How did this game review so well?

[Grunkle Nutz]

I have no outlet to discuss this with anyone and find the overwhelming support very strange. Is the dialogue actually tolerable to fans of the game? Does nobody realize that characters blatantly announcing their feelings isn't good writing? I understand that many people felt they could relate to the protagonists, but is that due to the ever-present cosmetic theme of repetition and lack of substance or the familiarity of terms used by the lead characters? I swear that it's impossible to find criticism for this game and I'm worried that if nobody challenges the praise it's receiving we may see more games based around poorly written dialogue and characters that lack depth. I doubt anyone looking for discussion of Night in the Woods is looking to read criticism, but if you happen to feel differently feel free to come call me an idiot for hating on your badly written coming-of-age story

[Applesmacked]

Because the characters are great, although mae really makes me cringe sometimes when she speaks without thinking.

Also wow, that voice over from that video is awful, jesus christ how can you stand that. No wonder you hated it.

[signalmax]

Originally posted by Eelitist:

Originally posted by signalmax:

You're really coming across with the idea that because you personally don't like the game it means that it is objectively terrible. People are allowed to have opinions on something and no game is flawless. But just because you don't like it, it doesn't mean that other people are no longer allowed to like it either. A lot of people enjoyed the game, you didn't, who cares.

I'm not saying that the game is perfect and that it doesn't have any shortcomings. But I just don't see why you not enjoying it means that it will be a terrible experience for everyone, because the aformentioned praise and adoration for this game is clear evidence to the contrary.

If you'd actually read what I'd wrote you'd see that I've been demonstrating nothing but humility and an earnest desire to understand why people hold the game in such high regard. There is no objectivity in my posts and everything I've stated is mere opinion as well as not meant to attack or discredit the game in any way but simply to offer criticism. I do find it a bit strange that you're telling me my opinion doesn't matter by telling me that people are allowed to have opinions?

It came out a lot more accusative than I meant it to be. But still, I'm referring to you stating in your original body post that the game has lousy writing and poorly written characters, even going so far to call it a badly-written coming-of-age story, which it is neither, really.

[Grunkle Nutz]

Originally posted by Applesmacked:

Because the characters are great, although mae really makes me cringe sometimes when she speaks without thinking.

Also wow, that voice over from that video is awful, jesus christ how can you stand that. No wonder you hated it.

Yeah, Ding Dong is a big old negative nancy but I only linked the vid to demonstrate the issue that people have with the dialect used in-game. Pretty much only serves as me saying "I'm not the only one".

[Kina]

i dont think people are afraid to critisize the game, i honestly do think that the majority of people like the broken dialogue. its part of what makes the game unique, its not a cliche story, with a happy lovey dovey ending, and its not a sad story with a huge twist that nobody would see coming. the game is just...different. the abrupt ending that alot of people hate, the bad dialogue, the story that some people may not enjoy, i think that all makes this game what it is. its a look at what some peoples lives may actually be like, sad, depressing, ect, nobodys lives are fairy tale storys with cheesy dialogue, its often times full of meh and embarrasment. i obviously have nothing against your opinion, but i really dont think people are not dissapproving of the game because theyre scared, it just breaks the boundaries of what a normal game would be, and alot of people seem to like that.

[Nonpondo]

Originally posted by Eelitist:

Originally posted by Applesmacked:

Because the characters are great, although mae really makes me cringe sometimes when she speaks without thinking.

Also wow, that voice over from that video is awful, jesus christ how can you stand that. No wonder you hated it.

Yeah, Ding Dong is a big old negative nancy but I only linked the vid to demonstrate the issue that people have with the dialect used in-game. Pretty much only serves as me saying "I'm not the only one".

dingdong is a bad example cause you can make any "Good" story sound like ♥♥♥♥ if you read it like you hate it, a lot of people this is their first time seeing the game so theres probably a few who wouldnt mind the game if they played it themselves or saw it somewhere else first

[Hero Puddle]

As someone who played the game I'm confused by what you mean about it having a poor narrative, could you perhaps point out certain scenes which you beleive typify this, it'll help me understand your argument. Maybe use timestamps from the video you posted.

[meritone]

I've had this same phenomenon happen to me with a different game. I believe it was the STALKER series of games. Generally well recieved, big cult following, but it just didn't click for me. Posted review and forums topic about it and was instantly flamed and review was brigaded to 0/whatever people saying it wasn't helpful.

Not liking generally liked games can be weird. It can make the discussion really polarized, and people might assume you're just a contrarian. Night in the Woods was one of the best games I've ever played for a few reasons. Basically everything about Mae fits me like a glove. Story felt more like a candid window into the characters lives instead of scripted perfection. Relaxing music and atmosphere, really cared about the characters wellbeing too.

But if it didn't click for you, thats fine. It doesn't mean the game is bad, but your opinion is still valid. I can see why this style of dialog and story pacing would rub someone the wrong way, but it felt really great to me.

[KLightningflik]

nah, you're in the minority.

[󠀡󠀡]

I'm actually glad you point this out because I saw nothing but glowing reviews and feedback whenever I looked in to / asked about the game, and aside from a few cutesy or humorous quips from the characters, they didn't really interest me, and the story was interesting but really sudden and far fetched. I mean, the game wasn't terrible but by the end of it all I could think was, "THIS is what everyone is worshipping?" And no matter who I talked to and tried to be critical about the game would all simply defend it's delightfully queer characters to the death.

[MoltenFrost2021]

don't see how people can sit there and nitpick the writing, it instantly hooked me.

[Seal.gov]

First I'd like to thank you for calling out the game's flaws and staying mostly objective. It's pleasing to see that on a 90% subjective internet.

Second, I'll just answer your questions in the post.

1./2. I can't speak for everyone, but for me it was. The art style plus the style of the dialogue would make it extremely hard to convey emotions in the art rather than in the dialogue, rather than something like Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. While I do agree that announcing feelings blatanly isn't good writing in the slighest, I do think this game is well-written, because there is character development and some obvious/not obvious hints towards emotions beforehand. It's never THAT blatant anyway, with them maybe just discussing what they do or events to describe how they feel.
3. Not sure how to properly answer this, but a lot of kids/young adults today do use familiar terms and are use to repition. The game's not too repititive itself when compared to stuff like Don't Starve (Which is still a fantastic game). That's all I can properly say.
4. Your concerns are 100% valid and I get it. I don't think the story and characters are shallow, however.

PHEW that got long, I hope you have time to read it, and if you want to hear more of what I think I'll write a review and link you to it.

[ice]

I'm afraid you're just wrong.

[Foxinthesky™]

Name a (story driven) game that you think has good writting if you think this one has bad writing

[Okami Amaterasu]

Originally posted by signalmax:

You're really coming across with the idea that because you personally don't like the game it means that it is objectively terrible. People are allowed to have opinions on something and no game is flawless. But just because you don't like it, it doesn't mean that other people are no longer allowed to like it either. A lot of people enjoyed the game, you didn't, who cares.

I'm not saying that the game is perfect and that it doesn't have any shortcomings. But I just don't see why you not enjoying it means that it will be a terrible experience for everyone, because the aformentioned praise and adoration for this game is clear evidence to the contrary.

[fullmaple]

(Whoa, lots of opinions. just gonna lay mine here)

I do get where you're coming from. While i do somewhat enjoy the mediocre writing and don't mind the direction mistakes that was made in the dialogue, I'm pretty thankfull that other story-driven games aren't like NITW.

I guess the reason why i think that the game is getting so much approuval is because of how artsy the game is and how enjoyable walking around/exploring the town is. Along with the familiar dialog and how open the characters are. And, imo, there is indeed some moments in the game that are pretty wacky and silly, which is what i was expecting of the game. Paranormal, not too serious of itself.

But you know, i might be wrong. i found the dialog not too bad. I wasn't expecting an extraordinary dialog and writing direction, but just enough to tolerate. And to be honest I just like exploring the town and just finding what i missed in my first playthrough.