well i generalized in my first post, something i said i was mistaken about and mistaken when i did, coming to think about it though the only games that really dont have a story or need one are sports games (including racers). though some racers do succesfuly add a story (NFS underground2, crash karting game).

and by univerise of the game i meant the setting of the game, in killzone that would be helghan, in littlebigplanet that would be our imaginations or in red dead redemption that wild west back in 1910's. i cant comment on journey because i havent played it yet and i refuse to know anything about the game so i dont spoil it forself. and i honestly cant think of a game where the universe is so important and it is succesfuly immersive yet no story is required, could you give an example?

I love a good story, but I'd rather have a fun game with a bad story than a great story with a game that's just no fun to play.

yes the same can be said about games dependant on story, but usually when developers bother with a fine story they sure as hell match it with good gameplay. the same cant really be said about a lot of games with good gameplay. 

and as a user posted in this thread the difference between a good game and legendary one is a great story

Excellent gameplay/bad story (or no story at all) is the obvious choice for me.

Excellent story/bad gameplay can easily be replaced by a good movie or watching someone else play the game on youtube.

Theres many variables in play. Its not a clear cut answer where you just push all those aside.

When I was a kid I could choose to go to the arcades or the cinema. Guess where I went to waste my money.

none. I need good story and good gameplay, if not I dont give a damn about a game.

story comes last to me, I don't even mind if there is no story so I can skip the cut-scenes without missing anything important

Like I mentioned many times bro, I know that there are many permutations and combinations of degrees of story and gameplay. The poll option are there to challenge your value system. This far I think it's worked for a few people.

The narrative in NSMB is a very basic, baseline narrative. It has very little of value. The worlds (which is another important aspect of OP) are nothing to be desired either. Mostly constructed of cliche design they have little to inspire. I'd consider that a poor job in non-gameplay design.

But as much as I consider that bad (and a bit forced, it's there just to be there), an incoherent storyline may make the game just that much more unexpectedly interesting to me, as it defies my expectations and would surprise me. But it wouldn't be intentional by the designers, so it would be an unusual positive side-effect to very poor non-gameplay design. That would be the exception rather than the rule.

Tough ... I've played games with great story and crap gameplay (Blood Omen 2) and games with good gameplay but crap story (RAGE). I'd have to go for the latter. I find myself playing RAGE now and again, but Blood Omen 2 I'll watch the cinemas on Youtube since I don't have to experience the boring gameplay. But both are important though.