Metroid Preview - Downloadable only on the Wii!

[Bodhesatva]

Okay, now that I'm back and I have the rant out of my system, I must point out that this is only my opinion, and if you don't agree, no problem.

Just looking over the games mentioned here, I see stories about vampires and knights with magical swords and, of course, space mercenaries fighting space pirates. It isn't that such stories can't be fun, as they have entertained me: I'm just tired of it. I don't read pulp fantasy/science fiction any more, and I don't play "story driven" games for the same reason.

The stories of games -- perhaps especially games that are lauded -- are very akin to blockbuster action movies: a single hero (in the case of video games, you) shoots or slices or fights his way to victory, beating insurmountable odds. Often, he saves the world in the process. There's nothing wrong with such entertainment, it's just not for me anymore. Again, personally, I find it all rather silly.

I'm still awaiting the first game that's just a simple -- perhaps even subtle -- story about a person who goes through every day life. I've seen a few attempts, most notably the games of Wil Wright and Ian Bogost, both of whom are lambasted for making "boring" games (especially the latter) apparently because they don't involve blowing stuff up, and there is no "winning." Personally, I'd much rather see games go in that direction (I very much appreciate Bogost' games that detail the social and political ramifications of oil use and trading) than in the blockbuster action movie direction, but that's just me. Again, for emphasis, I'm not trying to force anyone to agree with me.