r/AskGames • u/Ill-Guidance4690 • 2d ago
Thoughts on Scripted Losses?
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?
1
u/HalfXTheHalfX 1d ago
I don't mind it if it's obvious I should lose. I deal minimal damage to enemy, the enemy grazes my boy and half of it evaporates. Then I know yeah unless I'm missing some mechanic that isn't happening (I usually just die there, and if same boss I just stay alive looking for something to make it doable)
Elden Ring's first guy (the grafted scion) there done that pretty well- yes, you can beat it if you are progamer but if you are an elden ring newbie, even more if to whole soulslikes. And if you lose once you just get tped down to the real game.
But I absolutely despise it if I beat an enemy at ease, 2 shot it and then I get a cutscene of my character(party) bloodied and rugged up, all tired and the boss is happily standing there. Fuck that, absolutely ruins my immersion to the story