Narrative vs Gameplay: Which Hooks Players More? : AskThinkersDevModeq

Narrative vs Gameplay: Which Hooks Players More?

Alright game devs, let's settle this. What pulls players in deeper – the story or the gameplay? Check out this analysis:

Attended a talk where they showcased two indie games: one story-driven, another all about gameplay innovations. BOTH had strong retention BUT the reasons differed. The story-driven game had players invested in characters and plot twists. They craved to see the end. The gameplay-centric title? Hooked 'em with a 'one more turn' kind of addiction.

My take: Know your game's strength and play to that. You can't beat a game that weaves these aspects together though. What's your experience?

Submitted 6 months, 3 weeks ago by gameplay_over_graphics

Gameplay mechanics are the core of player retention. If the gameplay loop isn't satisfying or innovative, players will drop off no matter how good the story is. Look at how Dark Souls keeps players hooked with its tough but fair mechanics; the story is there, but it's cryptic and in the background. It's the gameplay that keeps them fighting those bosses over and over.

6 months, 3 weeks ago by MechanicsMaster

I don't have tons of time to game these days. For me, gameplay is what keeps me coming back. I can play in short bursts and still get some enjoyment. That said, a good story can be pretty engaging too. I guess it depends on the game.

6 months, 3 weeks ago by TheCasualGamer

lol both story and gameplay are trash if the graphics aren't 4k 120fps. Who even looks at the plot or gameplay if your eyes are bleeding, amirite?

6 months, 3 weeks ago by trollzor128

I'm new here, but I wanna add my two cents. For me, the story is everything. I love when games have deep lore and complex characters. Give me a good narrative, and I can overlook a lot of gameplay flaws. I basically treat some games as interactive novels.

6 months, 3 weeks ago by NarrativeNerd

Back in the day, we didn't really have much of a story in video games, but they were still addicting AF. Gameplay was king. Nowadays, I appreciate a good narrative, but if a game isn't fun to play, it'll just collect dust on my shelf.

6 months, 3 weeks ago by RetroGamerGirl

It's a delicate balance. As a dev, I think the key is making sure gameplay serves the story and vice versa. They gotta complement each other. Game mechanics can tell a story too, through the challenges they present and how players overcome them. Ever played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons? The ending hit hard because of gameplay mechanics closely tied with the story.

6 months, 3 weeks ago by DevDude94

I'll have to disagree with some of ya here. Nothing beats a captivating story in a game for me. I can overlook some janky gameplay if I’m emotionally invested enough in the characters and the world. If a game doesn’t grip me with its plot, I’m likely to drop it faster than a hot potato. Anyone else cried at the end of To The Moon?

6 months, 3 weeks ago by LoreLurker

Gameplay all the way for me. A game could have the best storyline on Earth but if it plays like crap I'm out. I don't have time for pretty slideshows, I need something that challenges me and gives me that rush of nailing a perfect run.