Story and gameplay can sometimes be hard to balance, as can realism and fun.In the grand scheme of designing a video game, story is often overlooked. Not only in the sense that a basic plot is often laid down and then paved over by focusing on graphics (instead of gameplay like you might expect), but also too little thought is given to characterization, as well as making sure the whole thing actually makes sense.
Some games obviously don't need detailed story or characters, like... Plants vs Zombies or Peggle, but others do. A good story is essential to allow the game to leave a lasting impression on the player. This can of course be said with any medium you care to name.
When referring to characterization, two things come to mind: 1) the Uncharted series for revolutionising it in an interactive medium, and 2) pretty much every First-Person Shooter ever for not having it. Or enough of it.
It's explanation time.
Let us examine Call of Duty 4, because clearly that isn't done enough. Every marine in the game was basically simple-minded cannon-fodder with no personality or likeability. Not even Griggs, who actually had a role in the story. Captain Price was better, though perhaps I was just drawn in by his protective/authoritative role, groovy accent and stylish moustache. Gaz is another example of a somewhat likeable character in a shooter. Other (big name) shooters aren't much different. Rico from Killzone 2 is a prime example of a terrible character... but let's make like the writers of that game and not give him much thought.
The Uncharted series, Red Dead Redemption and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time come to mind when thinking of game characters that are actually likeable. Nathan Drake, John Marston, and the prince (at least from the first game) are the kind of guys you'd want to have a beer with, and not purely based on the fact that they would glass anyone who insinuated certain things about your mother.
This is because the writers of those games allowed these characters to be explored through clever dialogue and cut-scenes, as well as in-game events and conversations relating to their current predicament, whatever it may be. This is something that was out of place with Half Life 2 and its protagonist being mute. Yet Gordon Freeman remains one of the most well-liked characters in the game world.
Back onto the topic of a game's plot; there are very few video game stories that truly capture the imagination of its audience. Inevitably Bioshock must be brought up here, along with Red Dead Redemption (again), Beyond Good & Evil, as well asEternal Darkness. Anything by Tim Schaffer must also be mentioned. Not just because of the premise of these games, but the way in which the plot unfolds, which is in some ways more important. This ties into my first point; I always enjoy plots that are more character-driven, as opposed to generic grunt #47 being sent into battle by his commander and killing many, many aliens.
At the same time, these games have their place and that's the joy of the medium. Some games are mindless shoot 'em up fun, while others can be, and increasingly are, thought-provoking masterpieces. More of the latter needs to be seen, as I don't believe motion controls are at the point where they can deliver this effectively.
When you really look at the state of games today, you realize that gaming is in its infancy, with motion controls hopefully being akin to... a brief teenage exploration of Gothicism or something. You know, before it comes back down to Earth after learning about all the really weird shit... like whatever the hell is going on in this picture.
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