Cut Scenes?

The game world is at a all time high and we have more options than ever to choose from. So it can’t get any better right?

I could think of a way for it to get better. How about more gameplay and less cut scenes. Hey, I love a good cut scene, but when most of your game time is watching what could be a hollywood blockbuster inside a game something’s wrong. Look at recent games such as Assasin’s Creed, GTA4, Uncharted:Drake’s Fortune and let’s not forget MGS4. All wonderful games, but full of cut scenes. Maybe that’s what next gen meant more cut scenes and less game play. Who knows, all I know is when I played Super Mario Bros. for the first time I had as much fun playing it as say GTA.

So the question is have we come so far that gameplay is not that important anymore? Or maybe we still think that gameplay is important but not as fun without a great cut scene. I’m all for telling the story and I know that next gen systems are a great way to do it, but I’m also for playing the story and I had hoped that next gen systems were the way to do it.

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Author: Eric Baumgardner View all posts by
I operate this site. I also have been gaming for 23 years. I am an Xbox LIVE Ambassador and an Xbox Community Xpert. Need anything find me on Twitter @junegore or email me at junegore@jgghgames.com

14 Comments on "Cut Scenes?"

  1. HairBandReject June 22, 2008 at 9:03 am -

    I kinda like the cutscenes. I am a huge film geek as well as game geek and feeling like I am in a movie makes it heaps more rewarding. When it gets over the top, sure I will get a bit annoyed.

    Plus it gives me a chance to take my hands off the controls and scratch myself or something similar.

  2. HairBandReject June 22, 2008 at 4:03 am -

    I kinda like the cutscenes. I am a huge film geek as well as game geek and feeling like I am in a movie makes it heaps more rewarding. When it gets over the top, sure I will get a bit annoyed.

    Plus it gives me a chance to take my hands off the controls and scratch myself or something similar.

  3. TimSpeedle June 22, 2008 at 12:40 pm -

    I don’t have a problem with cutscenes telling a story, but there is a point where it takes over and you feel like you’re no longer in control of the game. I am specifically referring to MGS4 in this event. I have only “played” about an hour or so of the game, but that ends up really representing less than 10 minutes of actual gameplay, and the balance of that time is just watching cutscenes, which is way too much.

    GTA4 has some cutscenes also, but they are relatively short in comparison and just provide you a bit of information and background before sending you off on the mission.

    Perhaps the best fusion of cutscenes and gameplay that I can think of is Half Life 2, where everything is done while you are still in the first person perspective and can move around, so you can choose to just walk around and blow off listening to the whole thing.

  4. TimSpeedle June 22, 2008 at 7:40 am -

    I don’t have a problem with cutscenes telling a story, but there is a point where it takes over and you feel like you’re no longer in control of the game. I am specifically referring to MGS4 in this event. I have only “played” about an hour or so of the game, but that ends up really representing less than 10 minutes of actual gameplay, and the balance of that time is just watching cutscenes, which is way too much.

    GTA4 has some cutscenes also, but they are relatively short in comparison and just provide you a bit of information and background before sending you off on the mission.

    Perhaps the best fusion of cutscenes and gameplay that I can think of is Half Life 2, where everything is done while you are still in the first person perspective and can move around, so you can choose to just walk around and blow off listening to the whole thing.

  5. droolingtiger June 22, 2008 at 4:29 pm -

    Will have to agree with Speedle. Another good example of ‘losing control of the game’ was in a game called Xenosaga. You tend to get somewhat antsy when you’re waiting to get into some gameplay action and can’t because of all the ‘movie shorts’. (yeah, that’s what I call them now-.-) GTA’s not too bad but I won’t reiterate on that as Speedle covered it pretty well I think. =0) Cut scenes are a great way to get even more involved with a story line….but if I wanted to watch a ‘movie’, I’d either rent one or go to the theaters.

  6. droolingtiger June 22, 2008 at 11:29 am -

    Will have to agree with Speedle. Another good example of ‘losing control of the game’ was in a game called Xenosaga. You tend to get somewhat antsy when you’re waiting to get into some gameplay action and can’t because of all the ‘movie shorts’. (yeah, that’s what I call them now-.-) GTA’s not too bad but I won’t reiterate on that as Speedle covered it pretty well I think. =0) Cut scenes are a great way to get even more involved with a story line….but if I wanted to watch a ‘movie’, I’d either rent one or go to the theaters.

  7. Kryppi June 22, 2008 at 7:24 pm -

    ok, to make is easy for me and i dont have to type much… i totally agree with Speedle and Tiger, but and also on GoW there are cuts scenes and there are parts that its in a cut scene kinda deal and you can walk around while they are talking to you…… and i really like the part where Tiger said, “if I wanted to watch a ‘movie’, I’d either rent one or go to the theaters.”…. i really do agree with that 110%…..

  8. Kryppi June 22, 2008 at 2:24 pm -

    ok, to make is easy for me and i dont have to type much… i totally agree with Speedle and Tiger, but and also on GoW there are cuts scenes and there are parts that its in a cut scene kinda deal and you can walk around while they are talking to you…… and i really like the part where Tiger said, “if I wanted to watch a ‘movie’, I’d either rent one or go to the theaters.”…. i really do agree with that 110%…..

  9. xDFx skeletor June 23, 2008 at 3:58 am -

    well the way i see it some games need cut scenes to tell the story like MGS4 as of now its the best game i have ever played and its got more than one 90min cut scene. but with GTA4 and most FPS the cut scenes suck if ppl dont like the cutscene’s dont buy the game thats just the way i see it!

  10. xDFx skeletor June 22, 2008 at 10:58 pm -

    well the way i see it some games need cut scenes to tell the story like MGS4 as of now its the best game i have ever played and its got more than one 90min cut scene. but with GTA4 and most FPS the cut scenes suck if ppl dont like the cutscene’s dont buy the game thats just the way i see it!

  11. HairBandReject June 23, 2008 at 4:14 am -

    I think you are all right. From what I’m hearing of MGS4 I would be annoyed too with hours of cut scenes and minutes of gameplay. However having a good amount of cut scenes is still awesome and makes it feel more cinematic. I guess I’m a person who prefers to mix movies and games more than others.

  12. HairBandReject June 22, 2008 at 11:14 pm -

    I think you are all right. From what I’m hearing of MGS4 I would be annoyed too with hours of cut scenes and minutes of gameplay. However having a good amount of cut scenes is still awesome and makes it feel more cinematic. I guess I’m a person who prefers to mix movies and games more than others.

  13. LordRune June 23, 2008 at 4:51 am -

    I guess I’m with HairBandReject. Cut scenes really don’t bother me that much. I actually enjoy the chance to sit back and watch a nice well-written scene. Granted, if the cutscene is terrible (see The Incredible Hulk, Xbox 360) then it can really take away from a game.

  14. LordRune June 22, 2008 at 11:51 pm -

    I guess I’m with HairBandReject. Cut scenes really don’t bother me that much. I actually enjoy the chance to sit back and watch a nice well-written scene. Granted, if the cutscene is terrible (see The Incredible Hulk, Xbox 360) then it can really take away from a game.