The relationship between environment and story (HUGE potential in PoE)

Hello, been following this game for a while, and lurking the forums a bit recently. The developers have done an excellent job in creating a dark and vivid atmosphere, while at the same time allowing for variation to exist. In videos and screenshots I've seen: barren deserts riddled with lonely, craggy rocks, forests teeming with life (and death of course), nicely textured,rocky winter landscapes, and shadow-filled dungeons. The creatures that inhabit these areas are also well detailed and from what I've read on the "Monsters" page, each has its own interesting story of its relevance to Wraeclast. And from what I've seen from the audio samples, an awesome, mood-setting, atmospheric soundtrack will compliment it all.
What I'd really like to stress out here is that PoE has the potential to whip out a mesmerizing story that can prosper in its rich atmosphere. The lore is fantastic. I hope we will get some nice character dialogue, journal entries, and maybe even some exploration as to the monsters and their purpose (which is already on the website, I hope we can learn more in-game!)
I know there has been some criticism over PoE's lack of storyline (as mentioned by IGN) but I'm pretty sure it just hasn't been implemented yet. The whole "exiled from their homeland to a dark world of horror" theme is to awesome to be neglected. Maybe I'm just too passionate about the impact and importance of story because I study and write fiction :P But I'm sure that a deep and artistic narrative can thrive in PoE's atmosphere. I hope GGG will strive to include this for release, or maybe I'm speaking too soon and we'll get a feel for the narrative in the beta.

I love the shear force of the sword & sorcery melody this game is riddled with. The very idea feels like a Robert E. Howard or Andre Norton book, the gameplay should meet the mood you've set, dark and gritty but above all realistic and horrifying at times, which is why I want volume and weight inventory and equipment durability (like mentioned in the area description), I would like to remove my undead foes' limbs! This is the type of dream world many great dark fantasy authors describe!

I agree with both of the above posters. This game already has stunning visuals, the graphics are quite honestly outstanding. The Music that we have heard thus far is phenominal at drawing the listener into the world.

We have seen narrative on the Areas section and the Monsters Section of this website, and its some of the best ive read in a while. With that being said, I don't see how GGG could possibly release the game without continuing on that narrative/lore.

It just wont happen, the game is in Alpha, the Lore and Narrative don't need to be in an Alpha build, the build that IGN played.

I have full faith that GGG will realize the potential they have for making this game something incredible and they will not release the product without having DETAILED gorgeous Lore/Narrative.

I totally agree, if this game were to really reach its maximum potential, it would need a story with such detail and flow that the player isnt going to want to "put that book down".

The thing Im worried about though, I havent played Diablo 1 or 2 so Im not sure how the game works, but what happens when you complete the story? Do you just go back and restart from the beginning, is there stuff to do after you have finished killing the final boss?

My biggest pet peeve is playing games that have a story that you must follow and when you finish the story, the game just ends or the world just becomes flat. Like grand theft auto, when you finish that story, theres really nothing left to do besides go driving around killing stuff.

Or is this game going to be like- play the story and when youre done, focus on building your character so you can pwn in PVP?

I guess this is why I've always been a casual gamer, playing more sim games or rts games, because theres no real story you must follow, you just keep playing making something completely different everytime.

shroomzebra,
In Diablo 1 after the story was over you moved on to the next Difficulty in search for better gear for your character. You completed Normal, then went on to Nightmare, then finally Hell difficulty.

In Diablo 2 this was also the case, however Diablo 2 had more of a PvP Friendly aspect to it. And most of the people that maxed out at level 99 could be found in games called "Duels" or "Duels2" and it was easy to join in a PvP.

As far as story after the story is over, I think we all realize that cant happen. To have an ulimited story, means unlimited resources, and no one can do that.

I am almost certain that if Path of Exile becomes a huge succuess that GGG will release one or even several expansions. As much as GGG loves making games, they are a buisness first and foremost and they wont turn their backs on something thats pulling in money!

Regarding "what happens when you complete the story:"

I guess its up to the developer, and how they end the story. In one scenario, maybe the story will end in such a way that the character is permanently trapped in Wraeclast, and doomed to live the rest of his/her days there. In a way, this could give the story some continuity. For example, the Templar may live out the rest of his days as some sort of ascetic warrior, seeking to attain a higher level of spirituality and understanding, as is befitting to his character. I guess its also up to the player. How willing is the player to interpret the ending of a story as having continuity and lasting meaning? Maybe I'm just rambling on here and it's best to just wait for an expansion pack lol

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shroomzebra wrote:

My biggest pet peeve is playing games that have a story that you must follow and when you finish the story, the game just ends or the world just becomes flat. Like grand theft auto, when you finish that story, theres really nothing left to do besides go driving around killing stuff.

You should go try Just Cause 2 if you have a systemn you can run it on.

But yes this game will be very much like what you described with the character content. In fact, that's the majority of what people try to do in these games. Continuously building up their characters, testing new builds, hunting for the elusive rare drops.

I'm fairly certain that GGG realizes how important the story is for their game. Unfortunately, it's not in the game yet but they're definitely working on it.

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SpudOfDoom wrote:

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shroomzebra wrote:

My biggest pet peeve is playing games that have a story that you must follow and when you finish the story, the game just ends or the world just becomes flat. Like grand theft auto, when you finish that story, theres really nothing left to do besides go driving around killing stuff.

You should go try Just Cause 2 if you have a systemn you can run it on.

But yes this game will be very much like what you described with the character content. In fact, that's the majority of what people try to do in these games. Continuously building up their characters, testing new builds, hunting for the elusive rare drops.

Yeah haha I figured, oh well it's not my ideal game but I still can't wait to play. It looks like a hella fun game that I'd probably play a couple times but focus on one character just so I wont have to go through the same story over and over again :p

I guess what I really meant when I said that the story needed to be good was not the actual dialogue and characters bit. But the world itself, the surroundings, the lore. The thing that gets people captivated by Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings, and big movies like that is not from the story itself but from the setting that it's in.

A good history to Wraeclast is what I'm hoping for the most

And as for that Just Cause 2 game, I'm definitely gonna check it out, thanks :D