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It's normal for games to take liberties with reality once in a while, and picking at a scratch in the story until it turns into a gaping wound doesn't do much for anyone's enjoyment. It's good to understand that little mistakes are going to happen; that way you won't be disappointed, and choosing your believability battles is always smart.
Why do you black out when all of your Pokemon faint?
When a Wiki dedicated to a gaming franchise says the reason for a mechanic is "unknown", you know looking for a better answer is a lost cause. Such is the case with Pokemon: even its most dedicated, encyclopedic fans cant dig out a good reason for why your character blacks out (or "whites out", whatever that means) when all their Pokemon faint in the midst of battle.
Why aren't the humans using Covenant weapons more often in Halo?
The events of the Halo series have intensified exponentially with every passing installment. Even the standing conflict between humans and Covenant has sharpened, since later entries reveal that humans have been fighting for survival against the alien scourge for 30 years. In that time the humans have been horribly outclassed, with settlements falling left and right to the Covenant's superior military. It seems humans just don't have the resources necessary to put up a strong front.
How does Gordon survive without a helmet in Half-Life?
Gordon Freeman graduated from MIT with dual-degrees in quantum physics and being a badass. His ability to survive ridiculous damage is helped along by his HEV suit, which is equally sturdy against bullets and nuclear radiation alike. It eventually becomes a running joke how frequently he's put into perilous situations because "at least you have the suit, Gordon!" For the most part you don't feel the need to question how the suit does any of this--it's science magic, whatever. But then, there's no denying the one glaring problem that keeps rearing its ugly head: where the heck is the helmet on that thing?
Why does Kratos go hunting for a power he already has in God of War?
Kratos is the best killing machine the gods could have asked for, like a Swiss army knife of death, and he hits max level when he opens Pandora's box and absorbs the god-killer powers contained within. He uses these on Ares, then resolves to kill Zeus. That in mind, he seeks out the key to open Pandora's box and... wait. Hold on a second.
Where do the non-fighting party members go during battle in the Tales series (or any RPG)?
Alright, you know the drill--pick a few characters out of your larger band of heroes and use them to take on your enemies. You can switch out members as you like, and some games spring surprise encounters to make you use every character at least once (yes, even the annoying one), but the formula is pretty well laid out: you get a portion of your party to work with and have use them strategically.
Why do BioShock's Vita Chambers recognize the protagonists when nothing else does?
Rapture is the sort of place mad scientists dream about, a city that thrives on fascinating and ethically dubious technologies. One example is the genetic key, which allows Raptures security systems to recognize the DNA of founder Andrew Ryan and his relatives. Its what keeps the protagonist Jack from being obliterated by guard bots (he and Ryan are third cousins or something, dont worry about it), until things go horribly wrong and someone else takes over, turning the citys technology against him.
With potions and Phoenix Downs, how does anyone die in Final Fantasy?
The fact that anyone dies in a Final Fantasy games is astounding, because potions and Phoenix Downs are the most amazing medicines known to man. Characters roasted alive by dragons or munched by zombie snakes are back to normal with a potion or two, and while Phoenix Downs dont actually revive the dead (its called KO for a reason, people) they'll apparently cure brain damage and internal hemorrhaging. With these miracle cures combined, you should be able to keep casualties during your adventures near zero.
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That's our thoughts on these gaping gaming plot holes, the kind we struggle to figure out long after the credits roll. Still, one gamer's obvious discrepancy is another's clearly defined answer, and you may be able to fashion a better explanation for these than we ever could. How do you explain away these plot holes? What are some other franchise-spanning snags that should have made the list? Tell us in the comments below, and remember that "because the devs said so" is as boring as it is true.
