From the left, be it Mass Effect, Dragon Age: Origins, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic or Jade Empire; you can't go wrong with a BioWare game.
You may never read another sci-fi book again. Want to be a knight or mage and take on a gigantic dragon? No need to read the exploits of other heroes doing this, you can be the hero yourself. Whenever I feel like making a list of what video games have the best story or what characters are the most dynamic, it always comes back to one video game developer. BioWare has taken the RPG genre by storm and with each game they have released, has become an instant classic to many; including myself. Take any title from their current or last generation library and you will be treated to perhaps the best and challenging gameplay and storytelling you will ever experience in any video game. And the best part: It’s pretty much up to you how the story plays out.
Humble BeginningsWith any story, it best to start at the beginning. BioWare has a skeleton for how each story begins. You are pretty much a regular person who is quickly caught up in a global (or galactic) plight that you must avert. BioWare follows this formula to a “T” with their games, but no more is the origin story most expanded upon than with Dragon Age: Origins. As a human noble, your family is quickly betrayed by supposed allies. If you decide to go the mage route, you are smack-dab in the center of the mistreatment of mages because of their mystical powers and risk of falling prey to demons. BioWare gets the story going with these origins and they are all dynamic. It is your first real attachment you will gain with your character and it doesn’t skimp on the action. And this is only the beginning of your adventure.
A Cadre of CharactersYou can’t prevent the end of existence alone. You need a group of heroes that are willing to fight by your side and most importantly: not get you killed.
But these are not just generic constructs in a crowd. These are people. They had lives before you came into theirs and their past will quickly catch up to them and affect your standings with them if you want to help them. In Mass Effect, a crew member will regale you with tales of his past battles and plights of home and will look to you to get back a family heirloom precious to him. Get it back for them and they will remember that deed you did for them; perhaps when you have a gun pointed at your head.
The different characters are one of the reasons to keep playing. Some will have witty quips with every action you take; some characters will want you to blast an enemy away as quickly as possible while others will want you to reason with them as to not incite violence. It all depends on the choices you make.
Talk it OutWhen dealing with characters, if you want to get a real good feel for them, you’re going to have to talk to them. But these are conversations you are going to want to have. Some of the best stories come out of just kicking back and listening to your companions talk to you.
If you want to get the most out of character interactions, think of your companions as friends, because in the game they pretty much are your friends. Some will be more responsive to you being nice to them, but others will respect you more if you decide to stand up for yourself and challenge them when they push you.
Your Choices Do MatterBioWare isn’t just giving you a story to be a part of. They are giving you the chance to craft a story yourself. During your time with a BioWare game, you will be given choices that will shape your character and affect the outcome of the game. Do you choose to enslave a deity to your will or will you set it free? Will you decide to side with elves for their aid or sever your ties with them and fight alongside a race of werewolves?
And these choices matter not only to you, but to your companions as well. In Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic, you are given the option to stay a Jedi or become a Sith Lord. Seeing as how these two factions don’t get along, you won’t be able to continue your journey anymore with your Jedi allies. Not only that, but you must kill them all before you can continue. And even AFTER THAT, you still have to go back and slay more of your faithful companions!
BioWare really likes to place choice inside their video games and really wants to emphasize that these choices will have lasting consequences and there is no longer lasting choice than having to slaughter allies you have been questing with for over 35 hours.
So if you really like great stories, then BioWare is a perfect gaming company for you. Any type of adventure you will ever experience with a book, BioWare will deliver to you ten fold.
