Adventure Forums - View Single Post - How are adventure game "puzzles" separate from "story"?

Lucien21 · 08-25-2008, 02:42 PM

I think they are still seperate.

Solving the puzzles and exploration are how we as players interact with the plot.

The plot or continuation of the plot is the reward for overcoming the obstacles/puzzles.

They have to be a distinct gamplay element because without them you are left with a non-interactive movie or a book.

I think what people mean is that it is preferrable if the there is an internal logic to the puzzles in keeping with the plot and characters you are playing. i.e In most detective games it's not unheard of to dust for fingerprints, question witnesses etc, but having your character bake cookies in the middle of an investigation might jar with the ongoing narrative, seem out of character and thus lose the immersion factor.

I also think there is also plenty of scope of adventure games outwith the traditional detective genre that would be innovative.

08-25-2008, 02:42 PM	#2
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	I think they are still seperate. Solving the puzzles and exploration are how we as players interact with the plot. The plot or continuation of the plot is the reward for overcoming the obstacles/puzzles. They have to be a distinct gamplay element because without them you are left with a non-interactive movie or a book. I think what people mean is that it is preferrable if the there is an internal logic to the puzzles in keeping with the plot and characters you are playing. i.e In most detective games it's not unheard of to dust for fingerprints, question witnesses etc, but having your character bake cookies in the middle of an investigation might jar with the ongoing narrative, seem out of character and thus lose the immersion factor. I also think there is also plenty of scope of adventure games outwith the traditional detective genre that would be innovative. __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!