Humor in games

insane_cobra · 04-04-2006, 12:30 PM

Edge Online has posted a great article about comedy in games from the April issue of Edge magazine. Among other games discussed, LucasArts classics are mentioned as benchmarks for (linear) game humor and Ron Gilbert is invited to spew some wisdom. I heartily recommend reading it.

So what for you are the most memorable funny moments from otherwise serious games? The first thing that comes to my mind is playing through Silent Hill 3 with Heather dressed in the unlockable Princess Heart costume, killing monsters with deadly beams shooting from her eyes.

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-04-2006, 12:33 PM

No One Lives Forever. Hands down.

insane_cobra · 04-04-2006, 12:35 PM

A great game for sure, but not exactly what I'd call serious.

artwking4 · 04-04-2006, 02:47 PM

KOTOR had it's funny moments, particularly with HK-47 and his "meatbag" references.

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-04-2006, 02:57 PM

Few things are more wicked funny than a conceited sadistic droid.

jjacob · 04-04-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

No One Lives Forever. Hands down.

Amen

Oh man, too bad I played that game to death, else I'd glady replay it once more (perhaps in a few years time). And I agree with KOTOR completely, definately some weird absurdistic and humourous moments in that one (and the sequel, to a lesser degree). The "Meatbag" discussion with HK was definately one of the better dialogues in the game.

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-04-2006, 04:37 PM

"That's the stupidist thing I ever heard! How can you possibly reconstitute a dehydrated human being without serious side effects?!"

- German scientist, No One Lives Forever

jjacob · 04-04-2006, 05:13 PM

Eavesdropping on guards was one of the better experiences in that game, sadly few other similar games really took advantage of those moments. Today's shooters could learn a lot from NOLF.

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-04-2006, 05:17 PM

Remember eavesdropping on that one fellow behind a door in the corridor leading to the Baroness's lair? He was saying the sweetest, most romantic, and even titillating come-ons to someone. And when you opened the door it turned out that the lucky recipient of his affections was

Spoiler:
a goat.

jjacob · 04-04-2006, 05:32 PM

ROTFLMAOOMGLOLOL11!!one Yeah, brilliant stuff, although how you remember exactly where and when you heard what amazes me, and I played the game several times! Talk about an elephant's memory

Starflux · 04-05-2006, 12:28 AM

I only played NOLF2, but I'd like to believe it was just as funny as its predecessor.

In fact, NOLF's lightheartedness was exactly the reason it was so spinechilling when it then DID turn to more dramatic events. That level where you first meet that supersoldier thingy in an abandoned lab... spinechilling atmosphere.

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-05-2006, 12:38 AM

The first NOLF was more concentrated and potent in its humour, though. It's as if you couldn't get away from it if you tried, but you didn't want to try because it was so good.

I ended up repeating that fist fight with Armstrong in the bombed out chalet over and over because I couldn't stop laughing enough to concentrate. The pain voices for Cate were so spot on, she shrieked like teenager whenever Armstrong hit her.

Flux, you seriously need to play NOLF 1.

avatar_58 · 04-05-2006, 12:45 AM

NOLF is one of the greatest humour based games out there. I also loved NOLF2, but the humour of NOLF1 is really special.

"HANS! Your dog vent doo doo over here!"

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-05-2006, 12:48 AM

Male space cad: "I think I had a little too much to drink, 'cause you're starting to look good."

Pretty girl: "Excuse me?"

Male space cad: "I'm serious. I think I can fall madly in bed with you."

Pretty girl: "Do you expect to get anywhere with that kind of filth?"

Male space cad: "Aw, c'mon sweetheart, don't be uptight. I'll take good care of you."

Pretty girl: "Heh, you're about to get slapped, cowboy!"

Male space cad: "Why?"

Pretty girl: "Because you obviously need to learn some manners."

Male space cad: "Why don't you spank me instead?"

- space station level, No One Lives Forever

avatar_58 · 04-05-2006, 12:51 AM

No more...I want to replay Nolf again....

Intrepid Homoludens · 04-05-2006, 12:56 AM

Moroccan vendor: "I have a verrrry fine monkey for you. Only 20 dollars American."

Evil H.A.R.M. thug: "Sorry, I don't want a monkey."

Moroccan vendor: "What do you mean?"

Evil H.A.R.M. thug: "I said I don't want a monkey."

Moroccan vendor: "Why not?"

Evil H.A.R.M. thug: "Because I don't like monkeys! Now get that filthy beast away from me!"

Moroccan vendor: "Are you insulting my monkey?!!!"

- Morocco level, No One Lives Forever

avatar_58 · 04-05-2006, 12:57 AM

Must.......resist..........urge To Play................

Gabe · 04-05-2006, 06:09 AM

Actally what was making game damn funny,charming!?

cockney accent no doubt

Gordon Bennett · 04-06-2006, 08:46 AM

Mercenary. The 12939 unit, which made absolutely no sense at all in any context of the game, unless you happened to walk around behind it and take a look.

Being wireframe graphics, you could suddenly see the number on the front of the box, backwards - PEPSI.

That, and of course the cheese, which was explained in the museum in Damocles.

samIamsad · 04-06-2006, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Few things are more wicked funny than a conceited sadistic droid.

A poor zombie (or its body, so to speak) misapplied as an advertising pillar, for example. Have some news? Pin it on! (Planescape:Torment).

04-04-2006, 12:30 PM	#1
insane_cobra gin soaked boy Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Virovitica, Croatia Posts: 4,093	Humor in games Edge Online has posted a great article about comedy in games from the April issue of Edge magazine. Among other games discussed, LucasArts classics are mentioned as benchmarks for (linear) game humor and Ron Gilbert is invited to spew some wisdom. I heartily recommend reading it. So what for you are the most memorable funny moments from otherwise serious games? The first thing that comes to my mind is playing through Silent Hill 3 with Heather dressed in the unlockable Princess Heart costume, killing monsters with deadly beams shooting from her eyes. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ What you piss in is yours for life.

04-04-2006, 12:33 PM	#2
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	No One Lives Forever. Hands down. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

04-04-2006, 12:35 PM	#3
insane_cobra gin soaked boy Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Virovitica, Croatia Posts: 4,093	A great game for sure, but not exactly what I'd call serious. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ What you piss in is yours for life.

04-04-2006, 02:47 PM	#4
artwking4 Jack Bauer loves you Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,524	KOTOR had it's funny moments, particularly with HK-47 and his "meatbag" references. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. -- Robert A. Heinlein

04-04-2006, 02:57 PM	#5
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Few things are more wicked funny than a conceited sadistic droid. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

04-04-2006, 04:37 PM	#7
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	"That's the stupidist thing I ever heard! How can you possibly reconstitute a dehydrated human being without serious side effects?!" - German scientist, No One Lives Forever Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

04-04-2006, 05:13 PM	#8
jjacob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,771	Eavesdropping on guards was one of the better experiences in that game, sadly few other similar games really took advantage of those moments. Today's shooters could learn a lot from NOLF. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-04-2006, 05:17 PM	#9
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Remember eavesdropping on that one fellow behind a door in the corridor leading to the Baroness's lair? He was saying the sweetest, most romantic, and even titillating come-ons to someone. And when you opened the door it turned out that the lucky recipient of his affections was Spoiler: a goat. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

04-04-2006, 05:32 PM	#10
jjacob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,771	ROTFLMAOOMGLOLOL11!!one Yeah, brilliant stuff, although how you remember exactly where and when you heard what amazes me, and I played the game several times! Talk about an elephant's memory Share Share this post on Twitter

04-05-2006, 12:28 AM	#11
Starflux A Servicable Villain Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: the ocean spire Posts: 1,730	I only played NOLF2, but I'd like to believe it was just as funny as its predecessor. In fact, NOLF's lightheartedness was exactly the reason it was so spinechilling when it then DID turn to more dramatic events. That level where you first meet that supersoldier thingy in an abandoned lab... spinechilling atmosphere. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Visit my webcomic Captain August!

04-05-2006, 12:38 AM	#12
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	The first NOLF was more concentrated and potent in its humour, though. It's as if you couldn't get away from it if you tried, but you didn't want to try because it was so good. I ended up repeating that fist fight with Armstrong in the bombed out chalet over and over because I couldn't stop laughing enough to concentrate. The pain voices for Cate were so spot on, she shrieked like teenager whenever Armstrong hit her. Flux, you seriously need to play NOLF 1. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

04-05-2006, 12:45 AM	#13
avatar_58 Sierra Junkie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 797	NOLF is one of the greatest humour based games out there. I also loved NOLF2, but the humour of NOLF1 is really special. "HANS! Your dog vent doo doo over here!" Share Share this post on Twitter

04-05-2006, 12:48 AM	#14
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Male space cad: "I think I had a little too much to drink, 'cause you're starting to look good." Pretty girl: "Excuse me?" Male space cad: "I'm serious. I think I can fall madly in bed with you." Pretty girl: "Do you expect to get anywhere with that kind of filth?" Male space cad: "Aw, c'mon sweetheart, don't be uptight. I'll take good care of you." Pretty girl: "Heh, you're about to get slapped, cowboy!" Male space cad: "Why?" Pretty girl: "Because you obviously need to learn some manners." Male space cad: "Why don't you spank me instead?" - space station level, No One Lives Forever Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

04-05-2006, 12:51 AM	#15
avatar_58 Sierra Junkie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 797	No more...I want to replay Nolf again.... Share Share this post on Twitter

04-05-2006, 12:56 AM	#16
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Moroccan vendor: "I have a verrrry fine monkey for you. Only 20 dollars American." Evil H.A.R.M. thug: "Sorry, I don't want a monkey." Moroccan vendor: "What do you mean?" Evil H.A.R.M. thug: "I said I don't want a monkey." Moroccan vendor: "Why not?" Evil H.A.R.M. thug: "Because I don't like monkeys! Now get that filthy beast away from me!" Moroccan vendor: "Are you insulting my monkey?!!!" - Morocco level, No One Lives Forever Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

04-05-2006, 12:57 AM	#17
avatar_58 Sierra Junkie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 797	Must.......resist..........urge To Play................ Share Share this post on Twitter

04-05-2006, 06:09 AM	#18
Gabe Schättenjager Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 815	Actally what was making game damn funny,charming!? cockney accent no doubt Share Share this post on Twitter

04-06-2006, 08:46 AM	#19
Gordon Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 357	Mercenary. The 12939 unit, which made absolutely no sense at all in any context of the game, unless you happened to walk around behind it and take a look. Being wireframe graphics, you could suddenly see the number on the front of the box, backwards - PEPSI. That, and of course the cheese, which was explained in the museum in Damocles. Share Share this post on Twitter