I realized an error so edited my previous comment, and just ended up putting my feelings there if you want to read them.

But yeah totally, if done correctly. And we’re looking backwards from 2024, it’s a relatively recent phenomenon that a dev can turn a rectangle into a character you get attached to. But it was not like that before. Shit, games used to literally be entirely about high score. They might have had a silly little mascot, but it was just a vehicle to get points… Few exceptions of course, and the ones who started breaking the mold like Nintendo. But even still, I love Mario games and can’t wait for Odyssey 2. But I couldn’t give a single shit about the plot, and I never have in any Mario game I’ve ever played. Some of the best games ever.

Dunno if I was making a point just rambling.