Crysis 2 Writer Says Uncharted 2 Did Storytelling Right

As you may already know from our preview, sci-fi novelist Richard Morgan is writing the story for Crysis 2.

What you may not know is that he has already spoken out concerning other game stories. Morgan has called out the plot in the popular Halo games for being "bullsh**" and he has made similar harsh remarks concerning Killzone 2. On the flip side, he said Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is an example of how a game can produce a solid story; he told NowGamer that good storytelling and great gameplay can indeed coexist. Said Morgan:

"There is absolutely no reason why you can’t weld a really good narrative to a really cool shooting game. Uncharted 2 is the perfect example...it’s tongue-in-cheek, but it’s a compelling story and it’s a very straight-forward gameplay dynamic. Crysis 2, fine, it is fundamentally about firefights – about shooting stuff – but so was BioShock. The whole point about BioShock was the texture that made it."

If you read further in that article, you can see he clearly isn't interested in the "comic book" feel of things; he wants to move beyond that and produce something that feels more...well, adult. He wants to create characters that have "weight and gravitas, a depth to them," which is what we're now going to expect from Crysis 2. Morgan has talked a lot, apparently, so now it's time to back that up...and bear in mind, Mr. Writer, that we normally don't find great (or even good) writing in FPSs, as you have explicitly stated.

Related Game(s): Crysis 2

4/13/2010 10:54:32 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (50 posts)

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Taha1
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 11:25:08 AM
Reply

trying to win us back eh?

edit: by the way Ben, check this out ;) http://playstationlifestyle.net/2010/04/13/sony-sends-onslaught-of-psp-games-to-esrb-for-rating/

then click finger connection.

with the description for Finger Connection…. could that mean PSP2 will have a touch screen?

Last edited by Taha1 on 4/13/2010 11:32:00 AM

6 up, 2 down

Taha1
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:18:15 PM

i just noticed this news on n4g and i just want 2 let everyone know i posted before the news was on n4g

2 up, 4 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:09:36 PM

You double posted just to inform us you knew about it before a gaming website...splendid.

11 up, 3 down

Orvisman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:24:21 PM

No, LV, he double posted to let us know he ripped it from another gaming site and posted it to this gaming site before another gaming site posted it on its site.

Ow... now my head hurts.

Who cares!

8 up, 2 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:49:04 PM

Oh I see so he double posted to let us know he was one of many that had already seen the information given on the website and that he had seen this information before another website posted the information.

Right?

3 up, 2 down

hellish_devil
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 3:37:43 PM

@LV and Orvisman

Could you shut up??? I'm playing Halo and my one-neuron brain isn't capable of understanding what you are saying. Besides, I use my only neuron to troll on sites and to explain with EVERY SINGLE FACT that the xbox 360 is better than the ps3

Last edited by hellish_devil on 4/13/2010 3:41:34 PM

7 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:35:42 PM

@ Hellish: you didn't forget your sarcasm tags
ah, see what I did there, yeah, oh wait
^Sarcasm^
yeah.

3 up, 0 down

Cavan
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 11:42:52 AM
Reply

although am looking forward to crysis 2, it does kinda feel abit like a killzone game

3 up, 1 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:17:08 PM

or maybe it's just simply pc crysis 2 > ps3 crysis 2 > 360 crysis 2..

0 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 11:23:02 PM

woops, wrong reply D:

0 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 11:53:49 AM
Reply

Crysis 2 better deliver with how much mudslinging going on.

All I want to know is...

... Did these guys work for Microsoft at one time?

11 up, 0 down

godsman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:23:56 PM

I know, they are acting like jackasses. It doesn't matter as long as they have the talent to back it up. They just keep bashing the other games to get publicity. Uncharted 2 has awesome graphics, if they try to up that with Crysis 2 that's fine, but the math doesn't make sense:

if:
Crysis 2 PS3 > Uncharted 2 &
Crysis 2 PS3 = Crysis 2 Xbox
therefore:
Crysis 2 Xbox 360 > Uncharted 2 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

They better have something to show other than all these trash talk.

10 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:25:32 PM

My point exactly. It doesn't make sense.

Personally, trash talking devs to me, are a joke.

Turn 10, Crytek.. I am looking at you!

10 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:39:33 PM

Well, PC devs have long since had massive elitist and superiority complexes.

This is hardly anything new.

14 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:51:38 PM

Maybe, just maybe....

Crysis 2 PS3 > Crysis 2 360

9 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:31:58 PM

Ben -

Indeed sir. My friend who has been a long time PC elitist just went PS3 about a week ago. I was forced to hear his bantor on a weekly basis.

My main point behind my statement was that you have never seen Polyphony or Naughty Dog attack anyone.

9 up, 0 down

godsman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:19:22 PM
Reply

I think Bioshock was an average shooting game, easily blended in with the hundreds of shooters every year. It was the story that gave it it's media attention. Story is too important for the success of all games, and I don't think the average consumer understands that. MW2 and GTA4 with the best stories?! COME ON!

Uncharted and MGS4 are the only two games with storyline that kept me playing the whole game. God of War story was great, but too predictable (kill god steal weapons). Even FF13 story was average. I easily put those games aside.

3 up, 0 down

Taha1
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:21:55 PM

gta4's story was good :O

4 up, 7 down

godsman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:25:17 PM

The story was "good" but not good enough to get 10 out of 10 story, so it can get perfect score overall.

9 up, 2 down

Zorigo
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:41:33 PM

GTA4 only really got 10 outta 10 coz it was the first really next gen game we'd seen. everything that came out after made us realise it wasn't so special.

i think thats why, i cant really comment on graphics and sound as i ahven't played enough of it to technically analyze it... but i think its coz it was the first of what is now basically above average

3 up, 1 down

SvenMD
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:45:52 PM

Zorigo I think you are exactly right. The cars and buildings in GTAIV look good, but the character models (esp the hands) are crap compared to Uncharted 2 or even other multiplats like MW2.

But because it was one of the first, it got a 10....it deserves about an 8-9.

And the story was not amazing either.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:48:07 PM

I thought that FFXIII's story was what saved it from mediocrity. Of course with any FF, it relies heavily on the ability of a person to catch subtext.

1 up, 3 down

Godslim
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:32:31 PM

gta4s story was not good!

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:36:54 PM

@world

It didn't save it for me. I'm haven't played it in a week. The mediocre battle system has become a burden.

Last edited by Jawknee on 4/13/2010 4:38:32 PM

1 up, 1 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:39:29 PM

I think Infamous' story was quite intriguing also, and I really love Kingdom Hearts' story, it just hits that thread in my mind for some reason.

0 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:25:03 PM
Reply

He's right about Uncharted 2.

He's also right about Halo and KZ2. Halo SP campaigns have always been lame. KZ2's story was pretty mundane and the dialogue was atrocious.

Let's hope Crysis 2 gives us something entertaining story-wise.

9 up, 0 down

godsman
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:31:01 PM

That's because the average American kids just want to shoot someone in the head and watch blood splatter all over and go "WHOA".

Story is usually told in cutscenes, and if the story isn't good enough it'll just a 3-5 minute of boredom, interrupting the action and adrenaline flow.

Short cutscenes with poor character development has always been the formula for FPS, which is why I hate playing these games. Where is the theme? There has to be a better reason for you to shoot than to just kill.

8 up, 1 down

Hezzron
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:53:40 PM

I love FPS`s.....but some are definitely better than others.

2 up, 0 down

SolidFantasy
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:36:13 PM
Reply

While the story to U2 was very well done and timed evenly, it was also a little unoriginal. I've seen dozens of movies use the same formula.

The entire MGS series is unparalleled in story telling as far as I can tell. U2 is a step in the right direction for action and shooter games though.

1 up, 2 down

Alienange
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:16:11 PM

You've seen dozens of movies TRY to use the same formula and fail miserably. That's what you've seen. What you have NOT seen, is games use this formula so successfully.

5 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:50:39 PM

There are only a handful of story forumulas out there, every game and every movie just recycles them.

1 up, 1 down

SolidFantasy
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 5:33:52 PM

When you break it down I still have difficulty telling the difference between the mediocre Tome Raider movies and U2's story(I haven't seen the new Indiana Jones movie, but I assume it could be thrown in the mix as well).

Then again I also enjoy playing U2 a lot more than watching (or playing) Tome Raider partially due the story flow of the game... So you might have a point Alienange

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:15:41 PM
Reply

lol@Crytek

Thank you for the compliments, but we don't need to hear it. It's a known fact, Uncharted 1 and 2 are truly this generation's most important games. By the way, UC1 was amazing, so sad that it gets so overshadowed by how good UC2 is. For most of 2007 and 2008, UC1 was known as one of the best looking games to date*

5 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:17:53 PM
Reply

"good storytelling and great gameplay can indeed coexist"

Whether Crysis 2 delivers or not, at least this guy BELIEVES the right thing.

7 up, 0 down

Nynja
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:25:33 PM
Reply

When you are trying to market your company's game engine to other developers; First, I would -NOT- do is slam potential customers. Having a holier than thou attitude is not the way to advertise your product to other techies. Second, I would shut this guy's hole before says anything else.

I don't know what to think about this guy yet.

Last edited by Nynja on 4/13/2010 1:26:47 PM

6 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:39:43 PM
Reply

Uncharted 2 only improved on the excelelnt sotry from uncharted df.

i just suddenly remembered the bit in uncharted 1 where your on rocky pillars on a waterfall, and you take out a jeep by blowing up some barrels next to it. i loved that i figured that out so quickly when i played it first time.

just good times...

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 1:49:51 PM
Reply

I hate to interrupt his boasting to tell him this but most of the FPS nuts don't play them for the story.

1 up, 3 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 2:10:45 PM

Good point World, and it shows for a majority of FPS games.

1 up, 3 down

little dreamer
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:02:52 PM
Reply

We will see how the story does for his game. But it's always good to hear more praise for uncharted 2.

1 up, 0 down

Lairfan
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:16:52 PM
Reply

This guy actually got me interested in Crysis 2 with his talk of an actual story this time around.

The problem is, he may be talking out of his ass, or he may not be. Only time will tell.

1 up, 0 down

Gordo
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:20:33 PM
Reply

I'm sure someone has said this before but buying a FPS for the story is like buying Playboy for the car articles...

1 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 4:45:23 PM
Reply

It's still nice to see that at least they try to get a good story in their game.

0 up, 0 down

SmokeyPSD
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 7:03:54 PM
Reply

illl stick to heavy rain thanks.

0 up, 0 down

ZubraZap
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 12:28:50 AM
Reply

Good to be back. . On topic: I kind of like the Halo canon. I figure the story for Crysis 2 will mirror its brilliant graphics.

Saw Deicide live on my PSXE downtime. Brilliant avatar @Hellish.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 1:04:07 AM

OMG where the hell have you been? Please say on The Amazing Race.

0 up, 1 down

___________
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 2:55:27 AM
Reply

it did?
i love naughty dog as much as the next guy, probably more but uncharted 2 had one of the boringest, most cliche, swiss cheesed storylines ever!
it was so cliche, just too much Hollywood sunshine fairies and everything turns out fine.
and the plot and story had more holes than swiss cheese!
how do drake and chloe know each other?
how do drake and the other a$$ know each other?
what happened between uncharted 1 and 2?
what happened to sully, and elana.
uncharted 2 was just a game, with a lets go to shangrila a mythical temple story line slapped on.
almost as bad as KZ2s story, almost but not quite there yet.

you want a game with a good storyline, look no further than the assassins creed series!
the depth amount of thought and complexity that has gone into the story alone is absolutely mind blowing!
quite interesting how it pre dates back to adam and eve, and how they actually found the apple.
to truly understand the story in AC you need to buy the guide, it has hundred or so pages on the story alone! stuff the game, just on explaining what all the codes above desmonds bet meant, and explaining the glyphs in AC2.
assassins creed has the best story in a video game ever! and i wont be surprised if its never topped!

0 up, 0 down

slimey
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 3:26:18 AM
Reply

With Uncharted2, it wasn't that thre was a great story. The story was pretty generic Tomb Raider stuff, as SolidFantasy points out.

It's that the story was so well told, with characters & story flow that hooked you in just as much as the gameplay/graphics etc.

Not many games can do that. The fact that it didn't take itself too seriously was a bonus as well

0 up, 0 down

JackC8
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 1:55:06 PM

Exactly - the best story in the world isn't worth a thing if the characters aren't great as well. The audience first has to care about the people involved - THEN they can care about what they're doing.

0 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 6:02:13 PM
Reply

Wow Zubra-Z, the last post I remember of you was the RE5 review and poof you just up and vanished. People need to stop disappearing on me!

Back on topic, yeah Jack, I agree completely with your idea of first coming to love the characters involved in the story which then makes you care about there adventure. I mean why would you like to know something about a character that you hate!? Uncharted 2 might not have had the most original story, but the characters made you care about them which in turn yielded an emotional experience where you felt involved in the character's well-being. Uncharted 2 successfully constructed likable characters all within a solid storyline. This is where it succeeded where so many others have failed.

0 up, 0 down

RebelJD
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 7:50:53 PM
Reply

If and when a FPS targets online play as their key selling point, the story will suck. It's been proven countless amounts of time with each "blockbuster" FPS release. People either don't play the "story mode", "campaign mode", "single player mode", whatever you want to call it..and jump straight to online play. If that's going to be the case, just offer these games as downloads instead of packaged for retail.

If gamers were smarter they'd stop supporting games they purchase merely for online play and quit complaining about how the "story" sucks.

0 up, 0 down

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Crysis 2 Writer Says Uncharted 2 Did Storytelling Right

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