While trying historical does hold some charm, it does not hold the same appeal to me that fictional and fictional stats only do, not even close. That is not to say that I would never try historical, I just have not had nor taken the time to do so up to this point, but I plan to. I do enjoy reading about any and all types, styles, ideas and variations that people report on here in the forums. I do not believe there is only ONE RIGHT WAY TO PLAY. The beauty that is OOTP, and has been pointed out time and again, is that "It's your game, play it your way!"
. This really should be the official game and/or company phrase as it pertains to their way of thinking I believe.
I could go on and on about what I like about the different styles of play that I enjoy and why. I could even go into why I intend to eventually try each and every way to play that is available to me in the game, but that is for another time. I love to learn and discover. For a long time I had no idea what stats only was until I read a post on it then researched it and tried it and found that I really enjoyed it. It is something so different and much more challenging than the base game. I do see people judge it without trying it, and that is a shame. We all love this game we play, why not give historical a chance if you are a modern player. Or try fictional if you play historical. Or for that challenge give stats only a go, you might be surprised. If you try them and any are not for you, at least you gave them a chance and potentially discovered parts of the game you had no idea existed.
Honestly, what do you have to lose?