My argument is basically, if your game is so good and interesting, would it stand alone without combat? Could a different mechanic have stood in its place for a more interesting, novel game?
I have been playing FPS, guns or no guns, for 25 years. I also vehemently seek nuanced, interesting and intelligent game mechanics, and there is certainly many amazing games that fit the bill.
I am well informed, this is just my desire and not a fact or what I think should happen.
At any rate, the comments in defense so far have told me some of the most popular games are not shooters, and then that there are shooters with depth. No dispute there. I probably should have not been so pithy and stated it's combat in general, not shooters.
I also make games in my spare time, so I am at least practising what I preach. I think combat is a crutch for the gaming industry, and I would love to see more mechanics be explored with the budget a typical combat focused game gets. Gimme a AAA first person puzzle explorer ala Obduction, Pacific Drive, Viewfinder. Imagine a Fallout scale narrative exploration game that doesn't require combat to fill in the gameplay.
Cyberpunk is a fantastic story and exploration game, with interludes of stat based combat. I have spent hours just wandering the city and finding the cool hidden stories, but most 90% turn into 5 minute combat crescendos that add nothing to the story, while super obvious mechanics that would match the story go unexplored. That's more or less what annoys me, it's not a big deal I just find it a shame.
Again, I don't exactly care what other people play or do, this is just what I want.