Summary
What makes a classic story? The question is a bit more complicated than it seems. Is something a classic if it’s really good and really old? Just the former? Just the latter? Who decides what a classic is? Classic literature, classical stories, and even classic films have influenced entire genres of media that succeeded them. The question ofwhat is and isn’t a classic video gameis far more subjective than it is in other mediums, but that doesn’t mean that some truly astonishing games have been inspired by some of the oldest and most fundamental tenets of storytelling.
Is the three-act storytelling structure (often known as the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution) a fundamental tenet of storytelling? Probably not, but it’s a structure that suits many different books and films, fromStar WarstoPride and Prejudice. It makes sense that video games would look at incorporating this classic narrative feature, even in genres that are far more open-ended than what the direct nature of a three-act story would imply. Open-world games, in particular, manage to thrive with this direct and often linear means of storytelling, even in the midst of an expansive and open-ended environment.
There’s a lot of discourse on whatthe bestFalloutgameis (it’s New Vegas). Almost every game in the mainline series has its collection of fans who see their title as the pinnacle of the series, but regardless of which game is the best (it’s New Vegas),Fallout 4’s story, while not classicallyFallout, has enough stakes, tension, and character work across all three acts for the game to provide an incredibly memorable and dramatic story.
The three-act structure is not standard fare for theFalloutseries, but it works here as a great narrative device to keep players invested in the protagonist, who is given much more characterization by the developers than other ‘blank slate’ protagonists in this world.
Rockstar’s highly acclaimedRed Dead Redemption 2has six main chapters, which can be neatly divided into 3 acts as the story of Arthur and Dutch’s gang continues to unfold, with the overbearing presence of industrialization and civilization challenging the Van Der Linde Gang’s entire way of life.
RDR2is as much its own story as it is aprelude to John Marston’s, and this game is fantastic for people both familiar and unfamiliar with the original game. The mounting tension of the game, which really begins as early on as the prologue, truly begins to rise in chapters 3 and 4 - the middle of the narrative - in a classic three-act style. Arthur Morgan’s moral bearing, represented by his honor, is another huge factor in the color this story takes on - either hopeful or tragic.
Few games hit with the same impact and severity asGhost of Tsushima, and while it is filled with many of the open-world trappings that define games of this genre, like scattered collectibles, crafting, etc., the story is an incredibly powerful tale that stands alone.
The golden path missions neatly separateGhost of Tsushimainto its three acts, meaning that taking on other mission types are clearly delineated as not progressing the plot - which can be good, and moving from one Act to the next can change the game world in pretty drastic ways - including its difficulty.
Considering this title takes place in the same world as the most influential fantasy novel of all time, it isn’t surprising thatShadow of Mordorfollows a three-act structure in the same way that theLord of the Rings’three main books come together to form a trilogy. The main draw toShadow of Waris, of course,the Nemesis system, and perhaps using the title as a case study for what happens when people rally against unethical microtransaction practices. Players going into this title blind today wouldn’t know that this game was onceOrc Gacha Deluxe: Talion’s Lament.
Alas, while it isn’t the star of the show, the story certainly manages to shine. The main structure of the game can seem a bit obscured considering how open it becomes at a certain point, but the Bright Lord’s antics in Mordor, which truly begin after the first battle with the Ringwraiths, could certainly be classed as the beginning of Act 2, and the final battles before the concluding showdown a brief but bloody Act 3.
High-fantasy narratives in video games don’t get much better thanThe Witcher 3and its two previous titles. Rubbing shoulders with those lauded CRPGs and modern classics likeBaldur’s Gate 3,The Witcher 3and its tale, initially, of Geralt on Ciri’s path, is still being enjoyed by players today.
Following Ciri’s footsteps takes players through the first Act and into the second, where, as the waters of the story continue to get muddied, more plot threads expand, and the Wild Hunt looms on the horizon.
Ah,Fable. One day, that fourth installment will be released. One day. In the meantime, there are three mainlineFablegames for players to enjoy - as long as they understand the type of game they’re playing: one that’s very tongue-in-cheek.
The secondFablegame has three acts divided between the three heroes that the player has to search for to put an end to the colossal Spire being formed. The heroes of Strength, Will, and Skill each represent a progression in the story and the game world, leaving time for the player to see how their actions have shaped Albion.
