What makes a good video game?

[andrevus]

In my opinion "Graphics" are NOT everything.Havent we learned that already from 1990's so called "Bit Wars" ? IMO decent graphics are ok but to make a TRULY good game you need great music, a good storyline (at least), decent character development and the most important high replayability factor to keep people replaying the game and make it worthwhile.For example the best games these days have multiple ending which adds to the replay value since most people who play them want to find out what else can happen in the end.And this doesn't only apply to one specific genre im talking about games in general (yea im a hardcore gamer [too much time ">_>])
But if its about genre my favorites are :
RPG : Elder Scrolls series , Pokémon series
Shootemup : Touhou series, Starscape
RTS : Warcraft, Command & Conquer , Stronghold series
Simulation : X 2 The Threat , X 3 Reunion , StarFox series

Most of these games have these factors (i can't even count how many times i replayed Starfox 64 and Assault)

[Lazo]

Huge enemies

Mountains of tanks

[Swift]

Most of my gaming now-a-days is on my computer, and while I have a nice video card, my processor can't keep up with a lot of games, so I have to deal with not being able to see the full potential of a lot of games I buy. I personally feel most people won't buy a game based on graphics, but it'll defintely be a nice plus to any game.

Here's what I think a good game requires:
- Replay value
- Camera control (The camera should NEVER be frustrating to control. And if you can't control it, then the system that does still shouldn't make it frustrating.)
- Fun mechanics
- Custom key bindings (Often times I have to readjust my key binds for other programs I have running in the background so they don't interfere with the game I'm playing. Like Ventrilo. I don't normally change the setup for console games though, so this is mostly for computer games.)

Game music doesn't appeal to me because for most games, I mute the music and just play my own. I usually still play with sound effects though, it can be helpful in a lot of games and I enjoy hearing my own footsteps or attacks. I find it irritating if the music is a crucial part of the game (like changing music depending on what's happening that you need to listen for), I'd rather just listen to my own playlist.

While I said I don't mind graphics, I DO mind if it's running smoothly or not. I'd rather take low-quality graphics with no lag than awesome graphics that cause lag. This is especially since I play mostly MMORPGs (Aion atm ). In any PvP game, video lag is going to cost you.

MMORPGs have a lot of replay value since you can play through multiple classes and do tons of quests (depending on what game you're playing). While Aion is very lacking in quests, World of Warcraft had tons and you could level every class and (at least for levels 1-40) never do the same quest twice.

[andrevus]

And yeah I know... graphics are NOT everything... but if you are thinking that I am implying that graphics are everything, you misinterpreted me

I never said anything that implies you saying the opposite of what i said.I just made a simple statement of my opinion

[Rainbow Yoshi]

I don't really play video games much anymore, so I guess you could call me a "casual gamer" now. So, coming from a "casual gamer," I like games that have a bunch of side quests you can do. I loved Majora's Mask because it had a lot of things you could do when you didn't want to jump into the next dungeon. It had all those masks, the pieces of hearts, that notebook thing the Bombers gave you (can't remember exactly what it's called), and the little fairies you had to collect to form the Great Fairy. The Zelda games have a lot of side quests, and I think that's why I liked them so much.

I like a good, developing story as well. I liked Super Paper Mario's story a lot. Once again, the Zelda games have great stories too. Mario games don't have much of a story, but I still love them too. So I guess story isn't totally necessary, but it is nice.

Also, graphics are the most important thing in a game, a game that has bad graphics isn't worth playing, and... no, just kidding. ^^

[Samusfan90]

I'm myself a retro gamer, so graphics don't really matter to me. What matters though, is the music, it really builds the mood for me. Not quality though, it doesn't need to be orchestrated to sound good, for example DKC2 has awesome sound track, even it's on SNES!

Another thing is, if the game gets me concentrated enough or feels like I'm really there doing it. Gradius gets me concentrated enough so I forget everything else around me, which I like, and Descent gets me concentrated so it feels like I'm really flying the machine! The difficulty needs to be hard enough, but not unfair, and gameplay and controls need to be smooth.

I can't come up with much else right now... Those things are pretty important for me in a game, so in my opinion, they make a good game.

[Midnight]

In my personal opinion, graphics ain't no thang but a chicken wang. Some of my favorite games have the crappiest graphics of all time. Even though it's sort of teetered between good and bad graphics, Pokemon will nevereverever get old for me. Cute little critters, an ongoing storyline, plenty of quests, hot guys, good personality development, and way more. That sounds like a good game to me!

Also, The Wind Waker=BEAST.

[Shoe]

Mar 28, 2010 14:47:58 GMT -5 Midnight said:

Also, The Wind Waker=BEAST.

Agreed!

Oh, customization (character, items, etc.) is always great, too. I wish there was more of it.

[Teal]

It needs to not have the "one-hit death syndrome" which happens regardless of your status and from the littlest things. Alex Kidd series, Amagon for NES, Contra. It needs to have some kind of item or vehicle that lets you take another hit at least. In the Metal Slug series you could control vehicles that take 3 hits before breaking and in Ghosts & Goblins at least you had armor that takes one hit for you. In Super Mario Bros when you get a mushroom you got yourself an extra hit. I just hate a game where your character outright dies from being attacked by some small bird. It makes me think...why is he the hero then if he can't handle being touched?

Hero: "I'm the chosen one who will save the world!"
Enemy: -poke poke-
Hero: -Dies-