I myself am 29. And over the past few years ive been finding it harder and harder to become as immersed in a game as I used to. The slightest bit of cheesey dialog can make me feel a bit stupid for playing and put me off. 2011 has not been a good gaming year for me. Not because of the lack of good titles, hell ive still got Alan Wake and Red Dead from last year, but because im just finding it hard to 'get in the game' and stay there.
Past couple of months have been particularly rocky, that is until I replayed Uncharted 2. The first rate dialog, acting, music and atmosphere blew me away, for a second time. This in my opinion is one of the star IP's of the industry just now. The Chapter 'Urban Warfare' on the streets and rooftops of Nepal is one of the most exciting hours in my gaming history. In my opinion I would say Uncharted is pretty adult friendly.
Im enjoying L.A. Noire just now too, that is a proper adult game. I think R* took quite a risk backing a game like this in the 'COD age'. More games like this please ;)
In january I played Splinter Cell Chaos Theory for the 3rd or 4th time. I was wanting something slow that could fill me to the back teeth with atmosphere so I installed it and hooked up my 360 controller. With tensions running high, knife in my hand and Lambert in my ear I remembered just how serious the older Splinter Cell games were, shame its all been dumbed down a bit now :(
So, example of a game I couldn't play... Red Faction Guerrilla. I actually had to put this one off. The story, dialog and actors treated me as is I was stupid, now I could have got passed this. But when I hit the first city/human settlement and seen all its inhabitants walked about with their guns out and cocked constantly I sold it on ebay, that day. This game was definitely 100% aimed at teenagers, shame considering how much the first one blew me away when I was a teenager myself.
Games for adults are out there, you just have to be selective with your titles. Im a massive Assassins Creed fan, I would say overall it has quite an adult story with a little sprinkling of cheese on top, that scene in AC II where Lucys friend (can't remember her name) shows you the Animus 2.0 "Wohhhaa!! The memory correeee!!", I still can't watch that bit, I pull my headphones out every time LOL