woven into a common plot canvas. No extra details and not shooting rifles: the connections between events that at first seemed to be unimportant or introduced purely for drama are obvious to the finale. And the heroes during the passage become practically native. The cinematography of the narrative and a talented acting game that rare television procedures can boast of this is a lot.

Second place – Telling Lies

In 2014, Sam Barlow, author Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, released Her Story – a unique game consisting of hundreds of videos and search line. The rules are simple: you can search for any word spoken in the video, but the system will give out only four chronologically the first result. And this means that the player must independently delve into the essence of the narrative and try more accurate, specific requests. Remember the names and topics of conversations, make a chronology of what is happening in the head, to carry out, in fact, the work of the detective. Unique experience.

For five years that have passed from the Her Story release, no one else began to develop her ideas, so Barlow himself took up this Telling Lies. By mechanics – in fact, the same thing, but by setting – heaven and earth. Her Story was about a single woman during interrogation; Telling Lies consists of records of video calls of four people throughout their lives.

In other words, in this game we have to compare dialogs, the communication of two characters – to follow who, with whom, what is talking about; who is sincere and who is lying; What will this lead in the future. We see heroes in a variety of situations, often very everyday and even intimate ones – and their conversations are so vividly written and blestly played that it is impossible not to believe. Telling Lies not only gives us another rare opportunity to reveal ourselves as a detective through a search engine, but also shows that a video with living actors still has a huge undisclosed potential in games.

First place – Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium The devilishly smart. The script simply shouts that he was written by aesthetes who thought about each situation and every line of dialogs for more than one year. The concept is already ambitious: what if every emotion of a prick-loser will have its own voice? That if the nervous system of the protagonist, exhausting from a terrible hangover, can intervene in the interrogation of the witness? Or, for example, his clumsy tie with an equally loud character?

In words, this idea sounds too grandiose, but by some miracle it works. With all its literary talent and ornate game with words and topics, studio ZA/UM For a minute he does not forget what story wants to tell. Disco Elysium is a story about a sick, broken person who lives (survives) in the same sick and broken world as he himself. From the inside, the load of his own mistakes and the forgotten past tearing it out, and on the outside – a bite for power, where each faction is not averse.

At the same time, the developers do not even expect that you will come out of the water dry. They know that you will be mistaken more than once, but do not punish these mistakes, but beat them – as a master leading the party in D&D. When the hero proves that he is a truly brilliant detective, you are worse for him; когда он творит абсурдные вещи и спотыкается о все грабли на своём пути — над ним смеёшься. In principle, it is impossible to play “wrong” in Disco Elysium: in any case, you will be waiting for the most thoughtful, inventive and memorable story since the time Planescape: Torment.

The main thing is do not listen to a tie. He does not understand the devil in women.

And what narrative games this year you remember? What stories sunk into the soul? Write in the comments!

The boy Kutaro inexplicably falls on the moon, where a full mess reigns: an evil bear dictator, generally-generals (among others-a robotic bull and a weak-minded dog), fattening in the field, and the local population was either shaved into soldiers or hypnotized.

Kutaro loses his head in the first second and, having put on the shoulders of the first sphere, goes to lunar tours with revolutionary activities. And a cunning flying cat, a fairy with a vocabulary of a difficult teenager and an old witch, whose motives do not fully help help him.

The back of the moon

Puppeteer interprets the expression “The whole world – theater” literally, the game tells the story within the framework of the puppet scene with all the ensuing. The screen frames the magnificent curtain, the sunbeam vigorously comments on what is happening, enthusiastic exclamations come from the hall from time to time. Meanwhile, there is such that real puppet theaters can be safely closed on the stage: the levels-decorations are multi-layered in the frame, constantly recalling where you are. The fire is cut out by a cardboard accordion, the moon hangs on the threads, the characters, pacing on the stage, sparkle with uneven seams.

[[Bullet]] wonderful work with light. To simulate something similar in this theater, a separate staff of employees would be needed.

Fair Beauty hits the eyes; Each frame seems to be literally equipped with an artist in the scenery. You can peer into the depths of the scene to infinity – there are thousands of small details from which a magical atmosphere is intertwined: in the kitchen, for example, they thunder plates, spoons sing in chorus, and we take the next mountain of unwashed utensils.

This is probably one of the few games that can be shown to unprepared people, without risking to get a bewildered look in response: an Exclusive Casino sister sites interactive theater, see the same!

Scissors are to blame for everything

Unlike appearance, the game is based on the most ordinary platform mechanics. The hero wields magic scissors like construction beams. To jump over the next hole, you need to cut some piece of decoration-it helps to stay in the air longer and overcome wide pits. Over time, the idea is developed – bombs, a superior and a magic shield appear that are used in puzzles – however, Kutaro will not part with the scissors to the final credits.

[[Bullet]] In puppeteer, theatrical two -dimensionality is often broken: the characters not only jump out to the forefront, but can also fly deep into the scenes. Such techniques in 3D mode look especially great.

The assistant characters who can control the second player are neatly introduced into this simple formula. At first, this is a completely Carroll cat, later – minor fairy. Partners have a simpler task. They welt according to the background, knocking out of knightly costumes, window openings, or, say, kastings of pots magic sparks – an analogue of coins. They also know how to turn their heads to aggressive soldiers (if the first player hesitates) and supply Kutaro with new heads (we remind you from it).

[Bullet]] The game often parodies the mass culture – for example, one of the gloomy stories of Tim Burton will play in this cemetery.

It turns out the sweetest scheme: a person familiar with games performs the usual routine of jumping over the pits and the solution of simple riddles, and the less -fed comrade supports it – flies in level, tickles ancient decorations and, of course, enjoys the entourage and history. A similar cooperative was Nintendo V Super Mario Galaxy. It's a pity, not full, but to play, say, with a child – just right.

Chizhika ate

The only problem is that you get tired of Puppeteer quickly. Rubing the words of the classic: the perfect play should last no more than is able to withstand the bladder. Puppeteer three times exceeds the permissible norm, instead of two to three hours-all ten. Like not a puppet theater, but an antique tragedy of Aeschylus. The narrative is primarily suffered from a stretched timing, the story sometimes sags, going to a second round: only you defeated one villain, as almost the same falls from the sky. And the whole whistle.

[[Bullet]] In some moments, “Puppeteer” photography resembles Littlebigplanet. Well, both games made Sony, so it has the right!

It was still possible to play a map with polygotism more effectively – not in every game the main character changes the most important part of the body as gloves. Here this moment is almost littered, different forms of heads almost do not affect the passage – they must be used in certain points to include bonus levels. Since you can carry no more than three plywood pumpkins with you, you will never guess which of them will require the next turn, you can go to Puppeteer several times, but not open all hidden content.

There are many more complaints about the game. As a platformer, it is standard to the offensive and from colleagues by genre nothing other than an unusual way of moving, the same simple puzzles and regular falls from the cliff. At the end, it can easily fence for: behind the back of a few kilometers of cut chips, a button responsible for the scissors, is already overwhelmed, and all of us are chased along the scenery cast -up from cardboard.

But in fact, Puppeteer is completely not wanting to scold. There is a piece product in front of us, this is produced once every few years, and, as a rule, in the form of a three -skin indie. Here, obviously expensive, kaleidoscope-bright and beautiful game, whose only minus is in a somewhat stencil approach to mechanics. Well, the dog with him.

Reigracy:

Cool plot:

Originality:

Easy to master:

Gameplay:

7

Graphics:

10

Sound and music:

9

Interface and management:

9

Waited?

Daring spit towards the same type of reality: the story of the fall of the totalitarian regime, played in the surroundings of the puppet theater.

Mania rating: 8.5

"Great"

Act is the first

Actors

In Puppeteer, a lot of characters who are clearly drawn from senior comrades-and the references hesitate from direct, even directly postmodern borrowing to a slightly disguised curtsy.

1) The villain Bear / Fat Media ("Three Fat Men", Yuri Olesha)

Strictly speaking, a despotistical bear can be compared with any evil ruler, but he is especially similar to domestic three fat people – the same clumsiness and indefatigable gluttony; No wonder the scene from the game with royal cuisine can serve as an interactive illustration for the novel. And, by the way, there was also a doll.

2) Cat Yin-Yan / Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll)

Well, everything is obvious here-a mysterious, either-or-one-or-foam, sparkling with a mustache character. Shows his contented face rarely and only then, in order to dictate invented aphorism (the game cat in this regard even distiliates the book) and disappear, leaving Fleur in the air of mysterious understatement.

3) Old witch / Yubaba ("Safeed by Ghosts", Hayao Miyazaki)

In addition to a strong external resemblance, two witches are close and character: a gross, even villainous manner of staying with strangers, the constant persecution of personal, often mercenary, motives. However, a good nature hides behind an unattractive shell – you just have to choose the key.

Although Blizzcon is primarily intended for Blizzard fans, and not for the press, all guests of the exhibition are invariably expected from the hosts of at least some fresh announcements. On the sidelines, talking about possible new products most often crawled to discuss the mysterious Titan project, about which it is only known that it is in development and will be a multi -user RPG. As a result, not a word about the super -secret game again sounded at the exhibition. Instead, Blizzard announced what everyone was waiting for – another addition to World of Warcraft.

Foggy future

Mists of Pandaria , as the developers called the new addon, both expected and absolutely unexpected. With regard to content, the main surprise was to choose a new playable race. She became Pandarins. Many fans of World of Warcraft have long been looking at these straight pands. According to company representatives, they began to receive the first requests for the addition of the Pandarins at the time Burning Crusade. The time has passed since then, and the pleas give fans the opportunity to be in the game with a fat bear-sundoled all did not run exhausted. So their appearance in the list of indigenous people, World of Warcraft looks absolutely logical (and even a little belated).

[[Bullet]] Pandarins are not the only inhabitants of new lands. This is, say, a village of Narodsya called Hoza.

Logical and choosing a new game zone – pandaria. This is a mysterious eastern continent inhabited by Panaren. For thousands of years, he was hidden from human eyes with the help of powerful magic. Pandaria was a real paradise on Earth – a country of balance and harmony. Until the magic has died out, and the first representatives of the Alliance and the Horde did not land on the shores of the blessed continent. They brought with them not only news about what happened in the outside world in the last few centuries, but also hatred of each other, which violated the balance of natural forces. Even Pandarins themselves – peaceful and positive guys – were drawn into an endless war and were forced to choose on whose side to fight.

Pandomania

This, by the way, is a very important point. The fact is that Pandarins are the first in the history of World of Warcraft neutral playable race. The developers, however, say that they were once going to make neutral goblins, but never gathered. The reason for the neutrality of the bears again lies in increased demand for them. “If we made Pandadaren of the Horde race, then before the second coming, mailboxes from alliance letters would be raked from alliance,” explains the game director of World of Warcraft Tom Chilton. – And vice versa. Glotted the bears of the Stormword, we would not have addressed troubles with the Horde. ".

[[Bullet]] Pandaren monk Performing Crane – despite the comic appearance, Pandarins can stand up for themselves and can, for example, do like this. Now imagine in the same pose.

True, the racial affiliation of Pantarenov affected the list of classes available to them. For example, Druids should not be. The authors explain this decision to the absurd simply: "Imagine a bear that suddenly turned … into a bear".

Together with Pandarins, a new class will also appear in World of Warcraft – monks, masters of eastern martial arts. It will differ quite strongly from other classes. So, the monks will not have an automatic attack at all, each new reception will have to be carried out manually, even if it is the easiest basic blow.

[[Bullet]] Initially, monks in World of Warcraft are peaceful creatures, literally obsessed with harmony. But the war even from the lamb is able to make a wolf. Especially if the lamb and so knew fifty -eight ways to kill a person with bare hands.

In addition, the monks will have several tanks with energy at once. The first is the energy of Chi. Its level, as well as the level of mana or rage, is displayed by a strip under the health meter. Spent chi on simple attacks. Those, in turn, accumulate “dark” and “bright energy”, which are necessary to activate more advanced techniques.

The Order of the Big Puse

As the release date of the original WoW is immersed deeper into the abyss of the past, the developers with each addition increase the rates. Starting with the obvious – adding new zones and races to Burning Crusade – they managed to restart the content of the game in Cataclysm, and Mists of Pandaria promise to completely process many key elements of gameplay.

[[Bullet]] Starting zone Panarenov – a floating island located on the back of a giant turtle. Where and why she floats is still unknown.

The main "victim" of the reformers was, without a doubt, a talent system. If, in previous versions of the game, WoW simply gave out once in a level on a bonus point, which could be spent on one of about a billion perks distributed on three development branches, then after the release of Mists of Pandaria, everything will be completely different.

"How was the pumping in the" classical "wow? – tells Tom. -You made two truly important decisions: you chose the main and additional development branches. And then everything came down to petty questions such as “I should choose this talent, which a little improves one aspect of the character, or there is one that reinforces the other aspect to the same insignificant share”.

Over the years, Blizzard designers have matured that the system must somehow be changed so that the player perceives absolutely every solution about the further development of the hero as a key. Therefore, Mists of Pandaria will have no points and talent ranks. Instead of them, the game will offer you to choose one of three fundamental improvements every fifteen levels. According to the developers, rethought talents will make World of Warcraft more interesting, help to finally solve the problem of standard builds and will allow you to create unimaginable hybrids before.

[[Bullet]] inspired by eastern teachings, the developers of Mists of Pandaria seemed to have adopted the Asians not only the stereotypical passion for martial arts. Here in this screenshot, Pandaren takes care of Bonsai. We really hope that this will become a new in -game profession.

“I was one of the people who created the original system, so if someone is attached to it, then this is me,” answers the accusations of excessive “simplification” of the game and advises everyone first to try Mists of Pandaria in the case, and only then put her verdict. – The same thing happened when we changed the game before the release of Cataclysm. We were also told that the talent system supposedly “became too simple”, but it seems to me that all changes – for the better and make World of Warcraft more interesting ”.

On a short leash

Blizzard left another curious innovation for a snack for those who did not have time to surge from the main announcement. Manual animals in World of Warcraft over the years. Penguins, white bears, robots – who just did not trample the Earth Wow side on the side with the players. But so far these creatures did not have any real application. Unless to demonstrate to all others that the owner of the pet was sober enough to log in to the game on the New Year or on the next birthday of World of Warcraft. Mists of Pandaria will change and this. Pets will finally get out of the master's shadow and at least for a couple of minutes to become real heroes of the show.

[[Bullet]] about how new zones look, you can compose poems. It is amazing how Blizzard manages to squeeze such a picture from a decrepit engine.

“Almost all” pets available in the game will be able to participate in step -by -step battles. Moreover, they will have different abilities and properties, which over time can be improved. In addition, “wild” pets will appear in WOW, on which it will be possible to hunt and, with https://sister-site.org/playojo/ a certain luck, add to your menagerie. Especially for the convenience of future hunters, Blizzard promises to introduce a special encyclopedia into the game, where all varieties of military animals, their habitats and habits will be described. The latter included in the list for a reason, but because some animals leave the den, for example, only at night, while others – only in the rain, like worms. The new system will not influence the main gameplay (the developers themselves describe it as “parallel”).

Developers World of Warcraft even a little sorry. On the one hand, they just have to come up with something unexpected over and over again, compose some new moves in order to avoid accusations of self-citing and continue to surprise fans. On the other hand, any more or less serious changes will inevitably meet a sharply negative reaction of some of the wow fans.

Nevertheless, it seems to us personally that with her whole biography, Blizzard deserved a little trust. These are people who themselves are very careful about innovation and are in no hurry to swing the boat. And most importantly – these are very talented and experienced people who still have not disappointed us. Therefore, even if the pandas seem stupid to you, and the new talent system is perceived as a disaster … do not rush.

We are talking about any other company, we would also take many news about Mists of Pandaria skeptical, and we would have answered with laughter at the announcement of the fighting system for pets (it is too reminiscent of the Pokemon series). But this is Blizzard. A company that seems to simply not know how not to keep the brand.