The general form of an RPG limits the amount of different tales they can tell as well. When you break them right down, they can only really start and end in the same general area as each other. Start off as a nobody, become a good person with lots of friends, kill a massive evil boss. Twists are added here and there and the worlds can be different, but they’re really painted into the corner somewhat by the medium. I have a serious “more input” issue at the moment so that’s probably what it comes down to.

Oblivion and Fallout 3 – whole different story! All kinds of awesome!

IMO there is a reason why the story in a book feels like it’s less of a waste of time. In a novel you’re experiencing the story exactly as the author intended. Which means the author is much more empowered to affect your emotions wholly.

Where, in a game, you’re controlling the story to an extent. So the story writers are limited. They can only control the start, middle and end…mainly. While adding stuff in between.

I typically feel like I’ve wasted way too much time when I finish most RPG’s, but then I’ve been getting back into reading lately and probably spending just as much time on them. Which is worse, following the story in the book or living out the story in the game? Why do I feel like the game is a waste and the books aren’t? Probably just social programming.