Season 1 did have much better writing and gameplay than s2. S1 had some good writing and interesting characters that weren't killed off in the next 3 seconds for cheap shock value.
Season 1 did have much better writing and gameplay than s2. S1 had some good writing and interesting characters that weren't killed off in the next 3 seconds for cheap shock value.
One thing that annoys me, is having to dismount the horse to fast travel/move through water, or when i'm running through town, i always seem… more to accidentally steal items in town, by pushing x to move faster, It's just small little things though, overall its a pretty enjoyable game. Did you get it on PS4 or PC?
If you played witcher 3, explain your argument, because i would love to know how you can compare a game like Witcher 3, that had lots of emotion, to a game that was basically a shell of its former self. I just got done doing the part with Priscilla, that one quest had more emotion than the entire S2.
The Xbox one actually. Played it after the updates fixing that save bug. Had some smallproblems, but still an excellent game. Had a blast trying to do everything. Now to go back on the hardest difficulty and play a different Geralt.
We're not talking about witcher 3 vs TWD season 2, we're talking telltale writers, as a whole, vs cd projekt red writers, as a whole.
I find most of the Witcher's plots and plot devices cheesy and overdone for a medieval setting, and while Telltale have their fair share of cheese it comes to a lower level than that of the Witcher's writers.
Though I do think the Witcher 1 and 2 are worse than TWD season 2.
If you played witcher 3, explain your argument, because i would love to know how you can compare a game like Witcher 3, that had lots of emo… moretion, to a game that was basically a shell of its former self. I just got done doing the part with Priscilla, that one quest had more emotion than the entire S2.
I don't agree with you however but i thought season 2 was utter disappointment. I can't comment on the original witcher, and witcher 2, it's been years since i played those games. In the Witcher 3, choices actually matter. Like for example i made the choice to free a dark spirit, to save someone. I didn't think about what the dark spirit would do after it saved the person, it ended up killing a entire village, and everyone blamed me for it.
We're not talking about witcher 3 vs TWD season 2, we're talking telltale writers, as a whole, vs cd projekt red writers, as a whole.
I f… moreind most of the Witcher's plots and plot devices cheesy and overdone for a medieval setting, and while Telltale have their fair share of cheese it comes to a lower level than that of the Witcher's writers.
Though I do think the Witcher 1 and 2 are worse than TWD season 2.
Come on buddy. The first season revolutionized Telltale. It changed the entire way they make games. The only reason i could see you preferring season 2 over 1 is with the better quick-time events.
I don't agree with you however but i thought season 2 was utter disappointment. I can't comment on the original witcher, and witcher 2, it… more's been years since i played those games. In the Witcher 3, choices actually matter. Like for example i made the choice to free a dark spirit, to save someone. I didn't think about what the dark spirit would do after it saved the person, it ended up killing a entire village, and everyone blamed me for it.
Its not a run on joke like it is in TTG games.
Beat it and did it all. Got all Gwent cards, all Witcher contracts, and collected all diagrams for the armors, etc, etc. If you are in Skelliga and arrived their to do the main story for the first the time. Then you have quite A LOT ahead of you to do main and secondary quests a plenty. Skelliga is a pain to travel since boats are can be difficult to navigate in. Monsters attack it and there is soo much water to traverse. The quests their remain interesting as ever though.
Found something cool. Go to White Orchard, the first town you visit in the game. Kill some cows, meditate, and kill some again. Rinse and repeat a few times. Wait for it.....
That has absolutely zero to do with how good the actual game is. And I enjoy season 2 more because I just simply found it more interesting. I don't mind if you guys like Season 1 more! But so many of you go around spreading your OPINION around as if it's fact. Did we all forget how this section turned to shit? Bunch of people went around with their Kenny and Jane arguments always telling everyone how their choice is the "right" or "canon" choice. That way of thinking is what ruined this section.
Come on buddy. The first season revolutionized Telltale. It changed the entire way they make games. The only reason i could see you preferring season 2 over 1 is with the better quick-time events.
Beat it and did it all. Got all Gwent cards, all Witcher contracts, and collected all diagrams for the armors, etc, etc. If you are in Skell… moreiga and arrived their to do the main story for the first the time. Then you have quite A LOT ahead of you to do main and secondary quests a plenty. Skelliga is a pain to travel since boats are can be difficult to navigate in. Monsters attack it and there is soo much water to traverse. The quests their remain interesting as ever though.
Found something cool. Go to White Orchard, the first town you visit in the game. Kill some cows, meditate, and kill some again. Rinse and repeat a few times. Wait for it.....
Choice and consequence is just one plane to consider when making a judgement of writing quality.
Telltale never promises massive consequences, just that the story is 'tailored' by your choices, which is inarguably true.
The game is altered in very small ways by the decisions we make. I wish there were bigger changes, but saying that the game isn't 'tailored' by our choices is completely incorrect. All dialogue options alter responses, which is already an example of the game being tailored to our characterisation of the protagonist.
Nonsensical choices is an entirely different issue? But that choice did make sense - Clem was trying to keep him alive long enough to tell her where Christa was, in my game. He died anyway, but it affects whether you're able to give Pete water in the next episode.
Telltale never promises massive consequences,
Didn't they start the game saying this game is "tailored by the choices you make", whi… morech is not true. Its as linear as a bridge.
Season two, some of the choices made absolutely no sense, like giving the water to the bandit guy.
And I enjoy season 2 more because I just simply found it more interesting.
Yeah we realize it's your opinion. I could never understand it. I could never even interpret how you could like s2 more. I have no idea how you could find s2 more interesting. But it is your opinion.
It changed the entire way they make games.
That has absolutely zero to do with how good the actual game is. And I enjoy season 2 mor… moree because I just simply found it more interesting. I don't mind if you guys like Season 1 more! But so many of you go around spreading your OPINION around as if it's fact. Did we all forget how this section turned to shit? Bunch of people went around with their Kenny and Jane arguments always telling everyone how their choice is the "right" or "canon" choice. That way of thinking is what ruined this section.
And I enjoy season 2 more because I just simply found it more interesting.
Yeah we realize it's your opinion. I could never understa… morend it. I could never even interpret how you could like s2 more. I have no idea how you could find s2 more interesting. But it is your opinion.
How are telltale games not linear lmao. You're at Point A and you go to point B. There's no changing that fact. You can look around a set area but there's no going off somewhere different. No matter how many times you replay the game, you will always start at point A and end up on Point B
No, it's not linear. Gears of war is linear.
The game is altered in very small ways by the decisions we make. I wish there were bigger ch… moreanges, but saying that the game isn't 'tailored' by our choices is completely incorrect. All dialogue options alter responses, which is already an example of the game being tailored to our characterisation of the protagonist.
Nonsensical choices is an entirely different issue? But that choice did make sense - Clem was trying to keep him alive long enough to tell her where Christa was, in my game. He died anyway, but it affects whether you're able to give Pete water in the next episode.
I think if you're looking for non-linear, you'd be best off playing a different genre or more traditional point and clicks. These are story based, more like interactive movies/tv shows, so yes, the story is going to be linear as Telltale have an overall story they want to tell, though you might occasionally get a choice of where to go or what order to do things in (like TWAU). I mean, it's not like there's a large hub with puzzles, where you can choose the order to do things in.
To Crazy George,
What Flog said is correct. The key is it's 'not tailored enough for you or others', which is totally fine, and I myself wish there were more differences. But saying things aren't tailored at all, as Flog said, is not right.
Said in general:
Could we also maybe avoid a debate on choices? It never goes anywhere and leads to arguing, though I realise I've probably not helped matters here. Sorry if I seem snippy here as well, but I'm just so tired of debating this on Steam's forums and on here, plus as I said, it just leads to people going in circles and arguing.
How are telltale games not linear lmao. You're at Point A and you go to point B. There's no changing that fact. You can look around a set ar… moreea but there's no going off somewhere different. No matter how many times you replay the game, you will always start at point A and end up on Point B
What Flog said is correct. The key is it's 'not tailored enough for you or others', which is totally fine, and I myself wish there were more differences. But saying things aren't tailored at all, as Flog said, is not right.
Then if that is the case, they should stop posting it at the beginning of every episode, its bullshit anyways.
I think if you're looking for non-linear, you'd be best off playing a different genre or more traditional point and clicks. These are story … morebased, more like interactive movies/tv shows, so yes, the story is going to be linear as Telltale have an overall story they want to tell, though you might occasionally get a choice of where to go or what order to do things in (like TWAU). I mean, it's not like there's a large hub with puzzles, where you can choose the order to do things in.
To Crazy George,
What Flog said is correct. The key is it's 'not tailored enough for you or others', which is totally fine, and I myself wish there were more differences. But saying things aren't tailored at all, as Flog said, is not right.
Said in general:
Could we also maybe avoid a debate on choices? It never goes anywhere and leads to arguing, though I realise I've probably not helped matters here. Sorry if I seem snippy here as well, but I'm just so t… [view original content]
Anyway, TW2 is quite hard for new players. One week ago I always was dying to the prologue in medium difficulty, it was the hardest game I've ever played, while just yesterday I finished it in Insane that, you know, if you die you must restart the entire game... Funny how things turn out XD
1) Fact: You don't hear exactly the same dialog as everyone else does. You make a choice, controlling the next dialog you hear even if the conversation only branches for a sentence or two before the threads join back up.
2) Fact: Give water to someone in TWD S2? You can't give it to another character later. Therefore, tailored to what you chose to do.
3) Fact: A character missing a limb for one player when they might not be for another? Tailored.
4) Fact: Someone dies. You chose to not do as requested in an effort to save them. A character is unfriendly towards you as a result. If you did as requested? Then they're not unfriendly. Therefore, tailored.
5) Fact: Fall from a balcony, when it can be avoided? The balcony may be destroyed, or it might not be. Therefore, tailored.
I can go on listing examples all night. But I'm going to stop here as I know I'm annoying people and me keep saying 'fact' over and over is likely irritating people, but I'm just so tired of this. The 'bullshit' part of your response, CrazyGeorge, is exactly the reason I said what I did about it being pointless arguing this. We'll have to agree to disagree, as no ground will be gained on either side. You're welcome to think it's 'bullshit' as well, but I'm also welcome to state that Telltale are correct in what they say.
This brings us back to what I said. Things just aren't tailored as much as some people would like. You and me included. That doesn't make it false advertising. It just means our hopes/wishes weren't met. And I shouldn't feel I have to say this, but I caution everyone, when you see 'choices' and 'branching' mentioned, to always think that it's likely your choices will only alter minor details (therefore making sure the same broad story is followed), no matter the game. It would help to avoid all of this disappointment. The Witcher games are an exception, and there's a reason that CD Projekt Red didn't want the The Witcher 3's story to branch as much as The Witcher 2's did. Obviously, things still change as a result of choices though.
Bottom line at any rate? A movie is a non-tailored experience because you just sit down and watch. There's no interaction. Dialog is always exactly the same and such. With Telltale's stuff, even if it's only minor changes, things still change based on the choices the user makes, so the experience is tailored even if the overall story largely remains the same.
(The article basically discusses how Telltale's choices aren't about altering the plot, but rather about the characters and how they're perceived. That sort of thing.)
What Flog said is correct. The key is it's 'not tailored enough for you or others', which is totally fine, and I myself wish there were more… more differences. But saying things aren't tailored at all, as Flog said, is not right.
Then if that is the case, they should stop posting it at the beginning of every episode, its bullshit anyways.
1) Fact: You don't hear exactly the same dialog as everyone else does. You make a choice, controlling the next dialog you hear even if the c… moreonversation only branches for a sentence or two before the threads join back up.
2) Fact: Give water to someone in TWD S2? You can't give it to another character later. Therefore, tailored to what you chose to do.
3) Fact: A character missing a limb for one player when they might not be for another? Tailored.
4) Fact: Someone dies. You chose to not do as requested in an effort to save them. A character is unfriendly towards you as a result. If you did as requested? Then they're not unfriendly. Therefore, tailored.
5) Fact: Fall from a balcony, when it can be avoided? The balcony may be destroyed, or it might not be. Therefore, tailored.
I can go on listing examples all night. But I'm going to stop here as I know I'm annoying people and me keep saying 'fact' over and over is likely irritatin… [view original content]
I wish the game didn't have levels but more of a dynamic leveling system, so it always stays challenging throughout the game, IE Darksouls. In Witcher 3 IMO the game can be very hard or easy, depending on how many levels over you are the monster/whatever you are fighting. I really haven't felt challenged except when i fight the skull monsters, and when i do i get one shotted, so i don't even bother. Right now i'm level 23 i think, and i just started doing parts that are level 13, so its incredibly easy.
Yeah, I agree...
Anyway, TW2 is quite hard for new players. One week ago I always was dying to the prologue in medium difficulty, it was … morethe hardest game I've ever played, while just yesterday I finished it in Insane that, you know, if you die you must restart the entire game... Funny how things turn out XD
With Telltale's stuff, even if it's only minor changes, things still change based on the choices the user makes, so the experience is tailored even if the overall story largely remains the same.
(And I also point to what Flog said, about dialog being altered.)
So thanks for telling me 'All those choices you listed REALLY MADE A difference in the overall story, and made the story arch change so much....'? Here I was thinking that the changes greatly changed the story. And what I did type was factual. Changes do occur and mean there might be slight differences from person to person. Therefore, things are tailored to the individual playing.
Why? From a simple dialog perspective, disregarding other changes:
Choice A: "I don't want to go."
"No? Well, you have to."
Choice B: "I wish I didn't have to go."
"I know . . . but we don't always get to do what we want."
The conversation threads join back up:
"Will you still be here when I get back?"
Compared to someone else, you might have a change of one sentence, depending on the choice you made while still heading in the same overall direction. That makes it tailored. Again, what I said was factual, as everyone doesn't necessarily see or hear the same things. Again, things just aren't 'tailored enough for you and some other people'. That doesn't make it false what Telltale say. You could argue that it makes you think that the story will greatly change as a result of your choices, but that's something different. It's no longer a discussion about whether things are tailored, and it becomes about whether the choices actually matter (another topic I am very weary of, as I'm sure others are). It's something that is entirely subjective.
I cannot put it any simpler, unless I'm brief and simply use the same metaphor that people are fond of. You can either choose to walk or drive to work, but the destination is the same. Therefore, the experience is slightly different, but the end result is the same. And there's the clothing metaphor too.
Bottom line:
Say choices don't matter, but saying things aren't tailored is simply untrue as things aren't 'exactly' the same from person to person. (And just as a note, I remember hearing that Telltale's scripts for each episode are about four times the size of a normal movie? Quite a good deal larger anyway.)
Also, I did acknowledge that I was likely irritating people with the 'fact' things. But I wouldn't have said that if I wasn't fed up of this discussion, if I saw value in it, didn't think it pointless, and wasn't sure what I was saying was fact. I'm normally quite quick to state something is an opinion.
I quote myself:
With Telltale's stuff, even if it's only minor changes, things still change based on the choices the user makes, so th… moree experience is tailored even if the overall story largely remains the same.
(And I also point to what Flog said, about dialog being altered.)
So thanks for telling me 'All those choices you listed REALLY MADE A difference in the overall story, and made the story arch change so much....'? Here I was thinking that the changes greatly changed the story. And what I did type was factual. Changes do occur and mean there might be slight differences from person to person. Therefore, things are tailored to the individual playing.
Why? From a simple dialog perspective, disregarding other changes:
Choice A: "I don't want to go."
"No? Well, you have to."
Choice B: "I wish I didn't have to go."
"I know . . . but we don't always get to do what we want."
The conversation threads join back u… [view original content]
As I said, choices 'often' result in minor differences only. So by and large, I agree with you that choices don't alter the broad story. The word 'tailored' really has nothing to do with whether or not the choices matter though. That's for a different discussion.
For me, it's kind of a 'yes and no' answer when it comes to whether the choices matter. Not a wrong answer, as your answer of 'they don't matter' wouldn't be either. I've never, ever had a problem with you or others stating that choices don't matter, as long as the complaints don't go on and on and there's no expectation that Telltale should make what would essentially amount to several different games for one episode as it's unrealistic in the timeframe they have and such. And then there's the fact that people already complain about how long episodes take to release.
Anyway, I'm rambling. And I appreciate you asking that civilly. I know that I was quite irritating with the fact thing.
Before tackling that last question, just let me touch on the first question a bit more:
I think it's best to think of the choices as being more about the characters and also making you yourself think about what you might do in a particular situation, rather than thinking of them as altering the broad story. Also, the choices might give different story info. When it comes to something like Borderlands though, it's a bit different. Obviously the choices are sometimes meant to just be for fun.
I obviously don't know what was going on in the heads of the designers/writers at Telltale regarding that, but I can speculate.
1) It was for shock value.
2) Possibly story reasons as well, such as making it sink in that death can come at any time for any character.
3) They wanted to cut down on the content they needed to make, which is understandable. Not that Carly or Doug had a big part to play after episode 1 though.
It's basically a problem of workload and maths when it comes to point 3, though story coherency and such is also a factor. Like I've said before, if TWD S1's story branched heavily, could you confidently say that it would have had the same impact on people?
Story coherency, when it comes to Carly and Doug, wouldn't have been that big of a problem in this instance though, as it's not like they'd need to write two different stories to account for them being alive. (Some extra content yes, which is still a lot of work, but the story wouldn't likely lose its coherency as it could still go on without a hitch, I imagine.)
But anyhow, I agree that in terms of the broad story arc, the choice didn't matter much. There was a nice scene though in episode 3 between Lee and Carly. And yeah, in an ideal world, it might have been nice if they were dispatched in a different way if the characters really had to go.
Anyway, again, I largely agree with you. It just altered the player's experience, not the broad story.
Let me ask you this, do you think the choices change the storyline or are they just... choices...
Do you save Carley or Doug, both die the exact SAME WAY.
What was that about?
i don't even understand how people can say games by telltale should be more like the witcher and keep a straight face as much as i love them they can't do it ever the closest they will get to that is having choices matter like mass effect or something but never like the witcher
Comments
Yep
But its a damn good and true opinion.
In your opinion.
.....What?
A common and popular opinion at that
Season 1 did have much better writing and gameplay than s2. S1 had some good writing and interesting characters that weren't killed off in the next 3 seconds for cheap shock value.
Your opinion.
I hope to get it soon, maybe I'll wait for a lower price
If you played witcher 3, explain your argument, because i would love to know how you can compare a game like Witcher 3, that had lots of emotion, to a game that was basically a shell of its former self. I just got done doing the part with Priscilla, that one quest had more emotion than the entire S2.
Its worth sixty bucks, I'm starting to worry about the romance options though, it seems pretty linear in a bad way imo.
Did you beat the game? How far am i in, i just got to Skelliga.
We're not talking about witcher 3 vs TWD season 2, we're talking telltale writers, as a whole, vs cd projekt red writers, as a whole.
I find most of the Witcher's plots and plot devices cheesy and overdone for a medieval setting, and while Telltale have their fair share of cheese it comes to a lower level than that of the Witcher's writers.
Though I do think the Witcher 1 and 2 are worse than TWD season 2.
I don't agree with you however but i thought season 2 was utter disappointment. I can't comment on the original witcher, and witcher 2, it's been years since i played those games. In the Witcher 3, choices actually matter. Like for example i made the choice to free a dark spirit, to save someone. I didn't think about what the dark spirit would do after it saved the person, it ended up killing a entire village, and everyone blamed me for it.
Its not a run on joke like it is in TTG games.
Come on buddy. The first season revolutionized Telltale. It changed the entire way they make games. The only reason i could see you preferring season 2 over 1 is with the better quick-time events.
True opinion is real as a concept but...not really applicable here, yeah
Choice and consequence is just one plane to consider when making a judgement of writing quality.
Telltale never promises massive consequences, just that the story is 'tailored' by your choices, which is inarguably true.
Beat it and did it all. Got all Gwent cards, all Witcher contracts, and collected all diagrams for the armors, etc, etc. If you are in Skelliga and arrived their to do the main story for the first the time. Then you have quite A LOT ahead of you to do main and secondary quests a plenty. Skelliga is a pain to travel since boats are can be difficult to navigate in. Monsters attack it and there is soo much water to traverse. The quests their remain interesting as ever though.
Found something cool. Go to White Orchard, the first town you visit in the game. Kill some cows, meditate, and kill some again. Rinse and repeat a few times. Wait for it.....
That has absolutely zero to do with how good the actual game is. And I enjoy season 2 more because I just simply found it more interesting. I don't mind if you guys like Season 1 more! But so many of you go around spreading your OPINION around as if it's fact. Did we all forget how this section turned to shit? Bunch of people went around with their Kenny and Jane arguments always telling everyone how their choice is the "right" or "canon" choice. That way of thinking is what ruined this section.
Oh god i though i was almost done with this game.
My Witcher loves killing Cats and eating them. Its hilarious, you can eat cats in this game.
Didn't they start the game saying this game is "tailored by the choices you make", which is not true. Its as linear as a bridge.
Season two, some of the choices made absolutely no sense, like giving the water to the bandit guy.
No, it's not linear. Gears of war is linear.
The game is altered in very small ways by the decisions we make. I wish there were bigger changes, but saying that the game isn't 'tailored' by our choices is completely incorrect. All dialogue options alter responses, which is already an example of the game being tailored to our characterisation of the protagonist.
Nonsensical choices is an entirely different issue? But that choice did make sense - Clem was trying to keep him alive long enough to tell her where Christa was, in my game. He died anyway, but it affects whether you're able to give Pete water in the next episode.
Yeah we realize it's your opinion. I could never understand it. I could never even interpret how you could like s2 more. I have no idea how you could find s2 more interesting. But it is your opinion.
That's awesome.
How are telltale games not linear lmao. You're at Point A and you go to point B. There's no changing that fact. You can look around a set area but there's no going off somewhere different. No matter how many times you replay the game, you will always start at point A and end up on Point B
I think if you're looking for non-linear, you'd be best off playing a different genre or more traditional point and clicks. These are story based, more like interactive movies/tv shows, so yes, the story is going to be linear as Telltale have an overall story they want to tell, though you might occasionally get a choice of where to go or what order to do things in (like TWAU). I mean, it's not like there's a large hub with puzzles, where you can choose the order to do things in.
To Crazy George,
What Flog said is correct. The key is it's 'not tailored enough for you or others', which is totally fine, and I myself wish there were more differences. But saying things aren't tailored at all, as Flog said, is not right.
Said in general:
Could we also maybe avoid a debate on choices? It never goes anywhere and leads to arguing, though I realise I've probably not helped matters here. Sorry if I seem snippy here as well, but I'm just so tired of debating this on Steam's forums and on here, plus as I said, it just leads to people going in circles and arguing.
Do you want to wait 2 years between episodes becuase that is how you get 2 years long waiting time between episodes?!
Do you want to wait 2 years between episodes becuase that is how you get 2 years long waiting time between episodes?!
Every single one is good and each story is great. Don't just buy one, I'd recommend going through them all.
Then if that is the case, they should stop posting it at the beginning of every episode, its bullshit anyways.
Yeah, I agree...
Anyway, TW2 is quite hard for new players. One week ago I always was dying to the prologue in medium difficulty, it was the hardest game I've ever played, while just yesterday I finished it in Insane that, you know, if you die you must restart the entire game... Funny how things turn out XD
1) Fact: You don't hear exactly the same dialog as everyone else does. You make a choice, controlling the next dialog you hear even if the conversation only branches for a sentence or two before the threads join back up.
2) Fact: Give water to someone in TWD S2? You can't give it to another character later. Therefore, tailored to what you chose to do.
3) Fact: A character missing a limb for one player when they might not be for another? Tailored.
4) Fact: Someone dies. You chose to not do as requested in an effort to save them. A character is unfriendly towards you as a result. If you did as requested? Then they're not unfriendly. Therefore, tailored.
5) Fact: Fall from a balcony, when it can be avoided? The balcony may be destroyed, or it might not be. Therefore, tailored.
I can go on listing examples all night. But I'm going to stop here as I know I'm annoying people and me keep saying 'fact' over and over is likely irritating people, but I'm just so tired of this. The 'bullshit' part of your response, CrazyGeorge, is exactly the reason I said what I did about it being pointless arguing this. We'll have to agree to disagree, as no ground will be gained on either side. You're welcome to think it's 'bullshit' as well, but I'm also welcome to state that Telltale are correct in what they say.
This brings us back to what I said. Things just aren't tailored as much as some people would like. You and me included. That doesn't make it false advertising. It just means our hopes/wishes weren't met. And I shouldn't feel I have to say this, but I caution everyone, when you see 'choices' and 'branching' mentioned, to always think that it's likely your choices will only alter minor details (therefore making sure the same broad story is followed), no matter the game. It would help to avoid all of this disappointment. The Witcher games are an exception, and there's a reason that CD Projekt Red didn't want the The Witcher 3's story to branch as much as The Witcher 2's did. Obviously, things still change as a result of choices though.
Bottom line at any rate? A movie is a non-tailored experience because you just sit down and watch. There's no interaction. Dialog is always exactly the same and such. With Telltale's stuff, even if it's only minor changes, things still change based on the choices the user makes, so the experience is tailored even if the overall story largely remains the same.
And to end this, I ran across this link earlier today: http://www.pcgamer.com/telltales-choices-arent-about-plot-but-something-more-significant/
(The article basically discusses how Telltale's choices aren't about altering the plot, but rather about the characters and how they're perceived. That sort of thing.)
PS: Another link: https://www.choiceofgames.com/2011/07/by-the-numbers-how-to-write-a-long-interactive-novel-that-doesnt-suck/
Read that and it might help you understand why choices don't matter as much as you hope they do. It might also give an insight into design decisions.
All those choices you listed REALLY MADE A difference in the overall story, and made the story arch change so much....
I wish the game didn't have levels but more of a dynamic leveling system, so it always stays challenging throughout the game, IE Darksouls. In Witcher 3 IMO the game can be very hard or easy, depending on how many levels over you are the monster/whatever you are fighting. I really haven't felt challenged except when i fight the skull monsters, and when i do i get one shotted, so i don't even bother. Right now i'm level 23 i think, and i just started doing parts that are level 13, so its incredibly easy.
I quote myself:
(And I also point to what Flog said, about dialog being altered.)
So thanks for telling me 'All those choices you listed REALLY MADE A difference in the overall story, and made the story arch change so much....'? Here I was thinking that the changes greatly changed the story. And what I did type was factual. Changes do occur and mean there might be slight differences from person to person. Therefore, things are tailored to the individual playing.
Why? From a simple dialog perspective, disregarding other changes:
Choice A: "I don't want to go."
"No? Well, you have to."
Choice B: "I wish I didn't have to go."
"I know . . . but we don't always get to do what we want."
The conversation threads join back up:
"Will you still be here when I get back?"
Compared to someone else, you might have a change of one sentence, depending on the choice you made while still heading in the same overall direction. That makes it tailored. Again, what I said was factual, as everyone doesn't necessarily see or hear the same things. Again, things just aren't 'tailored enough for you and some other people'. That doesn't make it false what Telltale say. You could argue that it makes you think that the story will greatly change as a result of your choices, but that's something different. It's no longer a discussion about whether things are tailored, and it becomes about whether the choices actually matter (another topic I am very weary of, as I'm sure others are). It's something that is entirely subjective.
I cannot put it any simpler, unless I'm brief and simply use the same metaphor that people are fond of. You can either choose to walk or drive to work, but the destination is the same. Therefore, the experience is slightly different, but the end result is the same. And there's the clothing metaphor too.
Bottom line:
Say choices don't matter, but saying things aren't tailored is simply untrue as things aren't 'exactly' the same from person to person. (And just as a note, I remember hearing that Telltale's scripts for each episode are about four times the size of a normal movie? Quite a good deal larger anyway.)
Also, I did acknowledge that I was likely irritating people with the 'fact' things. But I wouldn't have said that if I wasn't fed up of this discussion, if I saw value in it, didn't think it pointless, and wasn't sure what I was saying was fact. I'm normally quite quick to state something is an opinion.
Let me ask you this, do you think the choices change the storyline or are they just... choices...
Do you save Carley or Doug, both die the exact SAME WAY.
What was that about?
As I said, choices 'often' result in minor differences only. So by and large, I agree with you that choices don't alter the broad story. The word 'tailored' really has nothing to do with whether or not the choices matter though. That's for a different discussion.
For me, it's kind of a 'yes and no' answer when it comes to whether the choices matter. Not a wrong answer, as your answer of 'they don't matter' wouldn't be either. I've never, ever had a problem with you or others stating that choices don't matter, as long as the complaints don't go on and on and there's no expectation that Telltale should make what would essentially amount to several different games for one episode as it's unrealistic in the timeframe they have and such. And then there's the fact that people already complain about how long episodes take to release.
Anyway, I'm rambling. And I appreciate you asking that civilly. I know that I was quite irritating with the fact thing.
Before tackling that last question, just let me touch on the first question a bit more:
I think it's best to think of the choices as being more about the characters and also making you yourself think about what you might do in a particular situation, rather than thinking of them as altering the broad story. Also, the choices might give different story info. When it comes to something like Borderlands though, it's a bit different. Obviously the choices are sometimes meant to just be for fun.
http://www.pcgamer.com/telltales-choices-arent-about-plot-but-something-more-significant/
To answer your final question:
I obviously don't know what was going on in the heads of the designers/writers at Telltale regarding that, but I can speculate.
1) It was for shock value.
2) Possibly story reasons as well, such as making it sink in that death can come at any time for any character.
3) They wanted to cut down on the content they needed to make, which is understandable. Not that Carly or Doug had a big part to play after episode 1 though.
It's basically a problem of workload and maths when it comes to point 3, though story coherency and such is also a factor. Like I've said before, if TWD S1's story branched heavily, could you confidently say that it would have had the same impact on people?
Story coherency, when it comes to Carly and Doug, wouldn't have been that big of a problem in this instance though, as it's not like they'd need to write two different stories to account for them being alive. (Some extra content yes, which is still a lot of work, but the story wouldn't likely lose its coherency as it could still go on without a hitch, I imagine.)
But anyhow, I agree that in terms of the broad story arc, the choice didn't matter much. There was a nice scene though in episode 3 between Lee and Carly. And yeah, in an ideal world, it might have been nice if they were dispatched in a different way if the characters really had to go.
Anyway, again, I largely agree with you. It just altered the player's experience, not the broad story.
i don't even understand how people can say games by telltale should be more like the witcher and keep a straight face as much as i love them they can't do it ever the closest they will get to that is having choices matter like mass effect or something but never like the witcher
what a great advertisement thread.