I prefer strategy games with better pacing where you can walk around and explore and talk to people between battles, and can walk from town to town rather than pick a dot on a map! I should probably stop beating this dead horse xD

The "Shining" games do exist in the same universe, but usually 10 - 100 years in between each, which is interesting. They also take place on vastly different parts of the world. Most games that take place on the same world are not too far apart. It makes me feel like the developers didn't have much vision when originally creating the world. It's like one large continent takes up most of the planet and sprinkled with some islands. And then I have to wonder where a sequel could take place that isn't related? So they have to be thousands of years apart, or actually directly related for me to feel comfortable. The Valkyria Chronicles games are a good example of a series that makes me feel a bit squeamish and doubtful regarding the plot and setting. They keep reusing the same thing over and over because of it, and that makes me sad. The writers kinda wrote themselves into a corner in that regard

So I guess the only ones I don't like are in the same world/universe/timeframe that make me feel weird. The ones with no relation, super long distance relation, or are direct sequels are fine. I never really give it another thought unless I know a direct sequel wasn't originally planned. Then I'm a little weirded out as well >.>