Take a game like the Last of Us 2. It is a technical marvel that many including myself hating the story. After reading dozens of reviews, I cannot think of one that said the Game was FUN.
I didn’t like the story but I was compelled to play. OP in a way you’ve caught me out. I found TLOU fun because it had okay gameplay, and because it had a story then ended in a place that made me feel good inside.
TLOU2 actually helped me realize that NO games don’t actually have to be about fun for me. I can get why many are turned off by it but I still think it is good and was a showcase of story and graphics. So I would say arresting is a reason I played that game. I might go back and play it to just try some mechanics or to collect things but the story is too painful to me to go in like I originally did and just play it
the game drew me in, it made me hate a character, it made me say to myself, don’t do it, it’s not worth it. It made me broken and yell it’s not fair; this character doesn’t get what they deserve. Yet I found it compelling and had to keep playing.
two classic game franchises I’ve always loved id Software games and Mario games. With id games I would play for the graphics and the adrenaline boost and immersion. With Mario games I would play for the graphics, the world Exploration, and the pure fun.
Recently I tried to replay Mario Odyssey because I never beat it. I made it to
and was moving my wife and myself and so instead of rush I felt like I wanted to just slow play it to savor it (it’s a Mario game after all). So with Covid, I restarted because I wanted to just experience a full Mario game like it was Christmas and I was at my childhood home in my parents basement again. I started a new save and I found myself not that compelled to play. I’ll still likely do it but I just couldn’t shake the feeling that the fun wasn’t enough. A weird feeling. (Note this was before TLOU2 and no, TLOU2 hasn’t broken my love of games at all.)
Fun is important, but Hellblade made me realize that I could enjoy a game primarily focused on being an experience, as well.
It just really depends on what the creator wants to do, and what you’re interested. It’s great to see gaming diversifying in this manner.
this (along with many comments) are a good representation of what I’m talking about. Games as a medium is weird. Gambling, a toy, an idle time sink, competition, an engrossing story. (Candy crush, animal crossing, Tetris, street fighter II, TLOU). The medium of video games is more varied than a movie. Maybe more like books (coloring, pop up, crossword, sports nonfiction, good story).