Excuse Me, Your Cut Scene is In My Game

Via GameSetWatch, an interesting critique of game cut scenes at the blog ItBurns. He compares and contrasts several games and their use of story, gameplay, and in-game movies (with video) to get across his point. "Splinter Cell takes a more simulative approach to many of the character interactions that occur in the game. In the next clip, Sam Fisher grabs his target, Sadono, from behind and places a gun at his temple. Using Sadono as a shield, Fisher backs towards the door and forces Sadono's head into the retinal scanner to open the lock. Fisher continues through the doorway towards the roof, interrogating Sadono as they walk to the waiting helicopter for extraction. At no time during this sequence does the player relinquish control."

Comments

What I hate is not the cut scenes themselves...

[physicsboy500]

... but instead, cut scenes that end with you being hurled back into the action without warning. I've known several games where I sit back and enjoy watching the plot develop or thicken during a cut scene only to find myself reloading a save point after being hurled into a gunbattle with little warning and no time to think.

It's even more annoying when you,re REQUIRED to watch the cut scene again and again in order to get back into that action.

Re:Rendering Power

[twosmokes]

You're pretty much on rails. Really Splinter Cell is a terrible example of being able to control your character. It's been a long time since I played it (and only the first one), but from what I remember you have to just stand there and listen to dialog until you get a "Mission Accomplished" message. I think you can drag the guy around, but the level of interactivity stops there.

On top of that, I believe right after that there's a.... cut-scene. The type where you watch a little movie.

Re:Rendering Power

[Kidbro]

- Elder Scrolls (I only played III and IV, but they both qualify)
- EVE Online
- Elite
- Sim City & clones

I see you contesting someone else's claim that Oblivion isn't railed.. and I honestly do not understand what your criteria is, then. I fail to see how a game can get much more free than the Elder Scrolls games. They can become bigger, yes, but less railed? Doubtful.