Games with Intellectual Content

[Hammerskjold]

...I just don't want it to be sandwitched between cutscenes about nuclear proliferation and global instability.

Well if we're talking specifically about MGS-1 and the MGS series in general, yes it is a common complaint I've often heard. And at some points of the games especially Kojima's last MGS game, I'd even agree with you. The criticism goes like, 'we get it Hideo, you want to make a film. Why not just make the damn film instead of cramming it between my video game?! Too much bla bla bla, not enough BLAM BLAM BLAM!.'

But I have to respectfully disagree with you when you bring up the things that you say broke the 4th wall in MGS-1. I'm not disputing the validity of your enjoyment or lack of it. But to me at least, those things that you say broke the 4th wall, and take away from the game, is the very thing (interactivity) that pushes and defines video games as a distinct medium. We can argue that an off, off broadway avant garde play can do the same thing for less money, or this guy's show.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Gallagher

So I guess if we're going the stickler route, I'll go with electronically interactive. Beyond just pushing Play and Stop and F-Forward. And with no need for rain gear against stray watermelon juice. Though there's always the possibility of Nintendo's virtual Wii Gallagher I guess.

In the longer and wider view though, to sorta repeat what Jester said if I understand it right. Breaking the 4th wall is simply another tool in the box. Plenty of books and movies has used it to varying degrees of success. And to me using it or not using it is not as important as knowing when to do so, and doing it well.

Also. Bioshock 2 is coming soon last I heard. And it addresses the one thing the first did not have. (Unless I missed it, I did only play it a friends house.) Going outside Rapture. As in the ocean. The big sea. The big blue. The wet...uh..waters. BIOSHOCK 2!!111