Some Games Shouldn't Be Games | Windbreaker Podcast
Summary
In this episode, the Windbreakers discuss games that might work better in other media, such as TV or film. Jay argues that narrative-heavy titles like God of War 2018 and Wolverine suffer from "ghost train ride" pacing where gameplay feels like a token interruption to the story. Marty counters by defending visual novels and 13 Sentinels, suggesting that interactive choices provide unique narrative context that static media cannot replicate. The group debates the definition of a game, the utility of QTEs, and whether hybrid formats like Dispatch or Quantum Break succeed in blending gameplay …
Topics discussed
Sponsor: American Horror Story 13
Introduction and host introductions
Thesis: Games that work better in other mediums
God of War 2018: One-shot narrative delivery
Critique of corridor combat and 'ghost train' pacing
Defining the 'ghost train' ride concept
Filmic language vs. unique game storytelling
Marvel's Wolverine: Structure and traversal
The balance of gameplay and narrative moments
Dispatch: A game that could be a cartoon
QTEs and the value of cutscenes
Onomusha and Metal Gear: Gameplay vs. Story
Visual novels and the definition of a game
Semantics of media and failure states
Super Chats: Guitar Hero, Driver 3, and GTA 5
Quantum Break and FMV games
Sponsor: American Horror Story 13
Heavy Rain, Fahrenheit, and David Page's writing
Mystery genres and Last of Us adaptations
Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Journey
Death Stranding and Saints Row as TV series
Firewatch and gameplay-focused games with bad story
Disco Elysium and the value of reset mechanics
Stephen King's Dark Tower and Mirror's Edge mod
Gator Golf, Hellraiser, and upcoming horror games
Outro: Upcoming episodes and final thoughts
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