I think...Tell me if you've had a similar change...but I think I'm maturing.

[Zantos]

It depends on what I'm going in for. If it's a story based game I'll pay attention to the story, like with Dragon Age Origins or Mass Effect. I wouldn't want to play either of those titles just for the combat. If it's more violence and set pieces then I won't care so much about dialogue as long as they make sure a minimum of 80% of what I see on screen explodes at some point or another. God bless Gears and it's exploding enemies.

 

[Naeras]

I do like a good story, but it is utterly shameful to think that is the only thing that can make a game good. In an industry where interactivity is the biggest selling point, where has all of the best interactivity gone!?

Having a good story that the interactivity itself adds to instead of subtracting from can make a game great, as long as the gameplay is actually functional. Bioshock is a great example of a game that would be rather dull if it wasn't for the story, and a way of storytelling that in no way would be possible in another medium.

 

[Wolfram23]

Hmm. I play different games for different reasons, but I definitely appreciate good stories more and more. I suppose that might be because I grew up playing games like Rock N Roll Racing, Mario (duh), Mario Kart, TMNT, Robocop, etc. Then on N64 I started playing slightly "deeper" games are realized how much more interesting a game is when you're really into the story too.

Gameplay is still crucial, but I can barely play mindless games any more, except the occasional racing game or a bit of online FPS - both of which I get bored of fairly quickly.

I still love FPS games, which is probably why Skyrim and Fallout 3/NV are among my favorites. Great gameplay, great stories, and it's all in first person
I also really loved Metro 2033, and a little less so but still really really enjoyed STALKER: Call of Pripyat. Bioshock 1 and 2 were of course excellent. Listened to every single audio tape I could find. I even quite liked Deadspace, and learning the fate of the Ishimura as I progressed. Deadspace 2 wasn't near as good in story, but still fun at least.

Also, just throwing this out there - anybody else wish there could be a new Myth? That was by far one of the best and most challenging RTS games I've ever played, and it even had a tangible story. Starcraft would be runner up for me, loved the original... not so much SC2.