A few days ago, I started reading Rewitched. I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous cover and that cozy, autumnal atmosphere.
But, much like The Honey Witch, the storytelling is starting to get on my nerves. The author spends pages describing characters…Why not show us who they are through the story itself?
That is one reason why I loved Chinese Cinderella. The way the main character/Chinese Cinderella revealed her stepmother’s cruelty was masterful – I experienced it through her actions, not descriptions. I’m not the only one who feels that way, by the way — there’s actually a technique called “show, don’t tell” that embodies this concept.
In this sense, video games possess a distinct advantage in implementing the ‘show, don’t tell’ technique. The combination of visuals and sound helps immerse players in the world and understand the characters, rather than merely describing them.
When I shared those thoughts with my husband, he recommended a new game to me — Serena. It’s a short point‑and‑click experience that takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. I’d describe it as a “don’t show, don’t tell” type of game—the complete opposite end of the storytelling spectrum. I suppose he wanted me to experience that other extreme for contrast:)
In that game, you need to carefully find the right spots to point and click in order to piece together the story. So, you are pretty much on your own!
Anyhow, I felt the story wasn’t particularly strong. You start in a cabin, trying to figure out what happened to your wife—and what exactly you’ve forgotten. As you progress, you gradually uncover a photo of her that’s initially obscured. However, the narrative felt underdeveloped to me; all I really discovered (about the wife’s physical appearance) was a hairbrush with blonde hair. I had expected more challenge and more clues to piece together before the reveal. Still, I liked the visuals, so here are some images:
How do you like your stories? Which end of the spectrum do you lean toward? ‘Show and dont’ tell’ or ‘tell and don’t show’?