RE: The Importance of Narrative Design in Video Games
I think it's only just now starting to sink in how true this is. When I'm discussing the best stories I've read this past year, I immediately feel the urge to answer with Nier: Automata and Witcher 3. No, they aren't books, and even though the Witcher games are based on a book series I personally prefer the CD Projekt take on the story. Nier: Automata is one of the greatest works of philosophical science fiction I've ever consumed, and has encouraged me to contemplate a great deal I wouldn't have otherwise.
Even games like Dark Souls, which obscure most of the lore of the world intentionally, offer you all the tools necessary to imagine your own story within the context of a rich world. You are the hero, and you write the story in your mind. They simply give you props and major events to gently nudge along the path. I've been laughed at more than once for telling people I play Dark Souls games primarily for the story.
Nier: Automata was recommended by a good friend of mine and I'll definitely be picking it up once I get a TV and I can get my PS4 back in action. (I know it's on PC, but I was told the experience was much better on the PS4)
I think Dark Souls/Bloodborne has a great story that's realized through it's atmosphere and systems.
For Nier: Automata there was an excellent community patch on PC that fixed virtually all the major frame rate drops that plagued the game in certain areas at launch. Highly possible it's been officially patched by now on PS4 as well. It's certainly best played with a controller.
Thanks, that's good to know.