Telltale Games

*Irishmile* · 04/20/2010, 01:25 pm

I have already voiced my support for the narrator.. but let me elaborate... He adds to the b-movie scifi vibe of the series... he also helps pass along useful information and or back story.. without Sam or Max have to spell things out blatantly... this way they can remain in character the entire time and not break the forth wall too much.

sascha23 · 04/20/2010, 01:27 pm

The narrator is brilliant.

Don't be a fool.

sascha23 · 04/20/2010, 01:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winckle

The narrator is really awesome. I hope we will see more of him in the future episodes. Maybe, he's the devil?

Seriously -- this guy is totally original and unique. Not to mention he opens the first season with the best line ever.

Any classy gamer worth his/her salt would take a boon like this any day over a character like Hugh Bliiii....uh, can't even say his name without getting the shivers.

S

Yandros · 04/20/2010, 04:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizpig

He's the best thing that could have happened to the game.

I think he's a good character, but the use of the narration seems to be a crutch for somewhat lackluster writing. Typically if one wants a narrator, one picks a transitional character to tell the story. A completely third-party narration is ... unseemly?

Don't get me wrong, the dialogs and puzzles are very good (in fact probably the best of the S&M games thus far), and perhaps the narrator is a clever parody of 60's scifi, but to me at least he seems to be dropped in for the purpose of the initial tutorial (which is clearly for the new console players) and to explain the (relatively) complex reverse-causality puzzle system in the new season. (Both of which could have been approached in a different way.)

It remains to be seen if "the narrator" has any actual role in the story. Perhaps he is the devil to whom the toychest belongs ( or the devil's advocate

)? If so his presence is more acceptable, but I still think he was overused in this first game.

BiggerJ · 04/20/2010, 08:04 pm

Theory: the Narrator is the present form of the previous being to acquire all the toys and ascend to unspeakable godhood. Rather than fulfill his role as destroyer of the universe, he left the universe to observe it from outside. His rose is one of those squirty joke flowers - one of the Toys of Power. It's insurance, you see - the other toys were scattered across the universe by the Great Comet, but the Narrator kept one, to keep the set from being reunited. Perhaps in Episode 5 Max gets the rest of the toys, tears a hole in reality and visits the Narrator himself to complete the set.

Rather Dashing · 04/20/2010, 10:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yandros

I think he's a good character, but the use of the narration seems to be a crutch for somewhat lackluster writing. Typically if one wants a narrator, one picks a transitional character to tell the story. A completely third-party narration is ... unseemly?

Are you saying that The Twilight Zone, possibly the best television series ever produced, is poorly written?

Didero · 04/21/2010, 01:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishmile

I have already voiced my support for the narrator.. but let me elaborate... He adds to the b-movie scifi vibe of the series... he also helps pass along useful information and or back story.. without Sam or Max have to spell things out blatantly... this way they can remain in character the entire time and not break the forth wall too much.

Isn't one of Sam & Max's (original) character traits to overexplain everything they do? I vaguely remember reading that somewhere...

Giant Tope · 04/21/2010, 01:36 am

^Erm... Kind of, but not in the same way. I'm not good at explaining these things.

Didero · 04/21/2010, 01:39 am

Maybe I would understand better if I had read the comics. I plan to buy those during the next free shipping deal

tredlow · 04/21/2010, 01:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperBosco

I don't trust him, he's not even in color.

The term is 'caucasian'

Sam & Gromit · 04/21/2010, 11:42 am

I really like the narrator. In my opinion he's the best new character of the new season so far. And I'm glad TellTales is using new characters. Of course we miss Bosco, Cybil, Lincoln, and so on and so on. They are great chracters, but overusing them would reduce their greatness and sooner or later every episode would feel the same. The narrator ensures that this episode feels indeed very different from previous ones.

btw: Is nobody wondering about the brain and the narrator having the same voice? (Or am I wrong here???). They even use a similar vocabulary. The biggest difference seems to be that they have a pretty different way to pronounce "power".
(The narrator pronounces it in a more funny kind of way.)
The brain say's it formerly had an appearance similar to an platypus, but with a bit of imagination the narrator resembles a platypus too, doesn't he? XD

I also wouldn't say that the narrator is unrelated to the story. Even if he is not related to the brain, we still can't say that for sure. I wouldn't be surprised to find out later on that he's the season's main villain, manipulating Max in order to make him destroy the universe or something like that...

Kroms · 04/21/2010, 11:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Highway

These guys are all awesome. I want to see Hugh Bliss back! But those Soda Poppers... grrrrr

Get hit by a fast truck. After you recover from your coma and the shock that you lost twenty years of your life plus your memory, replay Season One.

No need to bring back characters - especially dead ones - unless they are irreplaceable.

Giant Tope · 04/21/2010, 11:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam & Gromit

btw: Is nobody wondering about the brain and the narrator having the same voice? (Or am I wrong here???). They even use a similar vocabulary. The biggest difference seems to be that they have a pretty different way to pronounce "power".

What? They sound completely different.

Yandros · 04/21/2010, 02:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rather Dashing

Are you saying that The Twilight Zone, possibly the best television series ever produced, is poorly written?

(Check this out?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westing...silu_Playhouse

I think narration is correctly suited for short stories where each story has a different set of main characters and a different setting. There is no more direct way to start and end the story in those instances.

If they wanted to put the narrator in as a purely parodic character, then that would have looked a little different. As it is, its hard to tell where he fits in the story, and thus far its certainly not consistent with previous S&M episodes.

To draw a slight analogy. If a comedy show (like Southpark for example), were to introduce narration for just one season, initially as a parody, but then ended up leaning on the narration to tell the story, where previously they had not needed to, then I would call this bad writing.

Hassat Hunter · 04/21/2010, 03:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam & Gromit

btw: Is nobody wondering about the brain and the narrator having the same voice? (Or am I wrong here???).

Nope, both Andrew (Max in 101).

And sometimes a banana is just a banana, and a narrator a narrator. Wheter that is the case here though... no idea.

Metiphis · 04/22/2010, 12:35 am

I love the narrator and his spotty head.

aswallom · 04/23/2010, 02:41 pm

It's not 'bad writing' to use a 3rd-person omniscient narrator, regardless of whether that character remains removed from the action entirely or enters into the story in any capacity himself; it's only 'bad writing' if the story is...well...written badly.

This entire season is clearly intended to be framed like a 50s-60s Twilight Zone-style sci-fi/fantasy/horror/general weirdness television program (of which Twilight Zone was just the archetypal example: Outer Limits and Rod Serling's Twilight Zone follow-up Night Gallery come to mind as well); the Narrator is integral to creating the necessary tone and overall effect of one of those shows. The recurring Narrator, in addition to his actual narrative role, acts also as a linking device to demonstrate the union of all 5 parts of the story arc. Also, as a 3rd-person omniscient narrator, he has access to information that no one in the story can possibly know yet, so he can deal out ominous (well, mock-ominous anyway) foreshadowing, providing hints to future events (even if those hints turn out to be misleading or 'red herrings,' since that is another role of the Twilight Zone narrator). And of course, let's not forget one of the main components of the Serling-style narrator, the use of often wacky pseudo-morals and oddball aphorisms inserted at the episode's beginning and end (and often elsewhere as well), which are key to the overall Twilight Zone feel.

Remember folks, there are no absolute 'laws of narrative.' Everything hinges on the overall effect and the intended goal of the creator(s). If a literary technique or dramatic device moves the overall effect towards the author's ultimate goal, it works, and if it weakens the overall intended effect, then it is a mistake. Based on The Penal Code alone, the Narrator seems to fit perfectly into Telltale's plan for the season and therefore is clearly not an example of 'bad writing.' One doesn't have to like the Serling-esque storytelling model, but that is what Telltale is clearly trying to achieve here (albeit in a tongue-in-cheek, mocking fashion), so it isn't a fault of the writers, merely a preference of some of the players. Comme si, comme ça.

crashboy765 · 04/23/2010, 02:49 pm

i have to admit it did drive me crazy how the narrator appears and how he tells you stuff you already know, but thats it. i don't really like or hate the narrator guy.

Yandros · 04/23/2010, 09:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by aswallom

The recurring Narrator, in addition to his actual narrative role, acts also as a linking device to demonstrate the union of all 5 parts of the story arc. Also, as a 3rd-person omniscient narrator, he has access to information that no one in the story can possibly know yet, so he can deal out ominous (well, mock-ominous anyway) foreshadowing, providing hints to future events (even if those hints turn out to be misleading or 'red herrings,' since that is another role of the Twilight Zone narrator). And of course, let's not forget one of the main components of the Serling-style narrator, the use of often wacky pseudo-morals and oddball aphorisms inserted at the episode's beginning and end (and often elsewhere as well), which are key to the overall Twilight Zone feel.

Point well made.

Eyeball · 04/24/2010, 07:42 am

As of episode 1, I hate the narrator. His voice is an annoying drone, his appearance puzzlingly dull, I agree that his "Only YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU!" breaking of the 4th wall is tedious, his interruptions break game flow and I really don't see why he is necessary at all. While I am sure he'll get fleshed out more in the coming episoders, I really hope you'll dispense with the 4th wall breaking at least. That's only funny when Sam and Max does it.

04/20/2010, 01:25 pm	#41
Irishmile The Skipping Dead Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: WI, its a paradise 3 months of the year Posts: 6,542	I have already voiced my support for the narrator.. but let me elaborate... He adds to the b-movie scifi vibe of the series... he also helps pass along useful information and or back story.. without Sam or Max have to spell things out blatantly... this way they can remain in character the entire time and not break the forth wall too much. __________________ unholy THIS! I am a community moderator, here to assist, keep the peace, and keep these boards clean and friendly for all. I am a volunteer, and not a Telltale employee, and my opinions are my own.

04/20/2010, 08:04 pm	#45
BiggerJ Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 360	Theory: the Narrator is the present form of the previous being to acquire all the toys and ascend to unspeakable godhood. Rather than fulfill his role as destroyer of the universe, he left the universe to observe it from outside. His rose is one of those squirty joke flowers - one of the Toys of Power. It's insurance, you see - the other toys were scattered across the universe by the Great Comet, but the Narrator kept one, to keep the set from being reunited. Perhaps in Episode 5 Max gets the rest of the toys, tears a hole in reality and visits the Narrator himself to complete the set. Last edited by BiggerJ; 04/20/2010 at 08:11 pm.

04/21/2010, 01:36 am	#48
Giant Tope bashful little whaleshark Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Portland Posts: 2,171	^Erm... Kind of, but not in the same way. I'm not good at explaining these things. __________________ I am a dinosaur. BUT! i am hiding.

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04/20/2010, 01:27 pm	#42
sascha23 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 46	The narrator is brilliant. Don't be a fool.

04/21/2010, 01:39 am	#49
Didero Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 481	Maybe I would understand better if I had read the comics. I plan to buy those during the next free shipping deal

04/22/2010, 12:35 am	#56
Metiphis Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 36	I love the narrator and his spotty head.

04/23/2010, 02:41 pm	#57
aswallom Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	It's not 'bad writing' to use a 3rd-person omniscient narrator, regardless of whether that character remains removed from the action entirely or enters into the story in any capacity himself; it's only 'bad writing' if the story is...well...written badly. This entire season is clearly intended to be framed like a 50s-60s Twilight Zone-style sci-fi/fantasy/horror/general weirdness television program (of which Twilight Zone was just the archetypal example: Outer Limits and Rod Serling's Twilight Zone follow-up Night Gallery come to mind as well); the Narrator is integral to creating the necessary tone and overall effect of one of those shows. The recurring Narrator, in addition to his actual narrative role, acts also as a linking device to demonstrate the union of all 5 parts of the story arc. Also, as a 3rd-person omniscient narrator, he has access to information that no one in the story can possibly know yet, so he can deal out ominous (well, mock-ominous anyway) foreshadowing, providing hints to future events (even if those hints turn out to be misleading or 'red herrings,' since that is another role of the Twilight Zone narrator). And of course, let's not forget one of the main components of the Serling-style narrator, the use of often wacky pseudo-morals and oddball aphorisms inserted at the episode's beginning and end (and often elsewhere as well), which are key to the overall Twilight Zone feel. Remember folks, there are no absolute 'laws of narrative.' Everything hinges on the overall effect and the intended goal of the creator(s). If a literary technique or dramatic device moves the overall effect towards the author's ultimate goal, it works, and if it weakens the overall intended effect, then it is a mistake. Based on The Penal Code alone, the Narrator seems to fit perfectly into Telltale's plan for the season and therefore is clearly not an example of 'bad writing.' One doesn't have to like the Serling-esque storytelling model, but that is what Telltale is clearly trying to achieve here (albeit in a tongue-in-cheek, mocking fashion), so it isn't a fault of the writers, merely a preference of some of the players. Comme si, comme ça.

04/23/2010, 02:49 pm	#58
crashboy765 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Scoggins Posts: 42	i have to admit it did drive me crazy how the narrator appears and how he tells you stuff you already know, but thats it. i don't really like or hate the narrator guy.

04/24/2010, 07:42 am	#60
Eyeball Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11	As of episode 1, I hate the narrator. His voice is an annoying drone, his appearance puzzlingly dull, I agree that his "Only YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU!" breaking of the 4th wall is tedious, his interruptions break game flow and I really don't see why he is necessary at all. While I am sure he'll get fleshed out more in the coming episoders, I really hope you'll dispense with the 4th wall breaking at least. That's only funny when Sam and Max does it.