Still that doesn’t mean that developers are trying to imitate that one story when they come up with ideas for their games…
Oh, of course not. But, you can’t help but be influenced by it. Regardless of whether or not you set out to recreate a story, or make a new one, your story will be influenced by what you know, have read, have seen, etc. And even then, there are certain stories that speak to universal human constants, which is why those stories get retold over and over again.
For instance, stories of the coming of a savior. In the case of the Matrix, the similarities to the Bible and Jesus Christ are intentional, but how intentional were those similarities in Harry Potter or Star Wars? Excalibur? Lord of the Rings (one cannot deny the similarities between Frodo bearing the ring and Jesus Christ bearing the cross)? Or a thousand other legends, myths, movies, etc.?
Or, in the case I mentioned above with Spirited Away and Alice in Wonderland… is it any coincidence that similar stories have been told many times over the centuries? The Chronicles of Narnia… Abarat (books by Clive Barker… highly recommended)… the Phantom Tollbooth… and even Harry Potter (again… the fact that it spans over several different types of stories, among other factors, gives reason for its popularity) all explain the frightening experiences a child endures in a way that a child can understand. They are all coming-of-age stories, and coming to accept who they are as people. (I’m working on a story such as this, right now, in my private time)
Even though individuals differ greatly, and cultures differ just as much, there are certain experiences that are invevitably human, that just about all people from all cultures endure/hope for/etc. It is these stories that will be retold for many years to come.
It’s depressing, but Abadd is right on this one. Many things that I would still consider to be original, are just redos of an old concept, even though I might not realize it at first.
Like I said, it’s depressing, but there’s not alot to be done about it. As long as the movie/game/book/whatever in question is retelling the story in an interesting way, and changing it a bit with their own ideas, then it’s all good.
Just wait 10 years or so and youll see my game’s plot…
It shall be original! 
whoa, me never heard of this samurai…but I always like them:P probs not a very europe thing again…doh, Japan gets everything:’(