For instance, the Civ games are basically Whig History: The Game, presenting liberal capitalism as the ideal end point for all societies. It even includes uncivilized "barbarian tribes" whose sole purpose is to be exterminated so you can take their land for the glory of capitalism.
That ideologically contrived writing happens all the time in the Witcher series. If your particular Geraldo the Morally Grey tries to care about something other than his waifus or his adopted daughter, the writing punishes that.
Well that dampens my will to someday grow competent enough at The Witcher to play one of the games past the fist half-hour
oh no
I'll just stand by my personal feelings about the series: many of its fans say the combat is not the point, that it's all about the story, and I personally and subjectively hate the story it presents. To me, it wallows in apathy and status quo apologia and tries a little too hard to stand out with edginess, cussing, and le sexy sex.
I appreciate the point that one person can't change a world that is so much bigger than them. Directly counter to most video games approach, but important
I could accept that message if the writing wasn't in the habit of downright aggressively punishing attempts to improve society somewhat. Things could be temporary, transient, or ultimately futile, but the narrative thrust is "your Geraldo isnt being morally grey enough, you idiot" most of the time.
Cyberpunk 2077 does a very similar thing where "if you're not interested in trying to become A LEGEND OF NIGHT CITY(tm) and decide which of two douchebags rules V's brain, and instead want to improve society somewhat, tough shit."
I never got far enough into Witcher 3 to make heads or tails of it.
I love cussing and sex - especially sexy sex (no volcel violation intended. This parenthetical is legally binding) - as much as the next guy, but it can start to seem desperate at some point
That's my issue. It tries too hard. It's like how the Game of Thrones show's leaders demanded more rape and torture than even the books.
Agreed.
there definitely is some both sidesing in those games, but siding explicitly with the elves in the first two games never came off as overly negative or punishing to me.
I'd still check it out.
Eh it kinda does that liberal “they’re right to be mad but they’re bad for actually fighting back” thing, especially in Witcher 2. Hell that one big YouTuber, Joseph Anderson, came away from it with the opinion that all elves are scum it was so heavy handed lol
that's because Joseph Anderson is a fascist