Well - it's certainly helpful, if the game is 'good', however an individual defines that. For me, it is more how to play a game. You can 'beat' any game, all games are designed towards an end in their story line. But on the way to that, you can level as fast as possible, make your character as mighty as possible (respectively as allowed by the game), or you can enjoy the journey, by NOT optimizing, by NOT using everything the game potentially provides, by forming your character as it suits your imagination, not the game designer's.

Gameplay is playing the game,
Gameplay is hunting game. (Sometimes I like dual meanings in English words <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> )

In times of crisis it is of the utmost importance not to lose your head (Marie Antoinette)