*Both Gameplay & Story Games Are Great

[Veknoid_Outcast]

I understand where you're coming from, wanting to give many different genres and philosophies the benefit of the doubt. Great games can emerge from almost anywhere, I agree.

But I do think the OP is oversimplifying things a bit. Sure, cinematic games heavy on story can be great, but games anchored in interesting mechanics, rules, and gameplay scenarios are much more likely to be great. All games have a chance for greatness but some, by virtue of their design, have a much better chance.

In short, I think it boils down to this, as others have said: a great-looking game with an amazing story and poor gameplay is, ultimately, a poor game; an ugly game with no story and great gameplay is, in the end, still a great game.