Comments on: Top 10 Worst Plot Twists in Video Games http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/ Everyone knows girls don't play video games. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:21:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Benny http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-79 Benny Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:48:48 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-79 Good list, I especially agree with the Metroid Prime twist, I keep getting told that it was a great plot twist but I honestly couldn't care less as it felt to random and thrown in at the last minute to create an illusion of good writing. Good list, I especially agree with the Metroid Prime twist, I keep getting told that it was a great plot twist but I honestly couldn’t care less as it felt to random and thrown in at the last minute to create an illusion of good writing.

]]> By: Hiredgoon http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-80 Hiredgoon Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:53:59 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-80 I'd like to add Final Fantasy VIII to this list. ZOMG the witch you've been fighting this entire time has actually been mind controlled by the REAL bad guy! I guess it's cool that you tried to kill us cause you really didn't mean it, right? I’d like to add Final Fantasy VIII to this list. ZOMG the witch you’ve been fighting this entire time has actually been mind controlled by the REAL bad guy! I guess it’s cool that you tried to kill us cause you really didn’t mean it, right?

]]> By: Dana http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-81 Dana Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:51:03 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-81 This was pretty fun to read... I was actually sitting here thinking "I wonder if she's going to mention the draenei from World of Warcraft." The Burning Crusade is really where the developers just decided to go "LORE LOL" and fling whatever they felt like at us...which included space goats with shamanistic roots. Space goats. To make matters worse, the females of this race are hot beyond belief and the men look like they're related to Davey Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. If this isn't confusing as hell, I don't know what is, right. I'll just add a quick one though: Not really a huge plot twist since it occured in the beginning of the game...but in Shadow Hearts, where you find a cute puppy and decide to take it with you. You get kind of attached to the little dog, who has helped you through the game for a short period of time...and then he transforms into the creepy old man villain that's out to kill you. I was upset with that one. Poor puppy. This was pretty fun to read…
I was actually sitting here thinking “I wonder if she’s going to mention the draenei from World of Warcraft.” The Burning Crusade is really where the developers just decided to go “LORE LOL” and fling whatever they felt like at us…which included space goats with shamanistic roots. Space goats. To make matters worse, the females of this race are hot beyond belief and the men look like they’re related to Davey Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. If this isn’t confusing as hell, I don’t know what is, right.
I’ll just add a quick one though: Not really a huge plot twist since it occured in the beginning of the game…but in Shadow Hearts, where you find a cute puppy and decide to take it with you. You get kind of attached to the little dog, who has helped you through the game for a short period of time…and then he transforms into the creepy old man villain that’s out to kill you.

I was upset with that one.
Poor puppy.

]]> By: Magiz http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-83 Magiz Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:17:14 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-83 Great blog! I enjoyed that one. As for plot twists, I'd have to say two that come to mind would be... The Legacy of Kain Series - (Soul Reaver 2 and Defiance). There were so many interesting twists in this series it would be hard to explain them all. Damn that whole "fate" and "destiny" thing. and StarCraft (Sarah Kerrigan and her little "change") Great blog! I enjoyed that one.

As for plot twists, I’d have to say two that come to mind would be…

The Legacy of Kain Series - (Soul Reaver 2 and Defiance). There were so many interesting twists in this series it would be hard to explain them all. Damn that whole “fate” and “destiny” thing.
and
StarCraft (Sarah Kerrigan and her little “change”)

]]> By: The Good Ed http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-85 The Good Ed Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:04:11 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-85 I'd also have to say that any of the Tom Clancy franchise games at least deserve an honorable mention ;) I still long for the day when game makers actually hire script writers. Until that day comes: all hail the bad plot twist. I’d also have to say that any of the Tom Clancy franchise games at least deserve an honorable mention ;)

I still long for the day when game makers actually hire script writers. Until that day comes: all hail the bad plot twist.

]]> By: Ryan http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-86 Ryan Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:08:27 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-86 The Bouncer, I was thinking about that game the other day. It was an interesting list, I skipped FFX cause I've been meaning to finish it. Generally agree to the whole thing, fun to I've been trying to think of something to contribute, but if I pick up a bad game (because of plot) I generally don't fall through with it. How about this one: The Eldar Scrolls. The last two games have virtually no plot unless you can find their question line. Ha! The Bouncer, I was thinking about that game the other day.

It was an interesting list, I skipped FFX cause I’ve been meaning to finish it.

Generally agree to the whole thing, fun to

I’ve been trying to think of something to contribute, but if I pick up a bad game (because of plot) I generally don’t fall through with it.

How about this one: The Eldar Scrolls. The last two games have virtually no plot unless you can find their question line. Ha!

]]> By: Ezlo http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-87 Ezlo Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:24:56 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-87 I would have to agree with the Metroid plot twist being horrible, but for a different reason. I just really hate how they reward you with Samus all but stripping for better completion times and percentages. Now don't get me wrong, I love Metroid, it's my all time favorite franchise, but I just don't understand why they have to keep doing that. I would have to agree with the Metroid plot twist being horrible, but for a different reason. I just really hate how they reward you with Samus all but stripping for better completion times and percentages. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Metroid, it’s my all time favorite franchise, but I just don’t understand why they have to keep doing that.

]]> By: Monique http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-89 Monique Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:23:01 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-89 Benny--Thanks. And yeah,t hat's my sentiments. I really like Samus, but it just seemed lame. Goon--Ahaha, every FF has a plot twist like that. Do you remember FF9 and how Queen Brahnne isn't evil, she's being manipulated by Kuja who is being manipulated by Garland? YEAH OK RANDOM PLOT TWISTS. Dana--Someone actually argued to me that Draenai aren't a plot twist, they're a <i>part of the lore.</i> DEFINITELY ARE, I MEAN, THEM BEING SHAMANS AND ALL...THEIR SPACE SHIP... TOTALLY IN EVERY WC GAME. The broken Draenai were a part of the plot, but them having space goat cousins was definitely not! Phil--Kerrigan would probably be #5 if I made a top 10 list of plot twists I loved. Ed--True that, ahah. It's been a while since I've played a Clancy game though. Ryan--Some of Morrowind's plots bother me as well as Oblivion. But then I can ignore that, because the world itself is so cool. Most of the time anyway :P Ezlo--That's a great point. I think Samus is badass, but do they really have to strip her down repeatedly? Benny–Thanks. And yeah,t hat’s my sentiments. I really like Samus, but it just seemed lame.

Goon–Ahaha, every FF has a plot twist like that. Do you remember FF9 and how Queen Brahnne isn’t evil, she’s being manipulated by Kuja who is being manipulated by Garland? YEAH OK RANDOM PLOT TWISTS.

Dana–Someone actually argued to me that Draenai aren’t a plot twist, they’re a part of the lore. DEFINITELY ARE, I MEAN, THEM BEING SHAMANS AND ALL…THEIR SPACE SHIP… TOTALLY IN EVERY WC GAME. The broken Draenai were a part of the plot, but them having space goat cousins was definitely not!

Phil–Kerrigan would probably be #5 if I made a top 10 list of plot twists I loved.

Ed–True that, ahah. It’s been a while since I’ve played a Clancy game though.

Ryan–Some of Morrowind’s plots bother me as well as Oblivion. But then I can ignore that, because the world itself is so cool. Most of the time anyway :P

Ezlo–That’s a great point. I think Samus is badass, but do they really have to strip her down repeatedly?

]]> By: Matt http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-96 Matt Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:54:49 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-96 Just wanted to point out that in Metroid for the Japanese NES instruction manual, in fact.. probably every Japanese Metroid instruction manual, they use a "genderless" pronoun, so that it's not a he/she pronoun, but one that does not give the gender of Samus away. In short, in Japan, gamers did not know Samus was a woman until the end of the game When it came over to America, "he" was put in place of that pronoun, and it's a mystery if this was just a translation error or a goal to try and fool people. Just wanted to point out that in Metroid for the Japanese NES instruction manual, in fact.. probably every Japanese Metroid instruction manual, they use a “genderless” pronoun, so that it’s not a he/she pronoun, but one that does not give the gender of Samus away. In short, in Japan, gamers did not know Samus was a woman until the end of the game

When it came over to America, “he” was put in place of that pronoun, and it’s a mystery if this was just a translation error or a goal to try and fool people.

]]> By: Cyrris http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-100 Cyrris Wed, 12 Sep 2007 07:44:46 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-100 I wasn't too impressed with WarCraft 3, sending Arthas over to the dark side, so to speak. It was Blizzards next immediate strategy release since StarCraft, which did a similar thing with Kerrigan, so it was just too similar too soon. I felt it was a rather lacking aspect of an otherwise solid story (as far as strategy games go). I wasn’t too impressed with WarCraft 3, sending Arthas over to the dark side, so to speak. It was Blizzards next immediate strategy release since StarCraft, which did a similar thing with Kerrigan, so it was just too similar too soon. I felt it was a rather lacking aspect of an otherwise solid story (as far as strategy games go).

]]> By: Isidro http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-101 Isidro Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:21:16 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-101 I think one of the craziest plot twists was in Star Ocean 3. These characters go from different planets, fight intergalactic wars, go through dangerous dungeons, and even start fighting these "Gods." This is all until the beginning of Disc 2. SPOILER**** In Disc 2, you travel to the planet Styx to go through this time gate and apparently defeat this evil entity called the Creator. they reach Styx which is infested with the Destroyer and Enforcer gods. They go through the time gate.... and they land...... In the real world. You find out that they were just a video game created by a gaming company, Sphere. I loved the game, but that plot twist was stupid!!! Ugghh! I think one of the craziest plot twists was in Star Ocean 3.

These characters go from different planets, fight intergalactic wars, go through dangerous dungeons, and even start fighting these “Gods.” This is all until the beginning of Disc 2. SPOILER**** In Disc 2, you travel to the planet Styx to go through this time gate and apparently defeat this evil entity called the Creator. they reach Styx which is infested with the Destroyer and Enforcer gods. They go through the time gate…. and they land…… In the real world. You find out that they were just a video game created by a gaming company, Sphere.

I loved the game, but that plot twist was stupid!!! Ugghh!

]]> By: Peter Twieg http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-103 Peter Twieg Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:44:00 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-103 @8: A lot of people praise the Samus thing because she was pretty much the first major female console game hero who wasn't some completely stereotypical portrayal of femininity... I think? It's probably better understood in its original context of the mid-80s. Suffice to say, it set up for the Justin Bailey code, which was COMPLETELY AWESOME for a 10-year old boy. *cough* @6: Actually, the thing about the Draenei can easily segue into a post about the Top 10 Worst Plot Holes / Retcons ever.... the retelling of the Sargeras lore was absolutely terrible, and seeing Metzen basically say "whoops, I forgot" when he basically rewrote the lore that was in the fucking Warcraft III instruction manual and thousands of people immediately recognized as contradictary... I seriously can't believe how a game with fucking nine million subscribers can fuck some really simple shit up so, so badly. @5: I wouldn't really call Tidus' disappearance a twist, since the player basically knew it was going to happen for a while beforehand. It's similar to FFVI's ending with regard to Terra, I guess, although Terra didn't have a lover to have some sad scene with at the end (although Yuna/Tidus didn't kiss in that scene..) Hm, I'd try to think of some of my own, but I'm short on time at the moment. Does slutting up Riku/Yuna for FFX-2 count as a plot twist? @8: A lot of people praise the Samus thing because she was pretty much the first major female console game hero who wasn’t some completely stereotypical portrayal of femininity… I think? It’s probably better understood in its original context of the mid-80s. Suffice to say, it set up for the Justin Bailey code, which was COMPLETELY AWESOME for a 10-year old boy. *cough*

@6: Actually, the thing about the Draenei can easily segue into a post about the Top 10 Worst Plot Holes / Retcons ever…. the retelling of the Sargeras lore was absolutely terrible, and seeing Metzen basically say “whoops, I forgot” when he basically rewrote the lore that was in the fucking Warcraft III instruction manual and thousands of people immediately recognized as contradictary… I seriously can’t believe how a game with fucking nine million subscribers can fuck some really simple shit up so, so badly.

@5: I wouldn’t really call Tidus’ disappearance a twist, since the player basically knew it was going to happen for a while beforehand. It’s similar to FFVI’s ending with regard to Terra, I guess, although Terra didn’t have a lover to have some sad scene with at the end (although Yuna/Tidus didn’t kiss in that scene..)

Hm, I’d try to think of some of my own, but I’m short on time at the moment. Does slutting up Riku/Yuna for FFX-2 count as a plot twist?

]]> By: Aviate http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-105 Aviate Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:39:16 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-105 Stumbled upon your great site, loving it. Never really played a game with a seriously bad plot twist, although the parts where Trish reveals she's "evil" and Nelo Angelo is Dante's brother kinda make me roll my eyes =P I love the twist in Bioshock though. I kinda saw it coming, but wasn't expecting THAT. Stumbled upon your great site, loving it.
Never really played a game with a seriously bad plot twist, although the parts where Trish reveals she’s “evil” and Nelo Angelo is Dante’s brother kinda make me roll my eyes =P

I love the twist in Bioshock though. I kinda saw it coming, but wasn’t expecting THAT.

]]> By: Matt http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-106 Matt Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:06:08 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-106 I have to disagree with the Metroid plot twist. It's easy to forget how little space there was available in older games: That being the reason stories were often told in the manual, if at all, on NES games. It's also easy to forget that when the game was made there was still a very strong cheavanistic trend (Yeah I'm sure I butchered that spelling) that was pervasive in all forms of media: That of the damsel in distress. While not exactly the best to impliment this twist, I admit, it was still a profound assault on the status quo in the eyes of a ten year old boy's world. Some food for thought on perspective! :) I have to disagree with the Metroid plot twist. It’s easy to forget how little space there was available in older games: That being the reason stories were often told in the manual, if at all, on NES games. It’s also easy to forget that when the game was made there was still a very strong cheavanistic trend (Yeah I’m sure I butchered that spelling) that was pervasive in all forms of media: That of the damsel in distress. While not exactly the best to impliment this twist, I admit, it was still a profound assault on the status quo in the eyes of a ten year old boy’s world.

Some food for thought on perspective! :)

]]> By: Bryan http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-108 Bryan Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:57:04 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-108 But see, the reason in the original Metroid they portrayed Samus Aran as a male, is due to the fact that around that time is was still a status faux pas to have a leading woman. Nintendo wanted to make sure they had fans behind them, so they introduced this "male" with ever increasing powers. I've read all that somewhere... can't remember exactly where? But meh, made sense to me. But see, the reason in the original Metroid they portrayed Samus Aran as a male, is due to the fact that around that time is was still a status faux pas to have a leading woman. Nintendo wanted to make sure they had fans behind them, so they introduced this “male” with ever increasing powers. I’ve read all that somewhere… can’t remember exactly where? But meh, made sense to me.

]]> By: Monique http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-109 Monique Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:01:08 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-109 Peter--I see your point about Samus, but I think she could have been referred to as a "she" in the manual, and there could have been no plot twist, and she still could have been an atypical female lead who kicked ass. She's become rather typical nowadays with her "sexy" pics upon the game's completion. Cyrris--I didn't really like Arthas' transformation either, now that you mention it. It <i>was</i> a lot like Kerrigan. Isidro--Haha, I've never played the SO series. I've heard it's good, but that plot twist makes me want to check it out now :P Aviate--thanks :) Glad you've been enjoying it. Bryan/Matt--I do agree that it was an interesting twist, but I really don't like it. In the end, she's revealed as a woman and that's cool, I guess... But if they wanted to to have a lead female and be less chauvinistic, why do they offer slutty pics of her at every completion for good scores? I just think it was a dumb twist, and they should have introduced her as a female first off. Maybe it's because I wasn't around in 1986 to understand the politics of the twist, but she's an awesome character, and I just think it's lame they called her a guy in the manual. Peter–I see your point about Samus, but I think she could have been referred to as a “she” in the manual, and there could have been no plot twist, and she still could have been an atypical female lead who kicked ass. She’s become rather typical nowadays with her “sexy” pics upon the game’s completion.

Cyrris–I didn’t really like Arthas’ transformation either, now that you mention it. It was a lot like Kerrigan.

Isidro–Haha, I’ve never played the SO series. I’ve heard it’s good, but that plot twist makes me want to check it out now :P

Aviate–thanks :) Glad you’ve been enjoying it.

Bryan/Matt–I do agree that it was an interesting twist, but I really don’t like it. In the end, she’s revealed as a woman and that’s cool, I guess… But if they wanted to to have a lead female and be less chauvinistic, why do they offer slutty pics of her at every completion for good scores? I just think it was a dumb twist, and they should have introduced her as a female first off. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t around in 1986 to understand the politics of the twist, but she’s an awesome character, and I just think it’s lame they called her a guy in the manual.

]]> By: x http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-111 x Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:13:36 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-111 I have to agree, that the Star Ocean 3 twist was utterly vile. I have to agree, that the Star Ocean 3 twist was utterly vile.

]]> By: ethan http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-115 ethan Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:01:43 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-115 I liked the star wars kotr twist I liked the star wars kotr twist

]]> By: Trulz http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-116 Trulz Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:32:01 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-116 Nice list, but I think that's a bit of an oversimplification of the KotOR twist. It wasn't just the knock on the head that made him "not remember". I was kind of surprised that FFVIII didn't make it. Everyone in your party grew up in the same orphanage run by the evil sorceress you are trying to kill (except she isn't really evil because of some kind of time wizardry BS). And oh yeah, she's married to the Headmaster of the main character's school. Nice list, but I think that’s a bit of an oversimplification of the KotOR twist. It wasn’t just the knock on the head that made him “not remember”.

I was kind of surprised that FFVIII didn’t make it. Everyone in your party grew up in the same orphanage run by the evil sorceress you are trying to kill (except she isn’t really evil because of some kind of time wizardry BS). And oh yeah, she’s married to the Headmaster of the main character’s school.

]]> By: kristopher http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-119 kristopher Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:46:29 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-119 Calling the revelation that Samus was a woman in the original Metroid a plot twist is a bit of a stretch. That game came out on the original Nintendo in 1986. In order to see the ending where Samus is revealed to be a woman, you had to beat the game in under 3 hours (or something like that, I can't remember) I believe it was mostly just a prank by the game designers, to give 12 year old video game geeks something to drool over. Games didn't really have stories back then like they do now. All you got was a few pages in the manual at the beginning, and maybe some text would scroll at the end. We were so innocent then we had no way of knowing how important story would become. Calling the revelation that Samus was a woman in the original Metroid a plot twist is a bit of a stretch. That game came out on the original Nintendo in 1986. In order to see the ending where Samus is revealed to be a woman, you had to beat the game in under 3 hours (or something like that, I can’t remember) I believe it was mostly just a prank by the game designers, to give 12 year old video game geeks something to drool over. Games didn’t really have stories back then like they do now. All you got was a few pages in the manual at the beginning, and maybe some text would scroll at the end. We were so innocent then we had no way of knowing how important story would become.

]]> By: Sara http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-121 Sara Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:41:44 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-121 I like how theres been a lot of controversy over you naming Samus' plot twist... from guys. I really just don't think it was a good move of Nintendo and I don't think it added anything for female gamers. I think they thought it would be a cool twist but it really wasn't... I like how theres been a lot of controversy over you naming Samus’ plot twist… from guys. I really just don’t think it was a good move of Nintendo and I don’t think it added anything for female gamers. I think they thought it would be a cool twist but it really wasn’t…

]]> By: Sethiroth http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-125 Sethiroth Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:45:54 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-125 Just to add in my two cents on a probably long closed issue. @Sara, I don't think it was added at all for female gamers. This site is called Girls Don't Game after the long running public belief that there are no girl gamers. While this is definitely a stereotype that is quickly getting shattered, back in the 1980s and early 90s when Metroid came out, there were thought to be NO girl gamers, there was never anything added to please the girl demographic short of a Barbie game now and then, and most of the time even the cartridges of those were pink. So you either had macho Contra shoot-em-up action for the boys, or pink Barbie fashion dress-up for the girls. That's why Samus being a girl was such a big thing, at least in retrospect. The concept of a girl who wasn't a Princess Toadstool waiting to be rescued simply caused little gamer boy brains to nearly explode, which is why i think they referred to Samus as a he, or at least gender-neutral. Well, at least for the average boy. I personally had my little sister playing Tails as soon as she could master the art of pushing a button. I've had her gaming from Sonic 2 all the way through our weekly WoW time together. I like to think I helped girl gamers a little, but, i suppose that's just a wee bit egotistical. Just to add in my two cents on a probably long closed issue. @Sara, I don’t think it was added at all for female gamers. This site is called Girls Don’t Game after the long running public belief that there are no girl gamers. While this is definitely a stereotype that is quickly getting shattered, back in the 1980s and early 90s when Metroid came out, there were thought to be NO girl gamers, there was never anything added to please the girl demographic short of a Barbie game now and then, and most of the time even the cartridges of those were pink. So you either had macho Contra shoot-em-up action for the boys, or pink Barbie fashion dress-up for the girls. That’s why Samus being a girl was such a big thing, at least in retrospect. The concept of a girl who wasn’t a Princess Toadstool waiting to be rescued simply caused little gamer boy brains to nearly explode, which is why i think they referred to Samus as a he, or at least gender-neutral.
Well, at least for the average boy. I personally had my little sister playing Tails as soon as she could master the art of pushing a button. I’ve had her gaming from Sonic 2 all the way through our weekly WoW time together. I like to think I helped girl gamers a little, but, i suppose that’s just a wee bit egotistical.

]]> By: Monteh http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-141 Monteh Sat, 15 Sep 2007 22:12:26 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-141 Fun list I gotta say, I am no wow fanboy, but if you played warcraft 3, you'd already know the Draenei were there. Not really a plot twist, always planned from the first moment. As for Sheik, it was obvious but can you really expect them to make her help you more? =P Come on, you get Navi "HEY, LOOK!, OVER HERE, *dashes about the screen*" for that. and we all know thats FUCKING annoying. Fun list I gotta say, I am no wow fanboy, but if you played warcraft 3, you’d already know the Draenei were there. Not really a plot twist, always planned from the first moment.
As for Sheik, it was obvious but can you really expect them to make her help you more? =P Come on, you get Navi “HEY, LOOK!, OVER HERE, *dashes about the screen*” for that. and we all know thats FUCKING annoying.

]]> By: Chris http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-175 Chris Sat, 22 Sep 2007 01:52:02 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-175 Pretty good list, although you are totally off on samus, You need to take into the context of when this game was made, back then it was more of a big deal. Pretty good list, although you are totally off on samus, You need to take into the context of when this game was made, back then it was more of a big deal.

]]> By: Boo http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-179 Boo Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:50:38 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-179 FFX was awesome. FFX was awesome.

]]> By: JKPolk http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-219 JKPolk Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:02:04 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-219 Oh come on, no ending to Red Alert? Kane was in control of the Soviets all along! This is awful if only for the fact that the Brotherhood of Nod only CAME INTO EXISTENCE because of Tiberium, which isn't mentioned once in Red Alert. Awesome tie-in, but completely pointless. Also awful if you hadn't played C&C1, and had no idea whom Kane was in the first place. Oh come on, no ending to Red Alert? Kane was in control of the Soviets all along!
This is awful if only for the fact that the Brotherhood of Nod only CAME INTO EXISTENCE because of Tiberium, which isn’t mentioned once in Red Alert. Awesome tie-in, but completely pointless. Also awful if you hadn’t played C&C1, and had no idea whom Kane was in the first place.

]]> By: Raymond http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-290 Raymond Wed, 10 Oct 2007 05:00:38 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-290 The whole Bioshock "plot twist" certainly wasn't one of the worst, but I have to say that it was the most blatantly obvious twist possible. Certainly as bad as KoTOR, though neither are really bad because of the reasons the cliche was used. Just as Bioshock used the cliche to further the whole utopia-gone-hell idea, KotTOR used your amnesia as a way to hide the massive struggle over your powers. Certainly there are worse plot twists. Such as Star Ocean. Bleh. The whole Bioshock “plot twist” certainly wasn’t one of the worst, but I have to say that it was the most blatantly obvious twist possible. Certainly as bad as KoTOR, though neither are really bad because of the reasons the cliche was used. Just as Bioshock used the cliche to further the whole utopia-gone-hell idea, KotTOR used your amnesia as a way to hide the massive struggle over your powers. Certainly there are worse plot twists. Such as Star Ocean. Bleh.

]]> By: Paul http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-329 Paul Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:00:04 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-329 I personally enjoyed both the twists of Bioshock and of KOTOR, and instead of playing it to try and guess the twist try and get some empathy going, you think your character in KOTOR would be going "I know I can't remember anything, but I bet I am so totally that big bad guy that's dead. OR a zombie...but I'm sticking with my first guess." I personally enjoyed both the twists of Bioshock and of KOTOR, and instead of playing it to try and guess the twist try and get some empathy going, you think your character in KOTOR would be going “I know I can’t remember anything, but I bet I am so totally that big bad guy that’s dead. OR a zombie…but I’m sticking with my first guess.”

]]> By: Ryan http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-1071 Ryan Sat, 26 Jan 2008 03:45:29 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-1071 I thought Final Fantasy X was one of the best stories I've ever seen in a video game. The plot twist at the end with Tidus not being real made the story even better in my opinion. I thought Final Fantasy X was one of the best stories I’ve ever seen in a video game. The plot twist at the end with Tidus not being real made the story even better in my opinion.

]]> By: Justine Bailey http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-1278 Justine Bailey Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:19:14 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-1278 Re: "If you think a secret ending in which she’s revealed as a female does something for females, chances are you’re not one.": I disagree. I was a young girl and gamer in the 80s, and Samus being a woman was a HUGE thing for me. At the time when women in games were largely relegated to roles like 'princess at the end of the caste', the fact that the gun-toting, power-armor clad loner Samus wasn't a guy pretty clearly challenged gender expectations, and it was something I immediately responded to -- I still have a soft spot for Samus and balk anytime anyone mistaken calls her a "he", which still happens more than you'd guess. Moreover, making Samus's gender a twist had the effect -- intended or not -- of giving young girls permission to identify with all manner of gaming protagonists for whose genders were not especially important otherwise. For me, it served as a gentle reminder not to be hung up on the pronoun choices in 8-bit games with hardly six words of dialogue , and increased my confidence in imagining myself in the role of the hero. Certainly, the existence of a tacked on bit of code that lets Samus be seen in rather revealing attire if you meet some esoteric set of conditions undermines the case for Metroid being all that progressive, but if you think that lessens the importance of her being female in the first place, you aren't thinking with your historical context hat on. She was a woman, she kicked ass, and it's even better as a surprise because it manipulates predictable misogynistic assumptions in order to create that sense of surprise. IMO, anyway. Re: “If you think a secret ending in which she’s revealed as a female does something for females, chances are you’re not one.”: I disagree.

I was a young girl and gamer in the 80s, and Samus being a woman was a HUGE thing for me. At the time when women in games were largely relegated to roles like ‘princess at the end of the caste’, the fact that the gun-toting, power-armor clad loner Samus wasn’t a guy pretty clearly challenged gender expectations, and it was something I immediately responded to — I still have a soft spot for Samus and balk anytime anyone mistaken calls her a “he”, which still happens more than you’d guess.

Moreover, making Samus’s gender a twist had the effect — intended or not — of giving young girls permission to identify with all manner of gaming protagonists for whose genders were not especially important otherwise. For me, it served as a gentle reminder not to be hung up on the pronoun choices in 8-bit games with hardly six words of dialogue , and increased my confidence in imagining myself in the role of the hero.

Certainly, the existence of a tacked on bit of code that lets Samus be seen in rather revealing attire if you meet some esoteric set of conditions undermines the case for Metroid being all that progressive, but if you think that lessens the importance of her being female in the first place, you aren’t thinking with your historical context hat on. She was a woman, she kicked ass, and it’s even better as a surprise because it manipulates predictable misogynistic assumptions in order to create that sense of surprise. IMO, anyway.

]]> By: RiotMonster http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-2538 RiotMonster Fri, 16 May 2008 01:17:11 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2007/09/11/top-10-worst-plot-twists-in-video-games/#comment-2538 Interesting read.. although I wouldn't say that Samus Aran being a girl is a bad twist.. I suppose you can say it was unnecessary but it didn't ruin anything for me. Also, my favorite plot twist is in Jak and Daxter XD Ok.. that's not true but that is a pretty crazy plot twist if you've played the games. Interesting read.. although I wouldn’t say that Samus Aran being a girl is a bad twist.. I suppose you can say it was unnecessary but it didn’t ruin anything for me.

Also, my favorite plot twist is in Jak and Daxter XD
Ok.. that’s not true but that is a pretty crazy plot twist if you’ve played the games.

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