Logic or Lack Thereof

Maybe because I’ve been spoiled by the decades of exposure to classic literature but to me, a decent story is one of the most important features in RPG. Along with the meaningful C&C, multiple ways of completing quests and interesting NPC, of course. And when I say ‘a decent story’ I don’t mean a bunch of cobbled together quests. Regrettably, it looks like the storylines are built the same way your kids stack LEGO bricks – by mixing and matching. The Awful Storytelling syndrome is my personal pet peeve.

When was the last time you played a game that had an original, cohesive story that did not make you yawn, roll your eyes or reach for your Flaming Sword, +20 against Developers? Ten years ago?

Should a story set in a fantasy world appear credible at all times? Should the simple logic be routinely sacrificed for the sake of a dramatic effect?

Let’s examine one of the latest and greatest games – Mass Effect – an epic space opera with a complex and rather entertaining story that would have been great if it had not been plagued by Hollywood clichés and logical inconsistencies. I am going to set the clichés aside for awhile.

First, a few examples of ME logic malfunction:

Example #1 Normandy is headed towards a peaceful human colony called Eden Prime where some researchers unearthed an ancient doohickey. The objective is to retrieve the device. The crew feels uneasy because there is a Spectre on-board. Spectres are super-awesome badasses operating above the law, just like Steven Segal; trouble is their middle name. We learn that this particular Spectre, Nihlus, is supposed to observe and evaluate Commander Shepard to make sure he/she is sufficiently awesome to become the first ever human Spectre. Now, what exactly Nihlus is going to evaluate? Shepard’s ability to wear a cheap spacesuit and carry four low-level guns on his/her back? Shepard’s communication skills? I thought it was just a simple pick-up operation?

Fortunately, the mission quickly becomes ‘a little more complicated’, thanks to the inventive BioWare writers, and you blow a sigh of relief. Nihlus is apparently going to jump at the opportunity to observe and evaluate Shepard’s awesomeness in real action. That would be logical, right? Wrong. This is a BioWare game. Instead of sticking around with a pen and a clipboard, Nihlus rushes alone in the harm’s way and gets himself killed. Practically like that greenhorn Jenkins. Isn’t an elite super-agent supposed to be smarter than that? So much for super-awesomeness and badassness.

Example #2 The Council governing the Galaxy consists of three (tres; trios; die Drie) members. ‘nuff said.

Example #3 We meet Wrex, a gruff (in a clichéd way), armed to the teeth (obligatory 4 guns) mercenary hired by the Shadow Broker to assassinate some bad guy, loitering in the… C-sec. What the hell is Wrex doing in C-sec, of all places? Why, he is openly discussing his plans to commit a murder with the law enforcement officers. But if you think he is going to be arrested (which would’ve been logical), think again. It’s a BioWare game we are playing.

Example #4 Commander Shepard is on the urgent mission of finding Saren the Rogue Spectre (before Saren finds the Conduit) and saving the Galaxy. But ‘urgent’ does not really mean ‘urgent’ in this game. Every ten minutes Shepard is distracted by Admiral Bishop who asks him/her to complete various insignificant missions unrelated to the main quest. Also, Commander Shepard is welcome to explore the uncharted worlds in all their unimaginative glory and make a few bucks in the process. No rush. Anyway, this is just a filler to prolong this short game for a few tedious hours so never mind.
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Example #25 Whoever will come up with a plausible explanation as to why after Virmire Normandy has to return to the Citadel instead of going straight to Ilos to prevent Saren from using the Conduit (didn't they say it was kind of urgent and vital?), why Udina acts the way he does, and why the Council once again chooses to disregard Shepard’s testimony will get a candy.

Little things like that rub me the wrong way. The sheer amount of silliness can easily break the immersion because suspension of disbelief only works to a point.

It’s time to return to the cliché. Oh my Gawd. The only thing that’s missing is amnesia (actually, there is a bit of that too – remember how Shepard woke up after that beacon accident?). Everything else is in there:
a Chosen One – check,
the Ancients – check,
a Mysterious-Evil-beyond-your-comprehension planning to take over the world – check,
a brainwashed sidekick secretly cloning an army – check,
assorted look-alike Star Wars aliens – check,
an evil corporation – check,
hordes of zombies – check,
a corrupt politician – check,
the last second escape(s) – check,
a brooding, nerdy love interest – check,
a beautiful elven… sorry, alien sorceress (aka scientist with awesome powers) – check,
the cheesy action-movie language – check,
the good/neutral/evil dialogue options – check… check… check…

I said that before and I am going to say that again: AAA game development companies need to hire better writers.
Drew Karpyshin wrote a book called Revelation, a prequel to Mass Effect. Here is an example (a conversation between Admiral Grissom and then-Lieutenant Anderson) to elucidate my point concerning the poor quality of writing:

"Every military engagement has only three options, Lieutenant: engage, retreat, or surrender."
"We can't just turn our backs on Shanxi! We have to engage!" Anderson exclaimed. "With all due respect, sir," he added a second later, remembering who he was talking to.
"It's not that simple," Grissom explained. "This is completely unprecedented; we've never faced an enemy like this before. We know nothing about them.
"If we escalate this into a war against an alien species, we have no way to predict how it will end. They could have a fleet a thousand times the size of ours."
"We could be on the verge of starting a war that will culminate in the total annihilation of the human race." Grissom paused for emphasis, letting his words sink in. "Do you honestly think we should take that risk, Lieutenant Anderson?"
"You're asking me, sir?"
"Alliance Command wants my advice before they make their decision. But I'm not going to be on the front lines fighting the war, Lieutenant. You were a squad leader during your N7 training. I want to know what you think. Do you believe our troops are ready for this?"
Anderson frowned, thinking long and hard before he offered his answer.
"Sir, I don't think we have any other choice," he said, choosing his words carefully. "Retreat isn't an option. Now that the aliens know about us they aren't just going to sit at Shanxi and do nothing. Eventually we'll have to either engage or surrender."
"And you don't think surrender is an option?"
"I don't think humanity could survive being subjugated under alien rule," Anderson replied. "Freedom is worth fighting for."
"Even if we lose?" Grissom pressed. "This isn't just about what you're willing to sacrifice, soldier. We provoke them and this war could make its way to Earth. Think about your wife. Are you willing to risk her life for the sake of freedom?"
"I don't know, sir" was Anderson's solemn reply. "Are you willing to condemn your daughter to the life of a slave?"
"That's the answer I was looking for," Grissom said with a sharp nod. "With enough soldiers like you, Anderson, humanity just might be ready for this after all."

Ouch!