Platform style games that tell a story
trapdoor
another world ( out of this world )
flashback
heart of darkness
ico
shadow of the colossus
Platforms style games that do not tell a story
braid
If braid was anywhere near the first list I would be bending over backwards to let it take me roughly in every orifice.
Unfortunately it isn't and it doesn't even make up the shortfall with game play. The problem with attacking the integrity of all other developers is when it comes time to slap your own cock on the table and get the tape measure out.
Also fuck journalists, they are part of the problem.
It's not even Jonathon Blows braid its David Hellmans braid, without the art the game would be awful. Thats the problem and it's also why indie doesn't mean shit, creator owned which is to say anyone that worked on the game still owns their work is the only definition that means anything and as far as I can see braid is not that.
Most developers try hard to do the best they can, very few are in the industry to make money, largely since becoming a developer to make money is an incredibly retarded thing to do.
However making games is expensive, it takes a lot of time/effort/skills/tools and therefore money. Funding this sort of behavior is where the problems arise. I have met many people capable of creating games of wonder, they are of course working hard on sponge bob square pants tie ins. This is the problem with the games industry and it is the fault of the audience.
Creating a good game will kill you, and the better it is, the more soul you put into it, the more money it will lose you and the more the audience will tell you to eat shit and die for the greedy act of just trying to break even. Giving it away for free will also get you hate mail.
Not only is it more socially acceptable to develop a major drug addiction than a game but it also provides far more opportunities for profit.
Some people will like it though, yeah sure, unfortunatly as far as I can see, whatever you do, and I mean anything you do, some people will like it. It's just random noise, any actual response to your creation will be drowned out totally by the sea of morons. This segment of the audience, that "likes it", will also turn on you in an instant.
I don't hate braid, its OK but just not for my tastes. A lot of what Mr blow says isn't that bad and some of it is even correct but I don't perceive him as having the talent or ability to back it up but at least he is trying. He is, as far as I can tell, just a frustrated writer who is good at self promotion.
This is all the standard problem of having to over hype something for 3-4 years to stand even a small chance of not losing money.
I blame the audience and I am right.