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[teezzy]

I just hope the game can engage me one way or the other. I enjoy good RPG elements and a nice plot above all else

Would still rather play a fighting or sports game usually these days

 

[anothertech]

The Edgelords disagree

 

[Intel RTX HD-LameLake 24K]

GTA IV's biggest problem isn't being dark,in fact besides the dull graphics the game never try to be that 'dark'(like the goofy as always radios&new added tv programs and internets,overly ridiculous physics)although coming straight from san andreas the overall atmosphere can feel very very unpleasant that's for sure.
As a gta fan myself,I'd say the game's main problem is:
1.The overall gameplay and mission design is just an almost endless boring chore,literally no obvious improvements over previous titles.(I gotta say world detail and side contents' quality feels a huge step up but no need to be included in this discussion )
2.Writing is quite awful(even for a gta game),story ain't engaging-I mean,you as the errand boy always end up doing the same stuff for different douchebags:go to kill this noname,go make that little nobody shut up,pick between me your boss and another one,one must gotta go balabalah and guess what,these missions all feeling the same and never making any difference,making any useful progression in your own so called "revenge" path.You doing jobs for 18 people during the story,and in the end only 3 helps you to find the target,what an impressive journey!And if you choose the 'revenge' option one of your friend will lost his sister due to your carelessness,but he ain't the one to help you to seek revenge on the killer?Lol okay then...
So why Niko himself must spending so much time doing these stuff?And you told your cousin in the beginning"Perhaps here things will be different,I won't fight for nothing good."Then in the midway all of a sudden you decided to join a freaking bank heist??How can you justify your actions!Maybe it's okay you ain't a good man you wanted to be(yeah,whatever),but don't do bad things for literally no decent reason at all! Yes people demand you to kill gangs,mobster goons,but nobody forces you to rob a bank and killing cops for god sake!
And let's not forget about the fact that someone has been stabbing me in the back and theraten to kill me and my family since the beginning chapter,but I never bother to try to fight back and I need to kill for money,for everything else!Lol okay then...no wonder you can't have a happy ending!This story ain't something that crying for dark and sad,just a straight up "you got what you deserved so don't cry for 'america dream is a lie',douchebag!"
So in my opinion is just the game is too boring to bring anything that can excite you for a while causes the problem,which is very crucial for a game called "grand theft auto".I do think gta games should try to carry some weight in the story aspect more,but I don't need the gameplay to be limited by this excuse all the time.When things being handled in this way what you can get is a game about "the good man wanted to kill for nothing,and he never killed that good".

 

[BigBooper]

I like dark stories, like GTA games, but if the environments are overwhelmingly bleak I don't. I don't care for RE games. I play City of Heroes occasionally, but I never play this villains because the zones are just red and black all over.

 

[baphomet]

The fuck are you even talking about?

You think gamers don't like "darker" games and then list multiple GOTY nominee/90+ scoring games.

 

[donfonzie]

One friend does not equate to all gamers.

People have varying tastes. Sometimes one might be in a mood to play a dark game like Doom/Bloodborne, or might want to play something llight-hearted like a Mario game etc.

 

[Cherry Sonoshee]

What are you talking about?

Cyperpunk will be one of the highest selling and most popular games this year.

Call of Duty games are constantly the best selling games.

The Souls series and related games are popular among core gamers.

M rated games sell and make up most of the core gaming fandom.

Gamers of all kinds like all kinds of games.

I'm not even sure the metric for "dark" is here since your primary example of Terminator 2 is not what I would consider dark. The movie is serious, but the entire story ends on a optimistic and hopeful very human condition based note. LOU2 which is highly praised is probably more dark and bleak then T2.

 

[Soodanim]

Some people want their downtime and escapism to be less grim. It might just be a misunderstanding of CP2077 and he perceives certain themes that aren’t actually there.

 

[Duchess]

Killzone 2 was a rather bleak game. The whole atmosphere was quite dark. I really liked it.

The devs apparently didn't like it so much, which is why Killzone 3 had a lighter tone.

 

[Clear]

Cyberpunk's "world" just doesn't appeal to some of us. Not because its dark per se, more because its pitched at a kind of awkward spot between contemporary hard-boiled crime fiction and SF. Its always been the same issue with it as a genre, and why most attempts at rendering it on the big screen flopped hard at the box-office.

My personal take is that it needs an "angle", some sort of plot or character element to act as a hook. The lack of this in CDPR's marketing has been very noticeable for me. Its supposed to be a long game, so why have they been so vague on what V's goals are in the game?

I guess it doesn't matter to a lot of people who are already sold on The Witcher's style of open-world WRPG freedom, and how visually impressive it all looks, but I have a suspicion that having such an amorphous lead, compared to the clearly defined Geralt of Rivia, is going to limit its appeal to a lot of the market.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I see it doing well out of the gate, but not having nearly the same legs as Witcher.

 

[tommib]

I think all my GOAT are super pitch-dark games. D, Quake, Demon’s Souls, RE: Remake, RE4, Silent Hill 2, Metroid Prime 2, Blade Runner, Evil Within... Even the original Tomb Raider had this oppressive isolation feel to it. I’m the same with film and music though. It’s just what it is.

I think there’s an audience for dark games maybe less nowadays than before. I haven’t found anything as dark as Demon’s Souls when it came out in 2009. Maybe Outlast?

 

[brian0057]

Terminator 2 has light in it. Yes, it’s very dark at times, but John reconciles with his mother, Sarah is shown to be not only sane but capable, John finds a father in the T-800, and the machine begins to understand humans and bonds with John.

There's also the countless action scenes with explosions that make you forget the bleakness of the story.

 

[Guilty_AI]

The problem isn't dark themes, its dark(lol) themes.

 

[tommib]

The problem isn't dark themes, its dark(lol) themes.

This. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within Is a great example.

 

[Guilty_AI]

This. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within Is a great example.

Or TLoU2

 

[Alexios]

You do realize all the games you're talking about people being "against" are some of the biggest, most hyped, and even multimillion sellers (those already out, bound to happen for Cyberpunk too if it's not a dud despite the hype), right?

I haven’t found anything as dark as Demon’s Souls when it came out in 2009.

Er, it spawned a whole trilogy, Dark Souls, side games like Bloodborne and Sekiro, put From Software on the map and got its director promoted within the company, their next game is one of the most highly anticipated for next gen. Not to mention the countless copycats and wannabes. That shows a waning of the style? Lol?

 

[INC]

Imagine alien isolation if it wasnt dark......

 

[Zannegan]

I think it's more the "gritty" that people have issues with, and mostly because it's usually so poorly executed, not in and of itself. Dark or even bleak done well tends to be very popular. Gritty, self-flagellating, melodrama tends to drive folks away.

 

[tommib]

Er, it spawned a whole trilogy, Dark Souls, side games like Bloodborne and Sekiro, put From Software on the map and got its director promoted within the company, their next game is one of the most highly anticipated for next gen. Not to mention the countless copycats and wannabes. That shows a waning of the style? Lol?

Sure! I just think none of the “sequels” are as dark and atmospheric as Demon’s Souls. That’s just my taste. Going down to the swamp in 3-2 was one the most scary videogame experiences I’ve had.

I never felt that again with From Software games. Bloodborne was more clearly a horror genre game but I didn’t find it scary. I think it’s about expectations as well. Back in 2009 I never thought a dark-fantasy RPG would be as atmospherically frightening as a Silent Hill game.

 

[Skifi28]

I don't think gamers in general have anything against them. I'd argue they like them as said games sell very well. You are just projecting your friend's opinion to the entire gaming community.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

I'd say he's probably well aware which makes playing games that emulate it less appealing to him. Like someone who is barely scraping by doing a job they hate in the service industry may not wanna play a game about being in the service industry.

Reminds me of people living in trailer parks watching Kim Kardahian.
Escapement.

 

[ForestVSea]

Not sure about this, Witcher, last of us, red dead, call of duty, these are some of the best selling games of all time.

 

[V4skunk]

My friend and I were discussing Cyberpunk 2077 and he said that it looks miserable and not fun and I have to disagree. Sure it is a dark game set in a dystopian future but it also looks like a blast to play and an engrossing world and story. GTA IV and TLOU2 got similar criticism for being dark and not fun and I loved those games as well. Why can't something be dark and fun? Terminator 2 was actually a very dark movie but it was a big summer blockbuster. I am old enough to have seen it in a packed theater and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. Why can't games be the same way? Why does everything need to be lighthearted with a liberal does of sugar to be considered fun?

They are racist for not like dark games.

 

[supernova8]

I don't think that's the major criticism of Tlou2 and GTA IV or a very good one for that matter.

GTA IV's problems from what I remember wasn't it being dark, it was pretty clunky to play with the shooting and the driving in that game being wack alongside bowling.

TLou2 has the BioInfinite problem where you're supposed to feel bad for killing named characters but you've killed countless npcs throughout the game so when the old adage of 'muh themes' or cycles of revenge comes out - none of the ideas espoused in the cutscenes match the gameplay.

An improvement on both is spec ops the line.

I personally never played TLOU (or the sequel) because of the doomsday type setting. Maybe I'm imaging things but it feels like there are so many "the world has ended, now there's just you... and this half-eaten sandwich" type post-apocalypse games and it's getting boring.

As for GTAIV, I actually really enjoyed it despite the fact the colour palette consisted of brown, brown, dark brown and light brown.

 

[Gandih42]

Sure! I just think none of the “sequels” are as dark and atmospheric as Demon’s Souls. That’s just my taste. Going down to the swamp in 3-2 was one the most scary videogame experiences I’ve had.

I never felt that again with From Software games. Bloodborne was more clearly a horror genre game but I didn’t find it scary. I think it’s about expectations as well. Back in 2009 I never thought a dark-fantasy RPG would be as atmospherically frightening as a Silent Hill game.

The atmosphere of FromSoftware's games combined with their flavor of action RPG is what I love so much about them. While I generally prefer of all their subsequent games, I do agree that the atmosphere in Demon's Souls hit harder due to its novelty at the time. I hope they (or someone else) can re-create this feeling again someday. Silent Hill atmosphere and horror combined with dark fantasy action RPG is exactly what I want (I never even played a Silent Hill game, but I appreciate them from afar).

As for the actual OP - Like many others have said, plenty of extremely successful games prove that gamers don't have a problem with darker themes. I generally tend towards stories that explore the darker topics of life. But as a whole, I think the ideal is having a broad range of games with light themes, dark themes, and everything in between. Bland, is in my opinion, the worst thing a game can be. There are definitely people who are put off by darker things, and not just in games. And that's completely fine. Everyone doesn't have to enjoy things like Dark Souls, TLoU etc.

 

[lock2k]

My friend who is a Nintendo fanboy says that all games should be bright and colorful ; like how all Nintendo games are.

He often wonders why people play Sony games as they only have greens, browns and blacks and is so depressing to play.

W Woggleman Is your friend also a Nintendo fanboy?

"Friend"

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I think gamers have the opposite problem, as they tend to be against bright-themed games. Cheesy, silly, saccharine, with no serious investment into a plot... we need more games like that but a lot of gamers write them off as Candy Crush mobile garbo.

 

[Sander Cohen]

I can totally understand that viewpoint. When you come home from work or school, you want something to cheer you up, make you feel good, escapism, yes but not to the much worse world filled with oppression, depression, violence and whatnot.

Personally, as I grow older, I tend to stay away from horror games, for example, still haven’t played Alien Isolation or Evil Within. Yes, I played RE7 because it’s new RE and as such, very significant event in gaming world but can’t say I had a fun with it. Sure, it’s a really great game and it did what it was supposed to do, but maybe I’m just getting too old for that stuff. I guess you need to be in a mood for it.

And there’s an “issue“ of ever improving graphical fidelity of these games that make them feel much more real and less gamey. It’s like paying money for a game that will make you feel bad...I guess majority of people don’t find that attractive.

 

[Vaelka]

.... Wat?

And here I am feeling like games are too dark and edgy lol.
It feels like every big title especially is too serious and gritty.

 

[midasmulligan]

Who wants to play a game based on their current reality? Cyberpunk 2077 hits to close to home (see COVID 19 and the shutdown of the world for reference).

I mean, I’ll be playing cause I want to see how this shit ends (not the game, mind you)

 

[Humdinger]

Some good points have been made about the popularity of dark/violent/grim games. They top a lot of best-seller lists, so we can't really say that gamers are opposed to them. It's really the opposite -- many gamers seem to love them.

People like the OP's friend are probably in the minority. I am as well. I'll explain a little why, since that was the OP's question.

I'm not attracted to games like Cyberpunk (or CoD or Dark Souls, TLoU2, GTA etc.) because I don't want to spend my time in a world like that, being that character, interacting with other characters created from the same mind. It reminds me of my reactions to some novels. I put them down very quickly, because I know, "I don't want to be in that character's head for 20 hours." I find them annoying or somehow off-putting.

It also has to do with the environment. I don't find dense urban areas enjoyable. I have lived in big cities, and I haven't enjoyed the experience. I now live in a small city and feel right at home. I also greatly prefer open, natural environments in my RPGs, rather than dense, crowded city environments. The latter make me feel sort of dulled-down, mentally and emotionally.

It's an aesthetic thing, too. I heard a reviewer talk about Cyberpunk's environment as "beautiful." I can't relate. It is technically polished, but "beautiful"? No, not to me. It feels cramped, crowded, metallic, and artificial. So the environment affects my mood, too, especially because, with games, you spend so much time in them. It's not like a movie where it's over in 90 minutes. You may inhabit that world for months.

There's a moral element, too, which is minor, but I'll mention it. I don't like playing as a character driven by low motives. These "dark/violent/grim" games often have protagonists like that. And most of the characters you interact with are on that same level. TLoU2 would be an example of that, so would GTA. GTA is lighter in tone but basically populated by assholes. I don't want to play as a character like that. I can't get into it. It's not me, and I'm not interested in exploring what it's like to be an asshole or some tough guy street criminal or whatever. I just don't care. I feel like that's been done to death. I'd rather play as someone I can like and sympathize with.

Anyhow, I droned on a little long there; sorry about that, but those were the ideas that came to mind, regarding the OP's question.

I suppose I should add, I don't completely swear off these types of games, nor do I have a constant diet of bright, sunshiney games. I play a lot of different types of games, and occasionally I'll throw a dark/grim one in there, just for variety. But as I've gotten older, the appeal of these darkgrim violent games has diminished a lot. I am more interested in pleasant experiences, pleasant diversions, not extended immersion in a dark, violent world filled with brutal, morally retarded characters.

 

[brian0057]

Imagine alien isolation if it wasnt dark......

Or literally any stealth game not named Metal Gear or Hitman.

 

[MisterBrimstone]

"Gamers" have nothing against dark themed games. Your friend is not gamers.

Anyway, I love dark themes. It's all a matter of taste really.

 

[Kerotan Frog]

I don't feel this way at all. Demon's Souls, Dark Souls Trilogy, Bloodborne, and Sekiro say hi.

 

[-Minsc-]

Some people like dark and gritty.

Others like bright and colourful.

All that really needs to be said.

 

[Yellow Yoshi]

I don't like them - best story ever to me is still solving a good old innocent kidnapping, be it royalty, eggs or bananas.

But at the same time nothing against them. But like people said, I think it's harder to match the story with gameplay the darker it gets.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

They are racist for not like dark games.

No worries you can do a blind playthrough.

 

[Woggleman]

My friend does love Nintendo but in general I notice when a game is dark and gritty even if the setting calls for it it gets branded as not fun as if only sugary happy stuff can be fun. For some reason the Souls series gets a pass and my friend also happens to like that.

 

[Tiamat2san]

They are the best kind of games for me.

i don’t like Disney/Nintendo family spirit shit.

 

[Javthusiast]

If only gamers knew what they would see if the Mario games where from Peaches perspective.

The darkest games out there. Cause we all know Mario is getting cucked hard by Peach and Bowser. They are into some kinky stuff let me tell you.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

Millennials are very sensitive and easily triggered. They need their games to be loaded with self-aware humor and cynicism in order to prevent them from feeling anything too deeply.

 

[Kerlurk]

Gaming Discussion

Video game news, industry analysis, sales figures, deals, impressions, reviews, and discussions of everything in the medium, covering all platforms, genres, and territories.

www.neogaf.com

 

[MiguelItUp]

I love dark and grim games. Honestly, I can't help but gravitate towards them. But, it's delivery and look is really what seals the deal for me. I suppose my avatar could give that away to some degree, haha. All about horror, all about horror, etc. However, just like all things, as long as nothing is forced and you can tell is full of passion, I'm all for it.

 

[Barnabot]

My friend who is a Nintendo fanboy says that all games should be bright and colorful ; like how all Nintendo games are.