Setting, story, and plot

Beyond consideration for archetypes and stereotypes, there is a need to consider how the broader narrative has an impact on how we conceive of, develop, and interpret video game characters. Three narrative elements we might consider when creating or analysing a video game character are the setting of the game, the backstory of the character, and the structure of the plot.

All of these elements combine to create the broader narrative context a character fits within. What game settings do you feel have added depth to a player character? Can you think of any characters that have interesting backstories? Or can you instead identify games that provided interesting plot structures that added interest to the player character’s journey?