World vs. Story

[Wolf Kanno]

This is a pretty broad topic but I feel this would be the forum to discuss it. In any kind of storytelling media , there is the world in which the story takes place and breathes life into the characters and plot and then there is the characters and plot themselves. While we can all agree that we need some degree of both to make a compelling story that sticks with us, the question I ask is which is more important to you personally. Does a good story simply have a good plot that makes you feel or do you need the setting and world to be on par so that they may set your imagination on fire?

Is it the setting or the action that is more important to you. CHOOSE!

[Loony BoB]

Characters come first and foremost for me, because a good world plot with poor or boring characters (FFI) just doesn't interest me nearly as much as good characters and a poor world plot (FFXIII).

Other good examples in the gaming world are Oblivion, Skyrim and FFXIII. I like all these games but some have a much better story than the others, while the others have better characters.

I could watch a great character in a movie do really boring things and be interested by them. If it was a movie describing some amazing events but had no characters, I would feel slightly less immersed in the story.

A healthy mix is always best for me.

[Karifean]

Characters/Plot first and foremost. I don't remember the last time a great world was what made a story work for me. While conversely I can easily point to characters, character building/development and plots that wowed me.

[Fynn]

This shouldn't be an either/or dilemma. Both things need to be good, otherwise it's just lazy.

[Psychotic]

I enjoy both Final Fantasy and Bethesda games so I'm just going to sit on the fence.

[Mirage]

world for sure. interpersonal drama is just... well, idk. not as interesting.

[Wolf Kanno]

This shouldn't be an either/or dilemma. Both things need to be good, otherwise it's just lazy.

While we can all agree that we need some degree of both to make a compelling story that sticks with us, the question I ask is which is more important to you personally. CHOOSE!

[Pumpkin]

Characters for me. While there are a lot of games I like that have a stronger plot and world and weak characters, I prefer games with characters I care about. If the story is bad and the gameplay is bad, it can still be saved for me by the characters.

[Fynn]

This shouldn't be an either/or dilemma. Both things need to be good, otherwise it's just lazy.

While we can all agree that we need some degree of both to make a compelling story that sticks with us, the question I ask is which is more important to you personally. CHOOSE!

I WILL NOT BOW TO YOU!!!

[Pike]

Depends on a lot of factors including the medium.

[blackmage_nuke]

If it's a short thing (one novel or movie) then a strong story and characters will leave a bigger impact on me. The story has to present me an idea I've not thought of and the characters need to flesh out that idea in a way I find entertaining.

If it's a long thing (tv series, series of novels) then a well constructed world, with colourful detail in it's concept and the nuances of how it varies/mirrors our world and the logical consequences of those variances will keep me invested in the long haul.

Though there have been exceptions where a series with a boring world but amazing story/characters has kept me intrigued, though less examples where a single movie/book with great worlds and bland stories/characters I have enjoyed come to mind.

If it's a trilogy of movies then it's about 50/50

[Ayen]

Characters for me. A lot of my favorite stories are pretty character centrist.

[Mr. Carnelian]

Character's and their struggles.

Story is conflict.

[NeoCracker]

Depends on a lot of factors including the medium.

Me and Pike agree on something excuse me I need to go cry in a corner now.

[Rin Heartilly]

Depends how character focused the show is. For example the walking dead (arguably more character driven then plot driven) would be another generic zombie show if it weren't for the diverse and fleshed out characters because the overarching plot is a pretty typical bread and butter zombie storyline otherwise. Neon Genesis Evangelion is also another very character focused and driven show but the plot is also pretty generic and unique at the same time.

Whereas movies like Jurassic park or transformers are much more plot and action driven where most don't really care much about the characters and watch instead to see how the story unfolds and of course watch dinosaurs and mech robots bust eachother up.

I'd say GoT does a pretty good job balancing world building and characterization along with Hary Potter, Lotr...etc although the books are superior to the movies/show.

Generally, I prefer having good characters, I feel like I can relate to a character or empathize with them, then I know I'm going to be interested because I generally lose interest in shows with boring characters.