83 réponses à ce sujet

[Dominus]

"Poor writing, lackluster and mediocre!"
"I've seen that trope a hundred times, not good enough!"
"This storyline is just borrowing from So-and-so, totally unoriginal!"

Perhaps you've seen(or said) something like the above in online message boards or elsewhere in the world about the storyline of a film or game. This topic is not meant to demean that opinion. The point of this thread, however, is to find which narrative in your past experience is the direct opposite: Which is hands-down one the best story you've ever played, seen, heard, or read? Whether it be the briefest of tales, or the longest journey, which is something that had originality, ingenious writing, and stood on its own two feet as the greatest story ever told?

My pick was a little show that debuted in 1996. It was called Neon Genesis Evangelion. If you ever intend to see the show, I recommend avoid looking below due to spoilers.

---

NGE was a show that seemed to cleverly hide behind the classic "Monsters show up out of nowhere, kill them with crazy giant robots" concept. As the episodes continued on, it became clear there was far more to the story than Shinji Ikari's battles with bizarre creatures from outer space. It's incredibly psychological, philosophical, and contains an enormous amount of red herrings(which is appreciated from watching after the first time).

The characters are incredibly well-written, and in 99% of the cases, go deeper within than what's seen at the superficial level. Neon Genesis Evangelion(and especially it's final theatrical release, End of Evangelion) remains one of the most controversial pieces of cinema in the Anime Genre, and for good reason. As much as I'd love to go on, it reveals too much on the storyline to really get into.

Succinctly put, that show will screw you up in the head, but in a good way. I don't regret seeing it for a second. At least in my opinion, it's the greatest story ever told.

Which is your pick?  

Modifié par DominusVita, 20 novembre 2011 - 04:58 .

[Il Divo]

Damn, that's a really tough one. Good call on NGE.

But I personally am going to have to go with Alan Moore's Watchmen. From the plot, to the writing, to the characters, it's all masterfully done. And it did a terrific job of deconstructing the super hero genre of comic books, while still managing to celebrate everything we love about the super hero concept.

Modifié par Il Divo, 19 novembre 2011 - 04:23 .

[Kallianira]

For me the greatest or most epic story ever written is Romeo and Juliet. It has everything a great story needs: Suspense, drama, action, great friendship, devotion, passion, and a love that goes beyond death. There are not many stories that can keep up with that.

In fact, all Shakespeare pieces are brilliant.

[Dominus]

Also a misunderstood piece of work. I remember seeing that with my brother and dad for the theatrical release - I enjoyed it greatly, but I think the other two were looking for something more Batman-y. I also loved that non-linear timeline structure it had, and wasn't afraid to go what may have been considered too dark by some. Even for those who didn't care for it, one thing can be said about Watchmen - you've never seen a story like that before.

[slimgrin]

The Odyssey.

"Tell me, Muse, of the man of many ways,
     who was driven
far journeys, after he had sacked Troy's
     sacred citadel.
Many were they whose cities he saw, whose
     minds he learned of,
many the pains he suffered in his spirit on
     the wide sea,
struggling for his own life and the
     homecoming of his companions."

Edit- Whoops. I guess books don't count. Sorry op.

Modifié par slimgrin, 19 novembre 2011 - 04:36 .

[ObserverStatus]

Too early to say since it isn't done, but I think that Fallout: Equestria might be a serious contender.

[silver_sparrow]

bobobo878 wrote...

Too early to say since it isn't done, but I think that Fallout: Equestria might be a serious contender.

*snip*

I can't believe I'm saying this but I think I might actually enjoy this. <_<

[hellfirev1]

The Life of Brian.

[whykikyouwhy]

Stories come to us now with the undercurrent of archetypes - myths and legends are often reborn. So finding originality is like the proverbial needle in the haystack, no?

These may not be original, but they all, in some way, moved me, made an impact and thus, are great, imo:

Star Wars - The hero quest retold, but I was a wee thing when I saw the first movie, and so its place in my life was a foundation upon which geekery was built. So this resonates as a great story of fnding one's place in the world, accepting fate/destiny/ability and trying to make things right.

Robotech - Another tale of people gathered against the perceived forces of evil and invasion. This was a soap opera in space, but it drew me in, and called me to the TV every afternoon. The characters were standard in some way - the boy next door, the rogueish older brother type, the siren, etc. But they seemed vivid, alive, and wonderfully flawed. And when you add transforming robots, well...it's just all sorts of grand, isn't it?

28 Days Later - Post-apocalyptic Zombie nightmare, yes. But I found it more a commentary on mob mentality, and the role of rage in the human psyche. Particularly when Jim rescues Selena - there is a profound moment there when they face off.

The work of Carlos Ruiz Zafon - Most recently, 'The Angel's Game.' The author manages to tap into human darkness and sprinkle it with wonder. Common themes of betrayal, arrogance, love and loss dwell in his books, but he moves readers through a labyrinth.

Just stories off the top of my head, mind you. I may mull and recall others.

[Dominus]

Books can count - Any story applies. If you can read it, see it, hear it, or play it, it counts. I'll edit the above OP to end the confusion. Also, great choices so far. :-)

[silver_sparrow]

I would say either the Harry Potter series or the metal gear solid series.

[slimgrin]

Might as well make a list.

Anime: Gun Slinger girl. I love this show to death. It's so uncompromising and tragic.

Movie: I'd have to go with Memento or Requiem for a Dream.

Comics: I don't read many comics, but The Killing Joke stands out.

Games: Toss up between TW1 or TW2. ME1 is a close second.

TV: X Files. 

Modifié par slimgrin, 19 novembre 2011 - 04:55 .

[Blitzkrieg0811]

Now this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I liked to take a minute just sit right there
And tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air

In west Philadelphia born and raised
On the playground is where I spent most of my days
Chillin out, maxin, relaxing all cool,
And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys who were up to no good
Started making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one lil fight and my mom got scared
And said "You're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air"

I whistled for a cab and when it came near
The license plate said FRESH and it had dice in the mirror
If anything I can say this cab was rare
But I thought "naw forget it yo homes to Bel-Air!"

I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8
And I yelled to the cabby "Yo homes smell ya later"
I looked at my kingdom I was finally there
To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air

[Kallianira]

@bobo: Do you have to pester everything with that pony crap?? That's really insulting for all the great writers on this planet!

[HiddenKING]

Dance With The Devil by Immortal Technique.

It's ****ed up.

[Wentletrap]

The Lord of the Rings - a full story, and a world and the weight of its history, all in one epic package.

The Arabian Nights (1001 Nights). A big story (or now, after so many fractured translations, maybe the idea of a story), about a bunch of little stories, each one within, or leading into, another.

[Il Divo]

DominusVita wrote...

Also a misunderstood piece of work. I remember seeing that with my brother and dad for the theatrical release - I enjoyed it greatly, but I think the other two were looking for something more Batman-y. I also loved that non-linear timeline structure it had, and wasn't afraid to go what may have been considered too dark by some. Even for those who didn't care for it, one thing can be said about Watchmen - you've never seen a story like that before.

Yeah, I noticed that happened alot with the film. I stil enjoyed it for what it was, but it can't compare to Watchmen's finest moments (Rorschach's opening dialogue, Dr. Manhattan going to Mars, etc).

[Kaiser Arian XVII]

slimgrin wrote...

The Odyssey.

This.
Also Ferdowsi's Shahname and Virgil's Aeneid.

[Lord_Valandil]

Book: The Lord of the Rings. No doubt about it. I loved it as a kid, and I still do. It's a beautiful piece of literature, full of life and adventure. It inspired me to be a writer, and increased my interest in reading all kind of books. The characters, the world they live in...for me, Tolkien crafted the best story ever told.



Movie: I'd go with "Alien". The 1979 version, directed by Ridley Scott. The story of a menacing being from outer space isn't anything new nowadays, but there's something about the Xenomorph that makes it truly terrifying. Maybe it's what Ash says...it's the perfect organism, a killing machine without feelings of remorse or any kind of morality. A real icon of science fiction.



Comic: I'd say my favorite one is 300, by Frank Miller. I'll admit it's rather shallow as a whole, as it gives more attention to the images (the same case with the movie, which I also like), but I think it's one of those stories worth reading at least once. 300 soldiers against thousands, they were obviously doomed from the start, but their sacrifice was inspiring.
Also, it's one of the last good works Miller did before morphing into the insane hate-filled guy he is now, Holy Terror is a piece of crap and his angry rants are just pathetic. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.



Videogame: This is a difficult one. But I'm going to choose Dragon Age: Origins. I don't think it's the best story ever told in a videogame, but alas, I really felt like a part of the world Bioware created. I don't care if it has been told before in a thousand different ways, which story is 100% original, huh? Anyway, Origins remains my favorite videogame of this generation.

Modifié par Lord_Valandil, 19 novembre 2011 - 05:36 .

[Il Divo]

Jedi Sentinel Arian wrote...

slimgrin wrote...

The Odyssey.

This.
Also Ferdowsi's Shahname and Virgil's Aeneid.

Also, this. This times a million.

[slimgrin]

EternalAmbiguity wrote...

There's this story of a guy who created a world and populated it, but the people in his world started hating one another and doing horrible things to each other. So he became like one of them, but didn't tell them he was their creator. He did all these great things, cause it was his world after all, but when he told them that it was his world, they flew into a rage and killed him. But, after all, sense it was his world, death couldn't keep him down...

I'm sure you've heard of it.

You tempt me.