I hate it when I encounter characters that are described as "pure evil". It seems to me as an easy way out. Whatever the character is like, I want them to have some purpose behind their actions.

As an example, I really liked setting in the space combat simulator ''Independence War''. It has colony worlds resisting Earth''s rule in a bitter guerilla war. However, this isn''t simple big bad Earth oppressing the weak helpless colonies. While Earth does keep it''s colony worlds in a tight leash, it is also trying to keep the peace and maintain law, order and democracy. Also, the Independence Movement is resorting to terrorism and other dirty tricks in their desperation. What made this game interesting was that for once you played with stronger side and weren''t a "bad guy". (Later, the special edition featured a campaign where you played in the side of the independents) Neither were the opposing faction a "bad guy" - despite the official line, of course. Both sides had valid claims, but at times went to the extremes and were trapped in a vicious cycle. The situation reminded the one in Israel today.

Yes, that wasn''t about characters so I''m drifting a bit off-topic here. I guess all I want to say is I like to see some _purpose_ in the actions various characters and factions take. NPCs who have a purpose and goals and work toward achieving those goals in a logical fashion (to them) seem so much more alive to me.