In games with characters, you play as two types of characters:
 

The second one. I wouldn't consider Samus one of them though, you're basing that on Other M i assume?

" The second one. I wouldn't consider Samus one of them though, you're basing that on Other M i assume? "

I dont believe its as simple as that.  Games like Mass Effect would then be considered both as Shepard is written, but also highly customizable personally.  And I wouldnt say that playing a "written" character sacrifices immersion either,  Alan Wake is one of the most immersing games I've played this year, much more so then any Zelda or Mario game.

I don't think Samus belongs under written characters, especially when you have Master Chief, a character who has some dialogue, listed as an avatar.

I'd definitely rather play as a written character. This year, all my favourite games have had one distinguishable main character, even Shepard who is highly customizable still has enough personality to be compelling.

Written characters are more memorable to me.

I prefer games in which I watch the events play out....mostly. In RPG games unless it is well done like ME (I guess, I've never played either) I prefer to make all my own choices. All depends

" An Avatar: Like Mario, Link, Master Chief, Mii, and such. These are characters meant to be your representative in the game, it's what you are supposed to be. It puts you in a position to view what is happening in the game as your own story. This sacrifices depth of story with immersion.
 
A Written Character: Like Solid Snake, Samus, Alan Wake, and such. These characters are not you, but someone in the story, which you guide on his way. It puts you as a cheering spectator, motivating the character to complete the plot. This sacrifices immersion for depth of story. "

My only problem with written characters is when the writer is a complete dumbass.  Mafia 1's writing had the main character making idiotic choices for the sake of having a story at all.  That kind of stuff turns me off games completely.
 
I strongly prefer having some kind of actual story control in a game.  I may prefer the avatar overall when I consider games like Elder Scrolls or GTA/RDR that gives you some control...

" @Willy105 said:

" An Avatar: Like Mario, Link, Master Chief, Mii, and such. These are characters meant to be your representative in the game, it's what you are supposed to be. It puts you in a position to view what is happening in the game as your own story. This sacrifices depth of story with immersion.
 
A Written Character: Like Solid Snake, Samus, Alan Wake, and such. These characters are not you, but someone in the story, which you guide on his way. It puts you as a cheering spectator, motivating the character to complete the plot. This sacrifices immersion for depth of story. "

I think you got those bits mixed up. Meal Gear Solid, Metroid Prime and Alan Wake are far more immersive than any game Mario and Link has appeared in. "

Depends on the developer. If you suck at characterization like Team Ninja or Sonic Team, I'd rather you not try. Know your limitations.

I like to play a written character you can customize.

Immersion is one of those things that I am still puzzled by in games.  I have never, and will never somehow feel like I'm the character I'm playing on the screen.  My brain will constantly be telling me: "hey, those decisions on the screen?  They are works of fiction and will never come up in reality."  And by extension, I'm always somewhat surprised when people try to praise immersion in a game because it just doesn't exist for me.

Written all the way...though MC does actually have a personality and is not merely an avatar for the player.  
At least I think he does. 
Oh god....I just don't know anymore. 

It depends, good game writing can suck me in more so than an avatar. 
But an avatar can instantly make me feel connected to some of the events and characters in the game.  
 
Mass Effect does a good balancing act between the avatar and written character divide. My Shepard didn't look anything like the original but still hit the same written marks meant for me to hit during gameplay. It drew me in and made me feel like I was my Shepard but also felt the story was amazing and kept me driving towards the ending.  

i would have to say "avatar" games. very few games can really pull it off so more often then not "written" characters games end up being better. but games like ico, shadow of the colossus and deamon's souls i fell like my actions in the game are because i choose to do them, not because the game told me to do them.

Written Avatar

EDIT: depends on the character

" @EVO 
 
That's different. Getting involved in the story and what happens next is different than having yourself in the position of the story, and play it out as you see it. For example, in a game like Alan Wake, you talk to your friends about what happened in the story, not on how you traveled from the car to the bridge. In a game like Zelda, you talk about how you finished a dungeon, not on what the giant spider meant for Link's character development.
 
@JoeyRavn   I would argue Mass Effect is more an Avatar game, because although it is written beforehand, you decide which plot point you get and how it plays out, so it would have the same reaction to you as if it was an Avatar game, because you are personally involved in the game, not as a cheering spectator. "

Depends.

Silent protagonists are ass.
 
However, if the result is something terrible, I'd rather have the character not speak at all.

Even if its a pre-determined character, I still like to imagine myself as that person.