Old World Blues: Environmental storytelling

WorstUsernameEver

But best title ever!
It would appear that Screenjabber really enjoyed Old World Blues, as they not only award the add-on a perfect score in their review but also dedicate one of their "Game Critique Corners" to its handling of environmental storytelling.<blockquote>Each of the Think Tank members has become dysfunctional in different ways with one of them becoming obsessed with the human body, one has lost their voicebox, another talks in a trashy 50s sci-fi trailer announcer guy like this: putting EMPHASIS on CERTAIN WORDS such as TERROR and the HORROR! There are three Think Tank members who have particular dysfunctional traits that are exploited heavily. Dr Klein is the leader of the group and has anger issues, Dr Dala is the body obsessed one and Dr Mobius (the main antagonist) has a drug problem.

These are just spouts of dialogue which give depth and texture to the character, which lead to why they are so different in their language. What is perhaps more interesting however is when the environmental storytelling comes knocking, when the player just so happens to visit the place that the Scientists spent when they were human called Higgs Village. Suddenly, little items like Mentats and teddy bears take on whole new meanings and it is haunting and heartbreaking to explore their homes. The juxtaposition between how hilarious the writing is and how emotional this exploration is makes Old World Blues a highlight of my New Vegas career.

Dr Klein’s home is filled with empty bottles and alcohol everywhere. Every room is stuffed with it, and as you explore his home, you only uncover more little bites of story. His clothes are about the place, his items are about everywhere and the house is packed with party gear. It seems a world away from Klein’s anger and perhaps his work took over his life and lead him away from his friends, developing his anger management issues. Dr Dala’s house is full of teddy bears, constantly referenced in her dialogue, and this reveals her obsession with the human body. The innocence of the teddy bears and way she could play with them is quite… creepy.</blockquote>Thanks, GameBanshee.
 
Portal 2-quality level of writing

Hmmm, another one.

I am not going on a nagging tour but if anything to me, it sticked to its own source regarding writing, and not imitating a game that came out a decade later.
 
The Dutch Ghost said:
Portal 2-quality level of writing

Hmmm, another one.

I am not going on a nagging tour but if anything to me, it sticked to its own source regarding writing, and not imitating a game that came out a decade later.

Er, he was talking about the quality of the writing there.
 
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