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This happens to me so often that I started to belive that I coulnt complete a game but it was just certain games
Far cry 2 ...damn wtf ..then Mirrors edge ,Spiderman web of shadows , most recently Mass effect 2
I get board when the are too many options , or tooo repetitive play
This depends on a couple of factors.
First - are these side-quests and open world done well enough to entertain? Sometimes they are, but often they can be just tacked on. Then there is the kind of gamer you are. Some people prefer a linear experience; an interactive themepark ride of sorts. Those kinds of people usually prefer action orientated games, and a game that can give a quick fix when needed. Then there are people who like to get bogged down with choices, options and freedom. They often have a lot of patience, and a lot of extra free time that they are willing to put into it.
Personally I like side-quests as a break from the narrative when I feel inclined. Often these quests do not necessarily need to be done to finish the story of any game. What is nice is these extra quests and content give people the option to do more if they feel inclined. So instead of removing it to the detriment of all that enjoy them, rather change your frame of mind and not feel so compelled that you MUST do them as well, "I neeeeds me meh Plat / Achievements!!11".
Gaming genres are getting so mixed up these days. The things that made a genre unique are slowly being killed for a quick buck. Game developers / publishers are trying so hard to hit the broadest possible market available, that if one does not fall into the lowest common denominator of preference, you are often left feeling wanting more. Take FFXIII for instance. This game is trying SO, SO hard to appeal to the masses with its action orientated gameplay, and its linear story (the action gamer crowd). So now we have people complaining on both sides, or rather just taking sides.
Final Fantasy, JRPG's, RPG's have always been about abundance of choices. Take that away and you remove a very large element which makes these games popular in the first place with its fan base. Sure you get new fans with these kinds of change and often more revenue, but it is a sad, sad day for people that really enjoyed the genre. Games these days are starting to lack definition: FPS-RPG-Avdenture-Racing-MMO hyribds and such.
Anyways. As a true Final Fantasy, JRPG and most importantly, RPG fan (I own and play mostly RPG's), I find FFXIII shallow, and akin more so to an action game than any real RPG. The game is far from bad, but it makes for a BAD JRPG.
tehNihilist makes a good point, but I do feel that developers have recently started relying on side quests to fill out a game.
If you only play the main arc, then it feels like you rushed the game and it is over before you know it. So personally I would like to some games with a deep main story and side quests that build on it and don't feel like they were tacked on as an afterthought.