In case of E33, I’m mostly surprised how much mainstream popularity it gained despite being a timing-based JRPG. Is that not weird? I find that to be a small miracle how popular it got given the pretty niche genre.

(Admittedly I also found the E33 combat system to be rather dreary, but the story was an unquestionable ride.)

Eh, I should expect some downvotes. It is a popular series after all…

The only GTA game I played through fully I did so at a pretty young age, and don’t really remember much to be critical of their mission structure, to be honest. And the early ones didn’t have that rich of a story to begin with.

My complaint is more like a lack of interest in the main gameplay of the series: the roaming around a relatively realistic city being a nuisance to people. It never appealed to me. Even when it’s just crimes, I just kept feeling like I’m doing a job rather than playing a game. I guess open world games set in the modern day world just don’t have any hooks for me… I’m just surprised that this is not a common opinion, clearly! :D

Yep. Played Vice City a lot as it was popular among my peer group when I was starting out. Played San Andreas for at least a dozen hours or so. When friends compelled me to try out GTAV as it came out I couldn’t do it for more than one sitting.

The storyline aspect I should’ve mentioned in my original comment that I understand the appeal of, even though it’s very much not for me. But so much of the game is the sandbox rather than the scripted plot, yet it’s the sandbox that I can’t find any interest in whatsoever.

The funniest thing is that I played through Saints Row 4 in its entirety and enjoyed it a lot. Not because of its cheesy comedy, but simply because stomping around a city destroying alien armies with superpowers was still fun for me. I can’t imagine playing that series before it jumped that shark.

In my first language we still call the chess queen a vizier!

The Grand Theft Auto series, especially GTAV. The multiplayer one I understand, but the rest of them. Not a clue.

Skyrim, and to a much lesser extent, Oblivion.

I do understand the appeal of Expedition 33, I think. I shall leave it out of the list.

I sure love me a surprise loot box when someone I know thoughtfully purchases what’s inside and gifts it to me.