They aren't "needed." It's kind of like good graphics.
For me, it all depends on what the game is trying to accomplish. I call "video games" these days interactive entertainment. It's a bit more encompassing.
I tend to gravitate toward jRPGs and games like Uncharted, which are story-intensive. But I do like platformers like Mario that don't have too much story. Zelda is fairly simplistic also.
Games that completely revolve around online play just don't do it for me - aka, 95% of FPS's this gen.
"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY COUNTRY." --Hermann Goering, leading Nazi party member, at the Nuremberg War Crime Trials
Conservatives: Pushing for a small enough government to be a guest in your living room, or even better - your uterus.
Essay Pro