What hides between Shadow and Light?

[graykin]

I guess, when it comes to plot lines and games, it all just depends on the type of game, and your own personal tastes. I personally like BOTH plot-filled games, and plot less games, depending on how well each is done. In a game with a plot, gameplay has its importance, but unless it can't convince me with the plot it'll just be "meh" and I won't play it again probably. Penumbra DOES convince me, and is an excellent game--the gameplay is done well enough to make me enjoy solving the puzzles and navigating the facility, and the plot is done well enough to make me sit at the edge of my seat practically the whole time.

But, like I said, I can enjoy a good plot-less game too. I've always been a fan of Unreal Tournament, despite it just being a straight shootin' game. Why do I like it? Because you get what you pay for--a straight-shootin' game with no plot. If I have a bad day, all I have to do is get a couple rounds of fragging in and I'm happy again. Gameplay is the focus, and that's why I enjoy the game (IMHO)--because it's fun, fast, and frenetic.

That said, I hate games that TRY to have a plot of some kind (but you know, didn't actually take the effort to make one), and end up failing miserably because they didn't focus enough on the gameplay either. "The Suffering" comes to mind.

To summarize everything I've just said: A game that TRIES to have a plot--but really doesn't--sucks. If it actually has a plot, or is completely plot-less, then there's a chance I'll enjoy it. It doesn't necessarily need a plot to be good (IMHO), but if it wants to have a plot, it can't go halfway.