Are you a writer struggling to find inspiration or improve your writing skills? Look no further than your own computer. PC games can be a valuable tool for improving your creative writing and storytelling abilities. In this article, we will explore some of the best PC games for writers, and how they can help you hone your craft.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a classic open-world RPG that allows the player to create their own character and explore a vast, immersive world. One of the most compelling aspects of Skyrim is its rich lore and storytelling. The game’s main story arc is engaging and well-written, but what really sets Skyrim apart is its side quests and optional content.
Many of these quests involve writing and storytelling in some form, whether it’s composing a play for a local theater group or solving a murder mystery by piecing together clues. These quests require the player to use their imagination and creativity to craft compelling stories and characters.
Playing Skyrim can help writers learn the importance of world-building, character development, and plot structure. It can also help them develop their descriptive writing skills, as the game’s environments are richly detailed and immersive.
Life is Strange
Life is Strange is a narrative-driven adventure game that follows the story of a teenage girl named Max who discovers she has the ability to rewind time. The game’s story deals with heavy themes such as loss, grief, and mental health, and is praised for its realistic and relatable characters.
What makes Life is Strange particularly useful for writers is its emphasis on choice and consequence. The player’s decisions throughout the game affect the story’s outcome, meaning that every playthrough can be different. This structure can help writers understand the importance of cause and effect in storytelling, and the impact that character choices can have on the plot.
Life is Strange also features strong dialogue writing, and can help writers learn how to write realistic and believable conversations between characters.
Portal 2
Portal 2 is a puzzle game that requires the player to use logic and problem-solving skills to navigate through a series of increasingly complex test chambers. What sets Portal 2 apart from other puzzle games is its quirky and humorous writing.
The game’s antagonist, GLaDOS, is an AI with a dark sense of humor and a penchant for sarcasm. The player’s interactions with GLaDOS and other characters throughout the game are filled with witty banter and clever wordplay.
Playing Portal 2 can help writers learn how to write humor and develop their own unique writing voice. It can also help them understand the importance of pacing and tension in storytelling, as the game’s puzzles become more challenging and the stakes become higher as the story progresses.
Conclusion
PC games can be a valuable tool for writers looking to improve their creative writing and storytelling skills. Games like Skyrim, Life is Strange, and Portal 2 offer engaging narratives, interesting characters, and unique writing styles that can inspire writers to think outside the box and develop their own writing voices.
By playing these games and analyzing their storytelling techniques, writers can learn important skills such as world-building, character development, plot structure, dialogue writing, and humor. So why not take a break from writing and fire up your PC for some gaming inspiration?
