I sympathise with cairnswm's point of view, but on the other hand, I can also see how a good story can significantly add to the enjoyment of the game. The trouble is that most stories suck, as the human imagination is quite a limited instrument. This is why I tend to prefer simulations, which are based on true stories, i.e. reality or history. One of the reasons I like WWII games so much, particularly ones which take the simulation aspect seriously, is because WWII is one of the greatest stories in human history. Less focus on narrative, more focus on facts, is part of my recipe for a good game.