Question of the Day, November 1, 2010
- Thread starter The Escapist Staff
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Same here man. The only novelizations I've read are the Halo novels by Eric Nylund. Avoid the others like the literary plague they are, but Nylunds are actually quite good.The Random One said:
Some stories are best told as a novel, and arguably they can turn them out at a quicker pace (Often because the writer is hired and not part of the staff).Casual Shinji said:
Personally, I don't mind reading game novels. I've read a handful of Warcraft related books, I've read (and enjoyed) all three Mass Effect novels, I've read both Dragon Age books - They can be good reads, but they're often mediocre and perhaps even forgettable. They can enhance your understanding of the game's world and settings, and the motivations of certain characters. I wouldn't take a game novel over an "actual" novel, but if someone gave me one which is related to a game I'm interested in then I wouldn't say no.
If I really like the series, I will pick up any books about it. Does that mean the books are good? Lord no. The second Gears of War book was painfully slow and dull, and Resistance: The Gathering Storm was littered with typos and plot holes. However, Anvil Gate is crucial in setting up Gears 3's story (and is pretty good too) and the Halo books explained why Johnson was still alive, something that bothered me.
It depends some are good other are pretty bads...
So far i only loved those linked to Bioware games, they have good writers. The 3 Mass Effects Novels, the 2 Dragon Age, and the one so far on The Old Republic are all good
i got suggested to read the Dead Space novel too, apparently they are really good
So far i only loved those linked to Bioware games, they have good writers. The 3 Mass Effects Novels, the 2 Dragon Age, and the one so far on The Old Republic are all good
i got suggested to read the Dead Space novel too, apparently they are really good
I voted I like it because I can see how it could work for games like Warcraft, Fallout, or Oblivion... But I can't say I have ever read a video game novel. I guess I'm just worried that they're quick cash-ins like some movie novels I've read. I'm too busy reading other things anyways, and when I'm not reading those, I'm playing the games that have novels based on them!
I like it, but only when it can actually add some depth to the game. Example, the World of Warcraft novel The Shattering. It goes into more detail the inner workings of the Alliance and Horde's mindsets and important facts that lead up to the (as-of-now) upcoming expansion, Cataclysm. It goes into more detail than the games themselves can go into on things such as Garrosh Hellscream and Cairne Bloodhoof's duel, Moira Thaurissan's return to claim the throne of Ironforge until her newborn Ironforge/Dark Iron son can take the rule for himself (VERY long story), et cetera. However a bad novelization of a game just wallows in the original, such as the Halo novelizations.
Why do you omit the option "No, it's a terrible idea to try to move an interactive story into a non-interactive medium."
I hate them because they're shitty and inaccurate.
I once read a splinter cell novel where his FRAG grenades were remote operated c4.
I was pissed.
I once read a splinter cell novel where his FRAG grenades were remote operated c4.
I was pissed.
I really like well written game novels that expand on the fiction. Eric Nylund's books (and some others, but his are the best by far) showed that Master Chief did have personality, and Ghosts of Onyx introduced the fact that there are other major players besides those in the game. It made the games feel like a part of a large war. Master chief was still a god in power armor, but he wasn't the only threat to the covenant.
My favorite, however, was Karen Traviss' Republic Commando series. Very little takes place in the game, instead introducing a completely new squad, support characters, a new culture, and an amazing story. After Republic Commando, I wanted to revisit the characters, and the RC book series was the perfect addition. It didn't involve the game, but was great extra material. Sadly it ended (damn you George Lucas for your "I want to make Mandolariaons jedi loving wimps" cannon change. Explain Boba Fett, or will he apologize to Luke for what he's doing in Star Wars 3-D? /rant over) but it was a great tool in showing character growth and filling in the gaps.
My favorite, however, was Karen Traviss' Republic Commando series. Very little takes place in the game, instead introducing a completely new squad, support characters, a new culture, and an amazing story. After Republic Commando, I wanted to revisit the characters, and the RC book series was the perfect addition. It didn't involve the game, but was great extra material. Sadly it ended (damn you George Lucas for your "I want to make Mandolariaons jedi loving wimps" cannon change. Explain Boba Fett, or will he apologize to Luke for what he's doing in Star Wars 3-D? /rant over) but it was a great tool in showing character growth and filling in the gaps.
I haven't read a whole lot, but in general I really like them
it might be hard to believe that games with a good story and/or rich universe material for expansion can, with some good authors, actually make pretty good books
I mean, it's not like other novels don't have to start somewhere. might as well somewhere with the universe rules and functions established
it might be hard to believe that games with a good story and/or rich universe material for expansion can, with some good authors, actually make pretty good books
I mean, it's not like other novels don't have to start somewhere. might as well somewhere with the universe rules and functions established
No, but not because I only like my stories in video game form. Because I like my video game stories and my written stories separate. These are two very different mediums.