Ludonarrative harmony

Much has been said about ludonarrative dissonance in video games. But what about its opposite? When game mechanics and narrative themes go hand in hand and synergize with each other? Let's talk about ludonarrative harmony!
00:00 - Introduction
02:03 - Power Fantasy and its opposite
03:35 - Final Fantasy XV
04:48 - Final Fantasy XIII
06:51 - What Remains of Edith Finch
08:25 - In Stars and Time
09:42 - Conclusion
This video contains footage from the following:
Batman: Arkham Knight
Marvel's Midnight Suns
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VIII
Silent Hill 2 Remake Deluxe Edition and Pre-Order Bonuses Revealed - gamerant.com/silent-hill-2-re...
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Final Fantasy X
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Announcement Trailer | PS5 Games - • Dynasty Warriors: Orig...
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Resident Evil 2 (2019)
Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons
Final Fantasy XV
Pot Massacre - Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Castle Town - Part 30 - • Pot Massacre - Zelda: ...
Final Fantasy XIII
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
What Remains of Edith Finch
In Stars And Time
Groundhog Day
Baldur's Gate 3
Dragon Age: Origins
Final Fantasy XIV
Music Credits:
Leaving Valhalla
Composed by Jesper Kyd
From Assassin's Creed Valhalla
A Battle Decisively
Composed by Masayoshi Soken
From Final Fantasy XIV
Wanderlust
Composed by Yoko Shimomura
From Final Fantasy XV
Fabula Nova Crystallis
Composed by Masashi Hamauzu
From Final Fantasy XIII
Edith's Theme
Composed by Jeff Russo
From What Remains of Edith Finch
You Want To Stay With Them
Composed by Studio Thumpy Puppy
From In Stars and Time
I WON'T LET YOU GO HOME
Performed by Studio Thumpy Puppy
From In Stars and Time

[@artenthusiastae7196]

The project moon games are a fantastic example of this

[@vagabundorkchaosmagick-use2898]

A better alternative to "weakness fantasy" games is "horror games".

[@spelreflects]

It's true that horror games fit that fantasy perfectly, but it's not limited to that genre. I wouldn't classify A Plague Tale as horror (even though the rat swarms are very creepy), but it also uses that feeling of powerlessness. Sometimes it's also a sequence where you have to hide because you are temporarily powerless in an otherwise classic power fantasy (the scarecrow sequences from the Batman Arkham games come to mind).
Thank you for your comment!

[@vagabundorkchaosmagick-use2898]

@@spelreflects way I see it, horror fiction is not only that which scares you, but that which tells stories of the evil or of the supernatural (that is not fantasy).of A Plagie Tale was a book, they would advertise it as a horror novel, not as an adventure book or a stealth book. But, yeah, game genres and book genres are not exactly compatible.
Maybe it's something worth thinking about, books genres are novel, short story, poetry, essay, memoir, amd otjers; but also fantasy, naturalism, science fiction, realism, military, erotic, and more. Maybe one thing is genre and the other needs a new name, style, type, or something.
The same goes for games, there are action, adventure, puzzle, fighting, survival, rpg, brawler, and so on, and there can be action horror, action fantasy, adventure realism, rpg fantasy, rpg military.
I think, in games, the fiction is the genre and the mechanics are the style.
Anyway, I don't think there will be conscensus about it, bit I see A Plague Tale as a horror/action game.

[@spelreflects]

@@vagabundorkchaosmagick-use2898 An interesting thought! It's true that the feeling of helplessness and the unease it leads to is probably more defining for the horror genre than actual monsters.

[@Ceralynde]

I like that you're talking about what makes video games an art form: the use of its particularities to make the player feel things. We often only talk about cinematography, scenario, and photography, but all those can be found in other forms of art, whereas what's unique about games is how gameplay makes us a part of the story or used to make us FEEL. (Just like other form of art).
Just like Eternal Darkness where we have a sanity bar and when low, the game give us, players, hallucinations (and really harsh one, like losing our saves or make us believe the controller is unplugged before cornering us with zombies).
In short : Good theme and good subject tackling the essence of videogame.

[@spelreflects]

Eternal Darkness sounds sadistic :) . I'll always remember in Batman Arkham Asylum, when the scarecrow toxin leads to a glitch typical of a GPU failure. Scariest jumpscare ever.

[@fayt5645]

I'm glad this came up on my feed. Great video 👍

[@dttguess]

Hadn't ever really thought about ludonarrative harmony before! Thanks for that! Metal Gear is the definition of it for me. Any way you play fits in the world and it's narrative.

[@spelreflects]

I've never actually played a Metal Gear game because I have a complicated realtionship with stealth games, but I'm not surprised. Kojima often talks about gameplay as a tool to affect the mindset of the player.

[@spellcrashers]

This was cool, I personally favor video essays, so it's nice to see a new voice tackling video games! Looking forward to your journey!

[@spelreflects]

Thank you for your support!

[@datafogao]

Neat essay, i also never think about that 😅

[@MegamanStarforce2010]

undertale's the big one. the themes of non-violence are directly integrated into the story and gameplay and the ludonarrative harmony is exactly what makes it all feel so real.

[@spelreflects]

It's a good example indeed!

[@luwain358]

Gotta love the calm approach!💙

[@MoaccyrK]

Great video! Really enjoyed your analysis on ludonarrative harmony :)

[@KuroOnehalf]

Nice essay!

[@spelreflects]

Thank you!

[@GayRiku]

Totally agree about Final Fantasy 13.... People complained about not being able to backtrack too, and I also think that makes sense - our characters are on the run!
nice video!!!

[@nifftbatuff676]

Too bad that ludonarrative dissonance is the standard in games, so much that people are desensitized to it.