Do you ever take the time to follow a game's backstories?

A lot of the games out there with high production values also come with extremely deep stories and backstories. Although the main story is the center of attention, many times, if you take the time to look, you may often discover tidbits of lore of whichever universe you may happen to be in.

For example, in Metroid Prime, scanning computer terminals or the like will sometimes give you pirate transmittion messages or other left-behind messages. The same goes for Fallout 3, where a plethora of stories await you in every nook and cranny - be it preserved letters or computer diaries. And for many other RPGs, like Guild Wars etc...

In my case, I never take the time to read these, as I am always more excited to get into the game. The only exception is the codex from Mass Effect - for some reason it fascinates me; I take the time to read all the entries. But maybe that's just what I'm more into.

How about you guys? Do you take the time to follow the backstories and read all the little bits of information scattered throughout the game or do you prefer to keep the reading to a minimum and keep the blasting to a maximum?

I did with Mass Effect. I read the first novel before the game was released, and read the 2nd afterwards. Both had quite an intriguing story and managed to flesh out the universe quite a bit.

*Waits for vandalvideo to come into the thread*

Yes I do. It adds to the immersion and I start caring for the characters. This is in RPGs though, I don't care about stories in other games.

I tend to often especially when it comes to RPG's and any story driven games.

Yes, I love both Halo's and Mass Effect's Universe.

Of course, beings the game has an interesting enough storyline to begin with that is.

Getting into the back story of Heavenly Sword (downloadable anime videos on PSN) made the game one of the best told stories this gen, to me.PoppaGamer

Of course because I want to know about the characters and stuff like why are they their what are they trying to do.

I liked the story in the Metal Gear Solid Universe, MetroidUniverse, alot of different RPGs.

Depends. So far the only backstory I've read was the Silent Hill series.

ALWAYS. I absolutely loved all the Codex Entries and Historically Related Conversations in Mass Effect, they breathed so much life into that universe. And I think that all the scanning and what not was one of the best parts of Metroid Prime.

And nothing dissappoints me more than when you have a game with a somewhat interesting setting with a really bland backstory (Oblivion, Fallout 3, etc.)

If it's in the game yes I do, I feel that's part of the game. But when you have to go to websites to know these backstories then no. I rather experience and find out everything while playing the game.