That would be cool if Smudboy gained a "Totalbiscuit" level of popularity, and became the in depth gaming plot analysis guy on Youtube. It is well deserved.
I'm shocked you didn't mention how during the tutorial level while megan was talking that the doctors who later go missing are all introduced, including the one who gets his arm removed
Also, just an aside, but why wouldn't a researcher a security guy hook up? Sure they don't have a ton of overlap in terms of a workplace, but do people only date within their setup social circles now?
Deus Ex original character never really developed either, unless you decided he should. Or at the very least, you wanted to voice some personal emotion through him. He was designed to be that way to make for a different kind of plot, despite all the heavy influences and themes around him, to inflate the feeling that you were, despite all your railings against it, a cog in a machine (conspiracy). A very good cyberpunk element about how emotions are ground down in the new state being presented.
I actually found this game to have a worse plot than ME2.
I honestly didn't give a crap about any of the events that were happening. It doesn't help that Jensen is one of the most bland, sterile protagonists since Shepard.
This is why I enjoy Smudboy's vids. They're a good way of looking at story and plot. Plus, his analysis of them doubles as a nice tutorial on how to objectively look at any story.
But anyway, this channel is awesome. Your arguments couldn't be more clear. I'm sure it takes a lot of work, and I appreciate it, but I'm really looking forward to more games.
@ProkoLokor Yeah, Human Revolution does a lot better than Mass Effect 2 in that respect. Adam's "death and resurrection" defines his character a lot more than it ever did for Shepard.
@TheCryoScales They didn't need to be amputated. Adam didn't need half of the augmentations he ended up with - if you hack the computer in the first LIMB clinic, you find out that Sarif exploited a clause in Adam's contract that gave him full dictation over what augmentations Adam received if he were ever to need a surgery that required augmented implants. Sarif knew about how Adam's body naturally accepted augmentations without neuropozine, and he wanted to push his limits and see how many aug
"thus, a good plot is clear." wait, what? how does that follow?
Smudboy, would you mind explaining why a "good" plot has to be clear? The way you present it in the video kind of suggests that it is a self evident truth that a "good" plot must be clear. Could you explain your rationale and/or provide some evidence why the good plot must be clear?
Clarity implies understanding. If one does not understand what's happening, why things are taking place, a story could be about any series of random events, loosely connected for whatever reason, achieving (or not) any random goal.
A plot implies a motive. We at least need one motive to understand (i.e. murder mysteries.)
Clarity is a sign of good writing, and not just related, or key, to why events are connected.
@smudboy well actually ambiguity can also be a sign of intelligent writing, although it's debatable if the writers/directors/team intended for this game to be ambiguous, but then it becomes a debate of intention vs. laziness and such
@smudboy your oversimplifying things greatly, one does not have to have complete understanding to make a good plot, in fact if you understood everything from the beginning there would be no plot. Have you seen the movies memento, american psycho or tree of life? All great movies without "clear" stories.
Your breakdown of the plot of ME2 is what made me start paying more attention to the story of games I play and I felt Deus Ex was both really impressive and also convoluted so I'm looking forward to hearing more of your opinions of this game.
Actually, I don't you mentioned character arcs in the basics... but that was pretty well covered (as well as the rest of the video). I should show this to people so they know, well what a plot and story is and such. Basics. :)
@EdwardElric555 Based on the title and the content of the video and the game itself for that matter I really don't understand why you would think this was going to be a comedy? Or are you referring to his previous Mass Effect parody videos and you thought this was going to be like that? As far as I am aware this channel started out with the Mass Effect analysis videos which were done really well in my opinion so if you have not seen them yet I really recommend you do.
@TheVistix No it was a semi related off topic question I was curious about. Because I watch a lot of comedies that are just dumb and have no real literature value, I was just wondering did they need it or are alternatives to making a good story with a point & a lesson. A good example is South Park because Matt & Trey say they try really hard to have everything make sense in there crazy world, that's why there are scenes where characters standing around explaining how this works and why.
@EdwardElric555 Yes, this applies to comedies as well. You cite South Park as being an exception, but it too has Protagonists, Antagonists, and at least every episode I've seen, the narrative is clear, and makes sense (at least in the context of the world, and episode). Stan or Kyle are usually the protagonists, and the antagonists are usually the world around them.
"His body can take it"
JonathanXLindqviust 6 days ago
That would be cool if Smudboy gained a "Totalbiscuit" level of popularity, and became the in depth gaming plot analysis guy on Youtube. It is well deserved.
Pyrofreak321 1 week ago
Have you seen me3 demo "gameplay"? Something tells me you'd like the "strategy meeting".
BlackSephir 1 week ago
@BlackSephir At least NPCs are aware of Shepard's idiocy - "That's IT? That's the plan?"
ProkoLokor 1 week ago
actually the information you read at the beginning of the game has great relevance to the plot. Great relevance.
Crebralassassin 2 weeks ago
I'm shocked you didn't mention how during the tutorial level while megan was talking that the doctors who later go missing are all introduced, including the one who gets his arm removed
evilengland2001 3 weeks ago
Also, just an aside, but why wouldn't a researcher a security guy hook up? Sure they don't have a ton of overlap in terms of a workplace, but do people only date within their setup social circles now?
evilmiera 4 weeks ago
Deus Ex original character never really developed either, unless you decided he should. Or at the very least, you wanted to voice some personal emotion through him. He was designed to be that way to make for a different kind of plot, despite all the heavy influences and themes around him, to inflate the feeling that you were, despite all your railings against it, a cog in a machine (conspiracy). A very good cyberpunk element about how emotions are ground down in the new state being presented.
evilmiera 4 weeks ago
I actually found this game to have a worse plot than ME2.
I honestly didn't give a crap about any of the events that were happening. It doesn't help that Jensen is one of the most bland, sterile protagonists since Shepard.
STRING3R 4 weeks ago
This is why I enjoy Smudboy's vids. They're a good way of looking at story and plot. Plus, his analysis of them doubles as a nice tutorial on how to objectively look at any story.
VidEvage 1 month ago
I must comment in again just to say I really like your videos. Keep them up.
sorwis 1 month ago
I'm guessing if you do ME3, you'll be tearing it 3 new assholes.
Pyrofreak321 1 month ago
But anyway, this channel is awesome. Your arguments couldn't be more clear. I'm sure it takes a lot of work, and I appreciate it, but I'm really looking forward to more games.
Pyrofreak321 1 month ago
xbox controller? eww :P
Pyrofreak321 1 month ago
@ProkoLokor Yeah, Human Revolution does a lot better than Mass Effect 2 in that respect. Adam's "death and resurrection" defines his character a lot more than it ever did for Shepard.
WilliamTylerFlack 1 month ago
@WilliamTylerFlack I have no idea why ME2 forgot that the Cipher made Shepard special, not his skills as a Pokemon trainer.
ProkoLokor 1 month ago 2
Interesting, ME2 resurrected the main character but forgot why he's special. Hopefully here the game won't forget it.
ProkoLokor 1 month ago 2
True, Adam is the head of security... but for how long? Is it even told for how long he's working there?
ProkoLokor 1 month ago
@ProkoLokor
it is, i dont rember, but for a short time, half a year ? Been a while since i played the game.
googleslocik 1 month ago
Looking forward to more, always a pleasure.
iAmCrosh 1 month ago
I get quite excited by your level of educated reasoning and assuredness.
MuchToDoAboutNowt 1 month ago
Really well done. I look forward to part 2. :)
devilsadvocate22289 1 month ago
Audio normalization between you and the game is better in this video than the first, but still needs work. Try Audacity.
Also, what the hell is "ViSO ISG"?
Zenthik 1 month ago
@TheCryoScales They didn't need to be amputated. Adam didn't need half of the augmentations he ended up with - if you hack the computer in the first LIMB clinic, you find out that Sarif exploited a clause in Adam's contract that gave him full dictation over what augmentations Adam received if he were ever to need a surgery that required augmented implants. Sarif knew about how Adam's body naturally accepted augmentations without neuropozine, and he wanted to push his limits and see how many aug
WilliamTylerFlack 1 month ago
What always confused me about this game is why Adam's arms were amputated
I could understand all the other augmentations, but why would they have to amputate his arms when they were clearly not very damaged
TheCryoScales 1 month ago
"thus, a good plot is clear." wait, what? how does that follow?
Smudboy, would you mind explaining why a "good" plot has to be clear? The way you present it in the video kind of suggests that it is a self evident truth that a "good" plot must be clear. Could you explain your rationale and/or provide some evidence why the good plot must be clear?
scheuder 1 month ago
@scheuder
Clarity implies understanding. If one does not understand what's happening, why things are taking place, a story could be about any series of random events, loosely connected for whatever reason, achieving (or not) any random goal.
A plot implies a motive. We at least need one motive to understand (i.e. murder mysteries.)
Clarity is a sign of good writing, and not just related, or key, to why events are connected.
smudboy 1 month ago 8
@smudboy well actually ambiguity can also be a sign of intelligent writing, although it's debatable if the writers/directors/team intended for this game to be ambiguous, but then it becomes a debate of intention vs. laziness and such
evilengland2001 3 weeks ago
@smudboy your oversimplifying things greatly, one does not have to have complete understanding to make a good plot, in fact if you understood everything from the beginning there would be no plot. Have you seen the movies memento, american psycho or tree of life? All great movies without "clear" stories.
Crebralassassin 2 weeks ago
Your breakdown of the plot of ME2 is what made me start paying more attention to the story of games I play and I felt Deus Ex was both really impressive and also convoluted so I'm looking forward to hearing more of your opinions of this game.
6thfloormadness 1 month ago 10
@6thfloormadness Same here. Before, I didn't pay much attention to the consistency of game plots.
SternMann93 1 month ago
Actually, I don't you mentioned character arcs in the basics... but that was pretty well covered (as well as the rest of the video). I should show this to people so they know, well what a plot and story is and such. Basics. :)
tpiom 1 month ago
How do comedies fit into this? Most comedy don't have real well developed plot or antagonist.
EdwardElric555 1 month ago
@EdwardElric555 Based on the title and the content of the video and the game itself for that matter I really don't understand why you would think this was going to be a comedy? Or are you referring to his previous Mass Effect parody videos and you thought this was going to be like that? As far as I am aware this channel started out with the Mass Effect analysis videos which were done really well in my opinion so if you have not seen them yet I really recommend you do.
TheVistix 1 month ago 2
@TheVistix
No he means deus ex was a comedy game
The plot in that game was a joke
googleslocik 1 month ago
@TheVistix No it was a semi related off topic question I was curious about. Because I watch a lot of comedies that are just dumb and have no real literature value, I was just wondering did they need it or are alternatives to making a good story with a point & a lesson. A good example is South Park because Matt & Trey say they try really hard to have everything make sense in there crazy world, that's why there are scenes where characters standing around explaining how this works and why.
EdwardElric555 1 month ago
@EdwardElric555 Yes, this applies to comedies as well. You cite South Park as being an exception, but it too has Protagonists, Antagonists, and at least every episode I've seen, the narrative is clear, and makes sense (at least in the context of the world, and episode). Stan or Kyle are usually the protagonists, and the antagonists are usually the world around them.
darkdesigns 1 month ago
@darkdesigns ...Or Cartmen :P
darkdesigns 1 month ago