Is it wrong to dislike a game because of the theme?

I'm just wondering if you think a game's theme can be sound justification for not playing it?
Like, if it's based on a franchise you don't like or the whole look and setting of it is just boring to you?

I've always been one to prefer the more lighthearted, colorful games even back in the 16-bit era when I grew up. Games like Super Metroid were well-made and I played through it a few times. However, the lonely, dark atmosphere and abundance of icky monsters always made me reluctant to re-experience that one in frequent bouts. It simply wasn't cute enough for my tastes.

I find some games just look too dark or take themselves too seriously for me to get into it.

Sometimes it's just because I don't care for the franchises. X-Men Legends and Knights of the Old Republic are good examples, as I am neither an X-Men or Star Wars fan by any means. But they are highly acclaimed.

Saw my post in the McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure thread, huh :p?

In a way it is, and in another way it isn't. It is because one might be missing out on something good, but at the same time, there's just so much to gaming as a whole, especially the more it grows as time goes by, that you really can't live in regret of what you never got around to.

It's not wrong to say you don't like a game because you're not interested in the subject matter. Everyone's got their own personal taste and there's a lot of other great games out there for you to play that you'll get more joy out of.

It might be wrong however if you were to play one of those games as a critic and slag off on it because you don't care for the subject even if the rest of the game is fantastic.

Sometimes it's worth it to get out of your comfort zone but other times certain pieces of media just aren't made to be appreciated by your demographic.

I think it depends really.

Not liking a game that say... features serious racist propaganda (not satire) is a fine reason not to play a game, despite how technically excellent and fun it might be in every gameplay aspect.

Not playing a game like KOTOR just because you aren't a fan of starwars... well, should probably give it a shot unless the type of game also doesn't appeal to you.

TLDR answer:
Possibly, but would depend on the specific beliefs of the person and what about the game you specifically are at odds with.

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Originally Posted by Obviously

It's not wrong to say you don't like a game because you're not interested in the subject matter. Everyone's got their own personal taste and there's a lot of other great games out there for you to play that you'll get more joy out of.

It might be wrong however if you were to play one of those games as a critic and slag off on it because you don't care for the subject even if the rest of the game is fantastic.

Sometimes it's worth it to get out of your comfort zone but other times certain pieces of media just aren't made to be appreciated by your demographic.

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I consider myself eclectic and will experiment with different genres in terms of anything. But there are just some that I am naturally more inclined to enjoy than others.

I can also acknowledge a game as being good in terms of design and mechanics even if the theme or setting bores me.

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Originally Posted by EclecticGroove

Not liking a game that say... features serious racist propaganda (not satire) is a fine reason not to play a game, despite how technically excellent and fun it might be in every gameplay aspect.

Not playing a game like KOTOR just because you aren't a fan of starwars... well, should probably give it a shot unless the type of game also doesn't appeal to you.

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In regards to the first paragraph, what game did you have in mind?

I think KotOR is a well-made game that unfortunately suffers from what most modern games suffer: too much brown and gray. Then again, I am enjoying the Monster Hunter games, so there are always exceptions.

Nothing in specific, although I'm sure there is probably some crap game out there like that somewhere.

I suppose for some people they could be turned off by any number of games that are either too pro or too con religion based on their personal beliefs.

I'm not a big Disney fan but I'm a big fan of Nintendo's Mickey Mouse (Game & Watch).

I only think it's wrong to trash a game because it doesn't fit your preferences, or making up game breaking flaws to justify the ire. There are tons of games that I don't like for the theme, or even the music. Take any Call of Duty game and put it in space or make it Transformers themed and I would probably at least play it. Star Fox 64 is better than Star Fox SFX in every technical way and I can't stand it for the music (and muddy graphics). I dislike Star Fox 64's music so much that I couldn't even get into Star Fox Assault. I honestly think the music made the first game for me, in addition to my love of rail shooters.

Take Star Fox or Galaxy Force or After Burner and replace everything with Teletubbies or Final Fantasy characters and I would not even want to try the game.

I don't think wrong, there's lots of other games to play if you're after a particular genre. I have complete disinterest in Shin Megami Tensei solely on theme. I'm not bothered because there's tons of other RPG series available.

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Originally Posted by sheath

I only think it's wrong to trash a game because it doesn't fit your preferences, or making up game breaking flaws to justify the ire. There are tons of games that I don't like for the theme, or even the music. Take any Call of Duty game and put it in space or make it Transformers themed and I would probably at least play it. Star Fox 64 is better than Star Fox SFX in every technical way and I can't stand it for the music (and muddy graphics). I dislike Star Fox 64's music so much that I couldn't even get into Star Fox Assault. I honestly think the music made the first game for me, in addition to my love of rail shooters.

Take Star Fox or Galaxy Force or After Burner and replace everything with Teletubbies or Final Fantasy characters and I would not even want to try the game.

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I agree with you about music. This was one reason I disliked Guitar Hero so much. I can also relate to not liking a certain entry in a series that was mostly good, simply because it changed from 2D to 3D or vice versa.

no off course not
why would it be wrong ?
different strokes for different people and not everybody has to like what others like

i dont care much for jrpg's because i dont care for endless grinding and the melodramatic story lines

nor do i like the gruitar hero series because its basically simon says with better music and overly expensive controller

and platformers and rts games ? im not good at either of them so i dont like playing them

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Originally Posted by AlecRob

I'm not a big Disney fan but I'm a big fan of Nintendo's Mickey Mouse (Game & Watch).

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I'm not a huge Mickey fan either but he's essentially the prototypical mascot character so he works really well in video games.

"Is it wrong to dislike a certain type of entertainment?"

Hmm......

I didn't used to think this, but I personally think its ok to dislike a game for any reason at all.

Sometimes the genre isn't your thing, sometimes there's aspects of a game's presentation that bug you.
I can't stand the original borderlands because the game's low FOV makes me motion sick, it's not me being a PC elitist, it's me er, being me.

Not liking a game's theme to me is just the same.

I don't play violent games like I used to as a youth. Granted games in the Megadrive era at least had you as a good guy even if you were holding a gun/sword. However people who play the gory games should feel a bit sad about themselves. Try living in my area and you have a real gory world.

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Originally Posted by Modelboard4

I don't play violent games like I used to as a youth. Granted games in the Megadrive era at least had you as a good guy even if you were holding a gun/sword. However people who play the gory games should feel a bit sad about themselves. Try living in my area and you have a real gory world.

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I don't mind violent games but I'm not a 12 year old who's like, "YEAH THAT'S SO AWESOME" anymore.

What we used to freak out about on the Genesis is so tame by today's standards.

At least Mortal Kombat's violence was cartoony back then. Well, at least after the first one.

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Originally Posted by midnightrider

At least Mortal Kombat's violence was cartoony back then. Well, at least after the first one.

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MKII was more brutal then MK1, it wasn't until MK3 that shit became cartoony.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't think of anything in MKII that was more brutal than spine and heart rippings.

the bloody cheap AI

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Originally Posted by midnightrider

Maybe it's just me, but I can't think of anything in MKII that was more brutal than spine and heart rippings.

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Getting sloooooowly impaled on Baraka's blades?

Falling off the Pit II and hitting the floor so hard a bloodsplatter comes from underneath your skull?

Cage ripping your torso in half so you still see the spine sticking out?

Kung Lao slicing you in half and seeing the innards?

Jax ripping both your arms off?

Jax slamming your head so hard you actually see the skull pieces fly into the air?

There's got to be some kind of filter, or you'd just get nothing done. I don't like Disney, so don't play any of their games really. Though I do quite like Aladdin, despite the disappointing ending sequence.

I fricken love me some zelda.
But some of the newer ones not so much.
Cartoony link needed to stay trapped in the cdi disc.
Guess he got loose and made it to the cube and drifted at sea long
Enough to make it to the wiiu.
I don't get it,
If they know oot is one of the best games of all time,
Why don't they stick to what's working best?
Thank god for rom hacks.