@chenguo: Your basic assumption is still flawed. "Getting a free pass" would mean that the game lacks something that's supposed to be there by default. Which isn't the case with story. Games focus on the interaction. One of the basic definitions for games, i believe, would be "interactive entertainment". When you take the "intenactive" part away, we aren't talking about games anymore and by lessening the interaction, we are lessening the games value as a game. Storywise heavy games would be "less games" than games that focus purely to interaction. Online play in games is popular because of the focus to interaction, whether it is direct or indirect interaction.
I haven't played TOD, so i can't really say was the points deduction from lack of story justified. Besides, there are various ways of telling a story. For example OOT did it extremely well.
There's nothing wrong with a story when it's well told, but it shouldn't be a games main focus, as it is in many games.
Look at it this way:
1. Does the game work without the story?
2. Does the story work without the game?
If "no" to "1", the game fails.
If "yes" to "2" the game fails again.
Ei Kiinasti.
Eikä Japanisti.
Vaan pannaan jalalla koreasti.
Nintendo games sell only on Nintendo system.
