Politically Incorrect, Morally Sound?

Lately as I've been playing games, I've noticed a growing trend in things. Games have grown to the point where moral choices have become the key to many of them, oftentimes giving the player different appearances or powers depending on the side they choose. I believe this all originated from either Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic or Fable somewhere along the line,  but somewhere the line between good and evil was drawn in videogames, and has always been tempting the players to cross it.

It  is a very interesting system, especially when games decide to not only make good and evil, but add in shades of gray. It adds depth to the game to have a morally controllable character, and brings up many more possibilities when trying to attach a gamer to their in-game avatar.

As good a system as it is, and as much as they try to add a system of "shades of gray", it often leaves out just what it is I am looking for. What if I don't want my character to be good or evil? What if he's just a mercenary, or a dark hero? Using bad methods to achieve the greater good, or just trying to stay alive? There is also the idea that I want my character to be a villain who stands behind the scenes, making nice with the populace in daylight but having illegal moneymaking deals in the shadows?

A rich drug dealing politician? They are seen as good, but are really evil. A brash, hot headed vigilante willing to do anything for the greater good? Seen as evil, but with good intentions.

Or better yet, the kind of character I've always wanted to be. The cool, collected hero's adviser, who is obviously infinitely more powerful but only willing to help if it involves them outright.

It would obviously be difficult to do, and we might not have the technology for something like that in a singleplayer game, but it would be nice to be able to choose between more than just "good" or "evil". To have a perspective all your own, and to have unexpected consequences to your actions.

Anyway, it's been a while, and I don't actually have a game review for this time around, though I might be reviewing the different New Vegas DLC sometime in the near future.

Until then!