Ludonarrative resonance. It's fun to see the critical/theory sphere develop alongside the medium. We sometimes forget just how young videos games are. Compared to film, they're completely in their infancy, and narrative film isn't even 100 years old yet.
I can't think of many other games where the mechanics themselves reinforce the story. Papers, Please does it pretty well.
I can't think of many other games where the mechanics themselves reinforce the story. Papers, Please does it pretty well.