Fallout 4 - Why Show Don’t Tell is Important
One part of Fallout 4 that always seemed weak to me was the setup for the plot. Or rather the obligation the plot puts on you for having to care about a child.
Fallout 3 did this in a good way. They introduced your father, you spend at least 30 minutes growing up and seeing different interactions with them, different values. It gave the player time to come to their own conclusions and level of attachment. So when he was gone, you did feel a sense of loss.
Fallout 4 doesn’t do this though. You have a brief interactions through your house, spin a mobile and then it’s off the Vault.
There’s no time really spent on developing who they are, or letting the player come to their own conclusions. You are expected to care because it’s a baby, its your child and family. But its only because you are told this.
Great rule of writing is show don’t tell. Why didn’t we see part of Shaun being born, or literally any other interactions besides just before the end of the world.
Familiar connections always have the implication that you have to care about them. But its difficult as a player to have that connection if you don’t spend time actually showing us that relationship. It relies a lot on the fact that a baby is the symbol of innocence and defenselessness for our motivation to want to save him.
It lost what a lot of the earlier games had. Because by providing that grounding link it loses the slightly blank canvas for your protagonist. So you were able to project whatever kind of personality and ideal onto them.
Fallout 4 relies on the fact that by murdering your spouse and stealing your child, you are obligated to care. It makes assumptions. It enforces motivations and goals. You already had a character there, pre-made that had values and goals that the player doesn’t get a choice for. Not really the mute blank protagonist that tends to excel in an RPG.
There was definitely a missed opportunity with it, and I think its the main reason I still prefer Fallout 3 and New Vegas.
