I'm realizing that "story" is not the right word for what I am trying to rate in my reviews. As described in the post of my rating system, I'm trying to measure the degree of investment I have in the world that the game creates. Story can certainly be a big part of this, as can characterization, but so does the overall atmosphere, mode and setting. How much do these environmental factors, outside of game-play, cause me to want to continue to progress through the game? Do I want to see what's coming up next, not because it is going to be a fun challenge, but because I just want to see where the environment of the game is going?
What's got me rethinking this category is my currently playing of Left 4 Dead 2 (yes, I know, I'm rather late to this party). Valve uses such an unconventional way of telling the story of these characters that it's hard to say it is even a story, but the mood, characterization and general atmosphere of the game is just about perfect. There is a deep sense of immersion and an investment in the world that is created.
I know what I'm rating, but I'm having trouble searching for a single word to categorize it: environment, world, atmosphere? - they all seem lacking.
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