[Eva]

The common thing I see around the net is that there are people who think that a game which doesn't have a story, or at least a recognisable narrative, the kind you see in movies, doesn't deserves to be called a real game. Now this, I don't agree with... since when did games HAVE to have a story?... Then another thing comes to mind... When did games have to be all about realism or even immersion? Certain games require this kind of thing, yes... but to demand that all games be like this is too much.

I like a variety of games. Some have engaging stories, others have no story at all, some are extremely adult in many different ways, and others are completely childish but charming and clever.

When it comes to games with stories, I also like variety in the ways these stories are being told. For example, the story in Fire Emblem Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn are told in a very traditional way, with text and sprites, like a lot of other oldskool RPGs out there.

Then you have games like Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes and Metroid Prime 3 Corruption. This trilogy has a very interesting way of telling a story which uses information which you scan for in the environment around you as you play the game. It's all raw information, but if you piece it all together yourself, you can figure out what has happened and it creates a story. The way they tell the story is extremely different from a standard narrative because it's making you, the player, figure out what actually happened by giving you pieces of information and having you figure things out for yourself. This, to me, is an extremely unique way of telling the story but is also not how most people want their stories to be told since they expect their videogames to be interactive movies.

Speaking of interactive movies, games like Metal Gear Solid, Halo and Final Fantasy are great examples of the story progressing through the cutscenes and very cinematic moments. These games are extremely popular because they tell there stories in a way that most people are used to already and have already accepted. There's nothing wrong with this kind of story telling, but I'd rather if not all games followed this line of thinking.

Mass Effect did a good job of NOT falling into line with those kinds of games. The whole "choose your own path" thing is great... it's a very old concept, but it's still great... of course no one praises Metroid Prime for its unique storytelling feature because it doesn't fall within their scope of what storytelling is.

That said, I appreciate a game with a good story, but I also appreciate games with no story, or only a basic premise so that we can get down to the game and the gameplay.

A plot is needed for a RPG gaming, but even then, games that are fun and without a deep plot, can be fun, like Disgaea. A plot not needed, even for RPG's, for a game to be fun. If a person desires a deep plot badly, then read a book or play a RPG with a deep plot. Calling a game not a game, because it's lacking a plot is just your own preference. The main point I see in your first paragraph is people making these type of statement are solely basing this upon their own preference. As what they prefer is the final statement on a subject. If I don't find a certain video game a "game", then it's not a game, because I feel it's a not a video game. This mainly due to the fact they don't like the game, then using their own reasons why they don't like the game to state why the game terrible, because that person doesn't like the game. I can pick a hand full of games I don't like, it doesn't make them bad or less of game, it merely means I don't like them. People have trouble separating their preference when a discussion regarding these subjects come up. You might consider a game bad, but doesn't make it a bad game.

Just because I found Final Fantasy VII mediocre, doesn't make Final Fantasy VII a mediocre game. For a more recent example, just because you're not into GTA 4 doesn't mean it's over hype game that's terrible. Just means you're not into the game.

You should know what type of game you're buying. Most adventure games, like Mario Galaxy, have a plot, but you don't buy these games for a plot. You mainly buy to have an adventure and have fun. While buying a RPG, like Fire Emblem, you buy for a continuation of the plot along with fun aspect of playing the tactical RPG.

As I stated, Wii style of gaming doesn't appeal to me at all. I'm not going to state the system isn't a game style, because it's different style of gaming doesn't appeal to me. All it means it doesn't appeal to me. People might be angry Nintendo moving in a different direction, but there's not much you can do about that, it's evolving technology world, you can be bitter about it. But, you don't have to play the system. Just because it's moving in a direction you don't like, doesn't mean it's no longer a game system. Still, people will remain bitter and continue to bash the system. Not much will change and will get worse.