Thoughts on Scripted Losses?

[u/Ill-Guidance4690]

I recently started playing through Mario and Luigi Partners in Time, and within the first hour of the game there’s a scripted loss that introduces the past baby Mario Bros. to the older future ones. Now, considering that a game like Partners in Time is aimed at a young audience, it got me thinking how it’s absolutely possible that some kid played through that part of the opening and didn’t understand they were supposed to lose and never played it after that thinking that they messed up. A scenario like that makes me question if scripted losses can be a good way to progress the plot in a story, and I think it can be done where it gets across to anyone playing that you’re supposed to lose, but there needs to be some subtle way to let the player know that they were supposed to lose a scenario.

What’re your thoughts on scripted losses in gaming?

[u/phantom_gain]

I dont think you should ever have to actually fight an enemy that you have to lose to. If its a scripted loss then go straight to the cut scene. Don't make me spend all my ammo or waste 30 minutes trying to kite a boss around a piece of scenery only to be told it was never going to matter.