Recs.
Updated
Specs
Pros
Pro The Black and White series lets the player be successful with whatever choices they want to make
Despite the game changing based on the player’s good or evil actions, the game itself does not signify that one set is better or worse than the other. Players are not benefited or punished for choosing to be good over evil, or vice versa, and can freely switch between the two sides. This allows the player to fully explore the options that interest them, without the fear of missing out on key features of the game or making the game significantly harder on themselves.
Pro The series features a robust AI that learns from the player
In addition to the game remembering player actions and changing based on them, the player can also teach the game what type of actions they want it to make. This is largely done through the creature, which is a kind of avatar for the player in the game world. The creature is mostly autonomous, but chooses its actions based on what the player has taught it directly. These actions can even be independent of the game’s reflection on the player directly. For example, a player can be a good god but have an evil creature by teaching it to destroy buildings in the game.
Pro Player actions have a meaningful effect on the game
The Black and White series largely revolves around the choices the player can make as a god. Almost every action in the game is interpreted by the player’s followers to be good or evil, and this is reflected in a variety of ways. The player’s followers can be terrified or inspired by the player, and the appearance of buildings will change based on good or evil the player’s actions are.
Cons
Con The player has little direct control over the game world
Many of the player’s actions have a lasting impact on the game, but few of them have direct impact. Over time the player can teach their creature how to act, but there is no way for the player to directly teach the creature what to do in a new situation. Developing the desired behavior can be a very tedious process full of trial and error, where the player is at the mercy of the game deciding which possible actions to pursue.
Con The player’s actions have little impact on the overall story of the game
Despite the Black and White series being lauded for how it allows player actions to shape how the game responds to the player, the story is largely missing this feature. The player can pursue a few different options for completing each story mission, but the differences between these options are minimal. The player will see the same basic story points in the same order no matter how good or evil their actions are in the game.