Platformers have always been my forté, especially as a kid, but there have been so few good platformers in recent times that I've gravitated away from them into FPSes, and "gateway" shooter-platformers like Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank didn't help. I still don't get many, though, I restrict myself to the cream of the crop, ie Halo, Half-Life, Bioshock and Gears, but avoid "historical" shooters.
I love a good story, so one that grabs me goes down very well. Unfortunately, though, I'm not a huge fan of traditional RPGs, particularly those with turn-based battles, but I'm getting more and more into them. KOTOR and Mass Effect are notable exceptions, and I'm having a bash at Elder Scrolls. Fable, too, they all have something in common: mega customisation. I can really feel that I own the game as I cut my own swathe through the plot. I avoid playing Final Fantasy even though I enjoy watching my younger brother play it.
2D platformers will always have a special place in my heart, being the first games I remember playing (back when I was astonished by the idea of a video-like device that turned a TV screen into a toy. Strangely, I did not associate this with games on computers). Obviously Oddworld features heavily in that story, along with the recent Braid and the upcoming, should a fortunate windfall supply me with a PS3, LittleBigPlanet.
Customisation and shooting combos are also a fave, though the only example I have been able to play is the now-ancient Armored Core 2, which changed my life by helping to establish two very important friendships in my life 6/7 years ago.
Essentially, I like immersion, customisation and control, excellent story that I can actively affect, giant worlds to explore, and if applicable, an engaging cause to which I can apply myself, such as a great evil to overthrow or kingdom to crush. Morality choices are a must (and I'm sure we'd all like to see choices/consequences that have more than one dimension, true good to true evil).
The most awesome bonus are multiplayer options where my character can battle a friend's, or team up in the story. Fable 2 is most promising in this aspect, though I wish our dogs could meet and play.
Whoops, I'm going into essay mode. I'm going to cut it short there.
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