Feel like arguing? Come in

[marurun]

Arguing. We need more arguing. I think all of you are a bunch of wanky snot-lickers, and no one will make me think otherwise! Is that a good start to an argument? Do I need to rethink my approach?

[MrPopo]

"I came in here for an argument!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is abuse."

Win.

[futuramaguy42]

I barely ever care about stories in games. Gameplay is the most important to me. Brothers in Arms Hells Highway has a pretty cool story, but I wouldn't have even noticed unless it didn't let me skip the cutscenes.

[Nanten]

I agree a lot with what flashman said. It really depends on what kind of game you're talking about. Of course Tetris doesn't need a plot; it's a puzzle game. Even if you added a plot (somehow), it would feel very tacked-on and pointless. In Final Fantasy Tactics, the gameplay and plot are excellent. The plot successfully serves to drive the game forward and give you villains to fight, while giving you plenty to think about. That's another type of game entirely, and should not be viewed as another game in which story is "unimportant" or "unnecessary."

The idea that graphics and story are the most important part of a game, is the reason why this generation of gaming is so weak, and lacking anything earth shattering. They're all trying to tell some deep story with their 20 minute cinematics.

In a way, you're right about this. However, I don't think it's so much of a focus on story that's ruining modern gaming. First of all, how much is any given FPS focused on plot? They're much more focused on graphics than the story. Second, I don't think that Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI suffered from trying to convey great stories. The crucial difference in those games is that they don't rely on graphics to fill in gaps in story and gameplay, like modern RPGs and FPSes tend to.

[Reverend]

It depends on the game.

Personally I prefer story and gameplay over graphics. (Unless it looks like crap and ruins everything in the process)

[racketboy]

Story is the most important aspect of any game!
Right?

I believe that is true 100%. A lot of people would say , no graphics is, but to me it is the story. The story contains the characters and objectives. Just think about it.

What makes a game like Monkey Island still popular today? Is it the graphics? Well you can compare it with a game like haze maybe, but which is more popular? Is it gameplay? Compare it with other point and click, they play about the same right? Then what is amazing about MI?

Let us assume, SF4 , has the same gameplay and same graphics. Would it sell as much if it had different characters and called say World Warriors? Just think why people are STILL buying sonic games?

However you look at it, story always wins. It is the only that that ages well in a game, it is the only thing that makes you want to go back and play the game. Plus it is the only unique aspect in a game. FPS is all the same, point and click, strategy. Graphics quality is the same(M64, Banjo kazooie. Killzone , Resistance) . Around the only unique thing in a game is the story.
I know some of you will say stories can be similar, like humans fighting aliens, BUT it is also about what character is fighting the aliens? What type of aliens are they? Where the setting(levels) are taking place?

Of course, it is not the only element to make a good game but it is the MOST important element. Plus this element is the same in other media types, books and movies.

If I only want a story, I'll watch a movie or read a book.
I play games for the gameplay with a splash of eye candy. Stories are bonuses in my eyes.

[Ack]

I feel it comes down to genre. If an RPG has a poor story, I'm not so interested. But I don't need a good story for a fighting game, or a story at all for a puzzle game.

That being said, the greatest game storyline ever was in Bad Dudes.

"Ninjas have kidnapped the President. Are you a bad enough dude to save him?"

[RemyC]

Even in RPGS gameplay is more important than story. A good battle-system will trump a game with a good story any day.
The story in Grandia II is whiney and bland, but the battle-system is ACE, and keeps you going. It sucks that halfway through the game your pretty much godlike and nothing can stop you.

Then you have FFVIII where you have all those stupid cards that give your summonings powers and work as the level up system, and it totally sucks. However, the story is intriguing, the ending sucks though. I wont spoil the ludicrosity (what a word) of the ending.

[MrPopo]

Then you have FFVIII where you have all those stupid cards that give your summonings powers and work as the level up system, and it totally sucks. However, the story is intriguing, the ending sucks though. I wont spoil the ludicrosity (what a word) of the ending.

I had more problems with a certain event midway in the game where the main character completely throws all sense of sanity out the window in favor of the girl.

[Droid party]

Arguing. We need more arguing. I think all of you are a bunch of wanky snot-lickers, and no one will make me think otherwise! Is that a good start to an argument? Do I need to rethink my approach?

RIGHT!! You,me,carpark 5 minutes!