Feature
It’s not uncommon for a cutscene to present us with a different perspective. These sequences can illustrate events through the eyes of several different characters, whether they’re the main protagonist or not. Seeing things from a new angle can not only increase the impact of storytelling, but open up new threads entirely.
When all is said and done, we’re usually returned to our playable character with useful information in tow -– but not always. Sometimes we remain in a different perspective, controlling the actions of a new character, continuing on a different path than the one we felt comfortable with. Sure, it’s jarring. You’re not sure if you have the same abilities, or even whether your path is the same. If you’re thrown into the shoes of a villain, should you assume evil motives? Are there going to be completely new tutorials for this character?
Often, this shift is only temporary, giving you a brief glimpse at the grass on the other side of the fence. Other games keep you in the new shoes for the remainder of the story. It’s not something any other medium can do. You can watch a new main character continue a film narrative, or read from a new character’s perspective in a book, but games allow you to actually dictate events from a completely different perch.
This shifting perspective is a two-headed beast. While in one instance it may give us valuable insight into the mind of a villain or compatriot, another might make us miss the former character all the more. The line between dynamic storyline and critical misstep is a thin one. However, good writing can widen that line, and the games that have are hard to forget.
[Warning: The Following Page Contains Heavy Spoilers For Metal gear Solid 2, Chrono Trigger, Red Dead Redemption, Assassin's Creed, And Halo 2]
Raiden
Hideo Kojima’s love of film permeates his Metal Gear Solid series. Character names, scripted events, and even gameplay mechanics were inspired by movies like Full Metal Jacket and Escape from New York. In Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Kojima wanted to develop Solid Snake through another character’s perspective. As in film, this could be accomplished by providing an outside perspective. To do this, Kojima needed a new playable character.
This idea wasn’t known to the public; you had spent the previous game establishing a strong bond with Snake, during the first few hours of MGS 2 as well. Much to the surprise – and chagrin – of fans, a new character took the reins for the remainder of the sequel. Cue Raiden. He’s the polar opposite of Snake; where the original hero is masculine, Raiden exhibits feminine qualities. Snake is battle-hardened, while Raiden is virtually trained.
Any doubt as to whether Sons of Liberty was Raiden’s game was erased the first time you briefly encounter Iroquois Pliskin – Snake in disguise. The meeting ends without switching back to Snake’s perspective, driving home the fact that Raiden’s here to stay. Many cried foul at the shift in characters. However, the change did offer you a glimpse at the hero of Shadow Moses Island from a removed point of view. Although you didn’t play as the hero anymore, you got to view his relationship with Otacon from the outside, and hear his voice over the radio as he completed objectives. Raiden’s encounters with supporting cast are also much different than Snake’s and his lack of experience shows in his inquisitive nature. Although he later received a makeover for his role in Metal Gear Solid 4, Raiden’s initial appearance brought a fresh perspective to the Metal Gear Solid storyline.
Jack Marston
Ranch work is the last thing you’d expect to be doing after dozen of hours in Red Dead Redemption. You led a Mexican revolution, highjacked trains, hunted down members of your old gang – but here you are teaching your son how to hunt and herd cattle. The pacing slows considerably, and it’s unclear why, until a chance encounter with the law speeds things up again.
John Marston, the protagonist for the majority of the game, emerges from his barn in a hail of bullets in an attempt to save his wife and son. His son Jack returns to find his father dead, and later buries his mother next to John when she succumbs to illness.
In an effort to avenge his dad, Jack sets out to find the man who wronged his family. With John dead, you take control of his son, the very person he died to protect. Although you barely know him, it doesn’t make the dramatic shift any less impactful. Like you, Jack had a relationship with the former protagonist, and that’s something you can relate to. The game continues under the narrative of a completely new character, showcasing the unique potential of video games as a medium, and driving home the relationship with father and son even more.
Magus
The events in Chrono Trigger leading up to Crono’s battle with Magus have you believing that he’s trying to control the ancient creature Lavos. After battling the dark mage, the party is transported back to prehistoric times and it’s eventually learned that Magus, much like you, is attempting to destroy the creature.
This revelation alone was enough to change your perspective of the sorcerer, but throw in the fact that he later joins your party, and an even deeper connection is fostered. His abilities, dialogue, and narrative all mesh with the rest of your group; it allows you to see the supposed villain in a new light, challenging your prior beliefs.
Having magus in your party encourages you to learn his intentions from his own point of view. It’s revealed that he lost his sister to Lavos, and his mother became a puppet for the evil being. Whatever your intentions for destroying Lavos were before, they pale in comparison to the personal agenda Magus holds with the beast. It’s not often that villains can be humanized, but Chrono Trigger placed one at our sides and made us connect with him.
The Arbiter
Speaking of empathizing with villains, Halo 2 does just that. Combat Evolved follows the Master Chief as he sets out to destroy the ring world Halo, against the wishes of the Covenant that followed him there. At the outset of Halo 2, we’re shown several cutscenes illustrating the fate of the Supreme Commander under whom the ring was destroyed. As more and more of this process is presented to us, we wonder why so much of the story is delving into this character.
After public torture and humiliation, the commander is brought to the Prophets, who bestow upon him the title of the Arbiter; essentially a special agent for the Prophets in times of crisis. Little by little, we begin to suspect that we’ll see more of the Arbiter. Maybe he’s the main antagonist? The Chief destroyed Halo under his watch, so he must hold some bitter resentment towards the human.
On his first mission, the Arbiter descends onto a platform where a heretic is known to have established a base. In true halo form, the cutscene ends in a flash of white, and we’re standing in the shoes of the Arbiter himself. With an energy sword and plasma rifle in hand, we descend into the depths of the base, marveling at the fact that we’re in the shoes of a Covenant elite.
The Arbiter’s journey throughout Halo 2 is one of rebellion. Learning of the Prophets’ true plans, and the fact that the universe will be destroyed, leads him on a mission that eventually helps the Master Chief. Switching between the two presents the story from both sides of the fence; whereas the human’s purpose is clear, the Arbiter’s is shrouded in doubt. This couldn’t be done in any other medium. Not only do we view things through the Arbiter’s eyes, but we grow attached to him, and all preconceived notions are destroyed. It feels completely natural when the two are finally fighting back to back.
Desmond Miles
Much like Raiden and the Arbiter, Desmond’s existence was kept completely secret from the public before Assassin’s Creed’s release. Some even thought they had bought the wrong game when Assassin’s Creed opened on a modern day setting. With the introduction of Desmond as the series’ uniting factor, Assassin’s Creed surprised many right off the bat.
Upon entering the Animus – a machine that allows Desmond to relive his ancestors’ memories – we’re given the chance to inhabit Altair, Ezio, and Connor. Although Desmond played a backseat role to his ancestors in most of the games his importance grew with each sequel. The looming threat of Armageddon in the modern day storyline drives home the importance of Desmond’s mission, and we’ve come to expect questions – or answers – every time he steps out of the Animus.
The hint of a sci-fi twist before Assassin’s Creed released put fans on guard. To assume the role of a completely new character though, one we hadn’t seen in any trailer for the game, was something very few saw coming. Furthermore, one could argue that Desmond is by far the most important character in the series. His role in the modern day storyline and the plan the First Civilization laid out for him create the glue that holds the whole plot together. The series is rich with dynamic characters; none more so than the one we didn’t initially know existed.
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