What does it take for a story to be good?

I wanted to ask everyone in the community for their opinion on what is necessary for a story to be good and/or captivate their attention? I have been playing RPG for well over half my life, and rpgs are mostly about the story they tell. Because of that, I have wanted to write (for my own amusement) my own ‘“rpg” story. This is primarily, although not exclusively, inspired by the the immersive stories we have seen through the years in FF games. Even more, I’m inspired by how FF games usually revolve around a fantasy world, but are comprised of real life elements like religion, politics, freedom, and in the most recent lightning returns entry, death etc.


the two main elements i would like to focus on for my story are: 1. the cause and effect of our actions, and 2. our existence. When talking about our existence, i would focus mainly on how differently our existence can be interpreted through different people. This would further expand on how everyone believes our lives should be lived a specific way within accordance of our agreed upon notions of morality.

Anyways, below are some ideas for story elements for which i would like to hear your opinion on. But please, by no means limit yourself to what i have listed below.

- What is more important in a story, originality or how the story is told? (after ’the last of us’ i think its safe to assume that its more important how the story is told)
- MUST a story have romance in it?
- For a story to be enjoyed, must it end with a happy ending?
- when presented like unnatural things (e.g. magic) should the story try to explain it, or do you quickly acknowledge it as fiction and simply prefer no explanation is given, since realistically there is no logical explanation?
- Where should a story draw the line between between reality and fiction?
- Even if it was very well executed, would you still have a hard time of getting over the cliche of having one of your characters secretly be one of the villains?
- Do you prefer a villain that is purely evil, in the morally grey area, or one who has good intentions?
- How do you feel about the death of main characters? (*nod to FF7* ;) )
- What are your thought on politics and religion being strongly tied to the plot?

Since we are all RPG fans here, I’m sure at some point you all had ideas for a story of your own. So hopefully you enjoy posting them as much as I would enjoy reading them :)

- MUST a story have romance in it?
No, and if there is romance, it should feel like it's part of the story and not just tacked on like the cliché "Hero and leading female end up falling in love by the end."

- For a story to be enjoyed, must it end with a happy ending?
It doesn't have to, although I do prefer if there's some reasonable conclusion that doesn't make it feel like I wasted my time.

- When presented like unnatural things (e.g. magic) should the story try to explain it, or do you quickly acknowledge it as fiction and simply prefer no explanation is given, since realistically there is no logical explanation?
Depends I guess. Some people try to go into too much detail about why something exists and where it comes from which just bores the player.

- Where should a story draw the line between between reality and fiction?
Depends what the story is about. Most stories are either fictional to begin with or are based on real life events.

- Even if it was very well executed, would you still have a hard time of getting over the cliche of having one of your characters secretly be one of the villains?
Not if the character is written well enough.

- Do you prefer a villain that is purely evil, in the morally grey area, or one who has good intentions?
If the character is written well enough.

- How do you feel about the death of main characters? (*nod to FF7* )
Personally I tend to dislike when I permanently lose a character I've grown attached to, but that's just me.

- What are your thought on politics and religion being strongly tied to the plot?
Seems to be the basis of a lot of games.

You have to feel emotionally invested in characters if you're to care about their outcomes.

So far the best story in the game in my opinion is the Alchemist story line. Seeing the final part of the story was fantastic. Why? It evoked a cathartic response. I can't say that I was completely emotionally invested but I agree with Karnyboy, this is an essential element. I feel we have a number of story elements right now that leave much room for discovery. For example there are the Allagans, Garleans, and beast tribes. I hope they all offer something very rich and interesting to the world history. I am looking forward to seeing it develop.

You can do anything you want with your story. The Mary Sue in your story could very well be called a comic relief character in mine. What'd need explaining in a realistic setting wouldn't need one in a 100% fantasy one. A different execution could turn a cliche into something novel - even refreshing. Cliches aren't inherently bad to start with - one of the reasons they've become cliches is that people enjoy them. All of those elements, taken alone - don't mean anything. You need to plan out your story - but you also need to let the story write itself - happy endings or romance shouldn't be forced where they don't belong for example. Each story is its own complex system. ^__^

- What is more important in a story, originality or how the story is told? (after ’the last of us’ i think its safe to assume that its more important how the story is told)
Definitely how it's told.

- MUST a story have romance in it?
I quite enjoy stories that don't have/shoehorn in romance.
But if they have one that's not hamfisted in, I don't really mind.

- For a story to be enjoyed, must it end with a happy ending?
Nope. Just one that makes me think about the story, characters, and world afterwards.

- when presented like unnatural things (e.g. magic) should the story try to explain it, or do you quickly acknowledge it as fiction and simply prefer no explanation is given, since realistically there is no logical explanation?
I love, love, love magic systems. The more sense you can make out of it, the better!
But don't half-ass it. Don't say "Because magic rocks!" and not explain how said magic rocks work. (Looking at you, GuildWars)

- Where should a story draw the line between between reality and fiction?
I'd love to see them try to get rid of that line.
Hurray secret magical worlds!
(Just don't use it to belittle the awesomeness of reality.)

- Even if it was very well executed, would you still have a hard time of getting over the cliche of having one of your characters secretly be one of the villains?
Pffft, I love that kind of stuff.

- Do you prefer a villain that is purely evil, in the morally grey area, or one who has good intentions?
I prefer a villain that can convince you that he's justified.

- How do you feel about the death of main characters? (*nod to FF7* )
Awesomely.

- What are your thought on politics and religion being strongly tied to the plot?
Depends on how it's used.

But over all:
Subtlety is key.

Sex and death, if I had to guess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShinigamiB06

I wanted to ask everyone in the community for their opinion on what is necessary for a story to be good and/or captivate their attention? I have been playing RPG for well over half my life, and rpgs are mostly about the story they tell. Because of that, I have wanted to write (for my own amusement) my own ‘“rpg” story. This is primarily, although not exclusively, inspired by the the immersive stories we have seen through the years in FF games. Even more, I’m inspired by how FF games usually revolve around a fantasy world, but are comprised of real life elements like religion, politics, freedom, and in the most recent lightning returns entry, death etc.


the two main elements i would like to focus on for my story are: 1. the cause and effect of our actions, and 2. our existence. When talking about our existence, i would focus mainly on how differently our existence can be interpreted through different people. This would further expand on how everyone believes our lives should be lived a specific way within accordance of our agreed upon notions of morality.

Anyways, below are some ideas for story elements for which i would like to hear your opinion on. But please, by no means limit yourself to what i have listed below.

- What is more important in a story, originality or how the story is told? (after ’the last of us’ i think its safe to assume that its more important how the story is told)
- MUST a story have romance in it?
- For a story to be enjoyed, must it end with a happy ending?
- when presented like unnatural things (e.g. magic) should the story try to explain it, or do you quickly acknowledge it as fiction and simply prefer no explanation is given, since realistically there is no logical explanation?
- Where should a story draw the line between between reality and fiction?
- Even if it was very well executed, would you still have a hard time of getting over the cliche of having one of your characters secretly be one of the villains?
- Do you prefer a villain that is purely evil, in the morally grey area, or one who has good intentions?
- How do you feel about the death of main characters? (*nod to FF7* ;) )
- What are your thought on politics and religion being strongly tied to the plot?

Since we are all RPG fans here, I’m sure at some point you all had ideas for a story of your own. So hopefully you enjoy posting them as much as I would enjoy reading them :)

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If I care, it is good