What matters most to you in a game?

[Momiji]

As the title says, what matters most to you in a game? Is it a deep interesting storyline? Is it fantastic gameplay? Is it the quality of the graphics? Or do you like games for their difficulty?

For me, I'd have to say gameplay. The game could have a boring storyline and 2-D graphics (actually, I'd encourage it. I don't really care much for games that focus on graphics.), but if the game is fun, I'm hooked.

[Lionx]

Gameplay, its what keeps you going back again and again. If its not fun to go through the game there is less likelyhood for you to play it again, ie: Xenosaga gameplay, great story, crappy way to do it.

[Rocket Edge]

Gameplay, its what keeps you going back again and again. If its not fun to go through the game there is less likelyhood for you to play it again.
Yep. However the greatest asset to a great computer game to me is its ability to make it nostalgic.

[Bahamut2000X]

While I think every game needs a level of each, it's story hands down followed by game play. If the game is uninteresting and cliche then who cares if it has the best game play if it's story rots your brain to think about.

As for graphics I consider that a dead last if it's even on the list altogether. As long as the graphics don't clash or look messy then who cares if it's polygons or pixels?

[Tavrobel]

Gameplay comes first. Always. Otherwise, it wouldn't be very much of a game, now would it? Difficulty falls under this category; a game has to have balance between its hard and difficult parts. If it's hard, they have to give us the means to beat it, then let us bang our heads while we figure it out.

Story comes second. Graphics is dead last. Shiny objects are not the best objects.

However, I've found that for FFs, plot comes first. Mostly because for every game after FFVI, I've been expecting what is basically a visual novel; interaction for the sake of the plot, not because it provides anything new or revolutionary.

[Rostum]

I believe there needs to be a nice balance of each aspect, including graphics. It's quite sad that most of today's games are sold on graphics alone (and it's even sadder that in some of my lectures, a few other students actually thought graphics were the only thing that mattered in a game).

In my own opinion, I would say gameplay comes first. Then it'll be a mixture between story/character development (depends on the type of game, however) and soundtrack. Without a soundtrack, a lot of games lose their immersive aspects.

On another point. When we talk about the graphical aspect of a game, I am really not a huge fan of hyper-realism, thought it can be impressive at times. I am more of a sucker for really stylised art direction in games, and prefer something that is a bit more quirky.

I would say even the Myst games, although have a huge sense of realism in their art direction, still have a majestic and mysterious feel, which is a huge reason why I love those games (not to mention the soundtracks, puzzles, story lines and world presence).

On another point. For a game to be a game, it needs to have challenging and competitive aspects. This is even true for role playing games, imo. Otherwise you'd rather be watching a movie or reading a book.

Simple answer: Gameplay. :D

[Bolivar]

I don't think there's any set formula for deciding a good game - you either like it or you don't.

For example, I'm a huge RPG fan, but storyline is hardly necessary for a good game. Counter-Strike has absolutely no story whatsoever, yet it's one of my favorite PC games.

The same holds true for gameplay. The battle system in FFIV is actually pretty unoriginal and alot of the time boring, yet it had a great jRPG story for the SNES era.

For a game to be really great it has to have all of the 4 poll choices, including graphics. While graphics alone is never a good way to rate a game other than on aesthetics, it reinforces all other aspects, to drive home story and gameplay in ways that games with lesser graphical focus simply can't. Music I feel works in the same way.

[Markus. D]

A collection of things for sure.

Overall I want it to be polished.

But most of all! I want the gameplay to be fun ;D

[Ashi]

Gameplay/Battle system is what matters to me the most, usually. In some other cases I might be interested in the world or curious about the story (very rare unless its a visual novel type like the Ace Attorney series).

[Vyk]

Gameplay. Depending on the game storyline, character development, and soundtrack. Overall atmosphere. But excellent gameplay can carry a really crappy storyline most of the time. So a lot of that is irrelevant. If the gameplay isn't there, the game isn't there

[Dreddz]

Obviously gameplay. Although Ill make an exception in an RPG game if everything else is done right.

[El Bandito]

Honestly all of those four choices are important (and I'd pick gameplay as the most limited to them), but for me, the most important thing in a game is its replayability.

Take Bioshock. One of the best games I've ever played in all those categories, but I experienced it as much as I could in the 12 or so hours I logged from renting it.

It's the rare game that you find yourself continually playing for months or even years like a Smash or Final Fantasy or GTA that really take the cake.

[Jessweeee♪]

1. Storyline
2. Music
3. Gameplay
4. Replay Value
5. Difficulty
6. Camera Angles and Control

[Loony BoB]

Scorched Earth

Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 1/10
Story: I don't think it has one.

And that's why so many people played Scorched Earth, Tank Wars, and other variations. Remember the monkeys that stood on buildings and threw bananas at each other? Same thing. :p

Graphics and story are a bonus. Of course, an RPG with no story is generally crap, so it can differ from genre to genre.

[JKTrix]

For the majority of games, I rank it as such:
-Gameplay
-Challenge
-Graphics
-Story

While Story is the lowest ranked on my list, if a game's story is exceptional it would allow me to overlook most flaws in gameplay, or challenge, or graphics (provided those aspects don't fail on their own). Like the game Yakuza. Gameplay is pretty clunky, but the graphics are nice and the story is great.

Like some people have said already, RPGs and Visual Novels like Phoenix Wright focus more on telling the story and aren't very concerned with "Fantastic Gameplay". I can generally accept that, though I tend not to play the more traditional RPGs for very long before turning to something else.

[TyphoonThaReapa]

Well, it's a mixture of a lot of different things. But If I was to choose one thing, I probably would would choose Gameplay like most people here. And for most of the same reasons...

[Psychotic]

Gameplay.

I'm obsessed with Halo 3 right now, and have been for months, and I'm sure those of you who have had the misfortune to come into contact with me during those months are more than well aware of that! I don't know what the fuck the story is other than there's some angry aliens or something. I skip all the cutscenes because after watching a few seconds of them they just bore the hell out of me. Hell, I don't even play campaign anymore. The sheer perfection of its multiplayer is just the ultimate in gaming brilliance.

[Old Manus]

People who say good graphics aren't needed in a good game are lying.

[Rianoa]

good story line and good game play lol :tonberry:

[Loony BoB]

People who say good graphics aren't needed in a good game are lying.
Depends on how good the graphics need to be. In some games, they simply aren't required. FFVII is nothing in comparison to today's games, but I've played it from time to time regardless. I play Squarez every now and then, too, even though it's incredibly dated and has graphics little better than Tetris.

However, FPS games are a good example of where graphics do matter, as a lot of the game will rely on graphics. Games such as Myst, too, have visuals held high in importance. But you certainly don't need amazing graphics in games such as Asteroid or Freecell, but people will still play these games for fun.

[Quindiana Jones]

I think they're all important. Though if I had to pick one, I guess it'd be good gameplay. Seconded very closely by storyline (in my experience they usually go hand in hand - car games are an exception), then good graphics. I think good graphics can make a good game great, but sometimes the focus on graphics overtakes the quality of the game, so it becomes rubbish but pretty.

One day I hope for a game that has a fantastic storyline, amazing gameplay, exceptional replay value, and breath-taking graphics.

So far, Halo comes closest, but it still far from perfect. (This isn't counting Final Fantasys - at least give the other games a chance!)

[Spuuky]

What people seem to fail to understand is that there's a massive difference between aesthetically appealing graphics and technologically advanced graphics. Super Mario Brothers 3 is technologically awful, by modern standards. So is Chrono Trigger. But games like this have good graphics, as in they are nice to look at despite the technology. I'm sure you can generate your own list of top-of-the-line graphical games that are, in fact, really ugly and just not visually engaging for whatever reason.

Good graphics are very important; advanced/groundbreaking graphics are not at all.

As for the general question, there is no defining feature which makes games worth playing. It's always a combination of those things.

[Blackheart252]

i personally like games that have an in-depth storyline, but good graphics doesn't hurt

[Rase]

Gameplay, definitely. If I want an interesting story I'll read a great book or watch a engrossing movie. If I want amazing graphics I'll go outside or watch a very well made movie. Difficulty? As long as it's fair and not annoyingly cheap I'm good.

[prologue]

Storyline.

[Xander]

What people seem to fail to understand is that there's a massive difference between aesthetically appealing graphics and technologically advanced graphics. Super Mario Brothers 3 is technologically awful, by modern standards. So is Chrono Trigger. But games like this have good graphics, as in they are nice to look at despite the technology. I'm sure you can generate your own list of top-of-the-line graphical games that are, in fact, really ugly and just not visually engaging for whatever reason.

Good graphics are very important; advanced/groundbreaking graphics are not at all.

As for the general question, there is no defining feature which makes games worth playing. It's always a combination of those things.

This is a very good point, imo.

Gameplay is obviously the most important thing, play game, that's why you buy the game to play it, you buy art to admire it, listen to music to hear good music, ultimately, I think.

But, what matters to me personally as well as that is cuteness of a game, the kind of characters and setting that appeal to me, and style, I really love 2D games, I never get on with 3D ones, These days something I can pick up and play quickly for a bit at a time matters to me, so those are what I look for I suppose in terms of my games!

[Madame Adequate]

How large are the following;

Death toll?
Explosions?
Boobs?

[Araciel]

Gameplay. I was tempted to say story, but if I wanted a good story I'd read a book. Story is important, but secondary.

Graphics are nice, but totally unnecessary to me.

[Blue Harvest]

Gameplay>Graphics>Storyline>Difficulty

[Bakamut]

I think that gameplay definitely comes first. A game could have a great story and great graphics, but if I don't have much fun playing it, I'll play it once and never again. Good gameplay is what makes a game fun the first time round AND second. I think that this and difficulty are similar; a game could have good gameplay but if it's too easy then it'll just get boring. If it's too hard, it'll be too frustrating.

I like a good storyline but it's not essential. In fact, I think some of the best games have mediocre storylines. Take Mario, for instance. The game's based around saving a lame-ass princess from a monster. There isn't much of a story, and what there is is :skull::skull::skull::skull:, but it's a great game. Banjo Kazooie, another one of my favourites - Saving the main character's little sister from a wicked witch. Crappy storyline, great game. I personally think that FFX's storyline is mediocre (compared to other FF's) but the gameplay has me coming back for more.

I don't care much about graphics, although good graphics are a nice accessory.

[Alucard von Elru]

Gameplay. A game generally needs excellent gameplay to be considered worthwhile by me. If its play mechanics are fun and impressive, and I can keep coming back for more, and it doesn't feel like a chore to play, it's at the very least an above average game on this merit alone.

Placing in an important second are things like storyline/storytelling, sound design, visual/artistic design, and the overall atmosphere that these various aspects work to achieve. I consider all of these aspects to be of equal importance. A game's storyline can be interesting, but it can be told in abhorrent ways. A game's storyline can be almost perfect, but horrible voice acting/music placement can drag the overall production down. Visual style is also important. Notice how I use the word "style". It's nice to have a game that is ahead of its time technologically, but in the end it is most often the games with incredible style whose visuals end up aging well. I remember character/environmental designs, and the overall cohesion of the design, for far longer than the buzzwords advertising companies slap on the product.

[KentaRawr!]

Bah, graphics are just for advertisement in most cases. Unless something unique is done that affects how I perceive the game, then it's not too important to me.

It depends on the game for everything else. :p

[The Unknown Guru]

Story, story, story, story, story. I barely give a damn about the gameplay as long as the story is deep, philosophical, long, and epic.

[darkchrono]

Where would many of you rank Xenogears?

A game that has a storyline that pretty much blows 99% of other rpg's away but gameplay that is rather lackluster.

[Ichimonji]

Gameplay. Story isn't important at all in a videogame as long as it's fun. One exception being the Ace Attorney series. But yeah, story is a neat bonus, but gameplay is most important, imo.

[darkchrono]

I feel story is most important.

If a game doesn't have a good story all you're doing is running around with a bunch of stiffs who you couldn't give a hoot or a holler about.


Where as if a game has a good story but poor to average gameplay I feel it is much easier to direct your attention totally to the story than it is to direct your attention totally to the gameplay (if a game has a poor story).

[Rostum]

I feel story is most important.

If a game doesn't have a good story all you're doing is running around with a bunch of stiffs who you couldn't give a hoot or a holler about.


Where as if a game has a good story but poor to average gameplay I feel it is much easier to direct your attention totally to the story than it is to direct your attention totally to the gameplay (if a game has a poor story).

Yeah but video games doesn't just consist of the RPG genre.

(For example, take an RTS, as long as the game play is good no one could give a stuff about the story)

[Skyblade]

I rank story and gameplay as about even. If both of those are tops, the game is awesome. If one of those is bad, the game is bad. A game with a great story and terrible gameplay won't interest me long. Similarly a game with great gameplay and poor story will lose my interest as well. A game mediocre in both departments will be better than one that is awesome in one aspect and pathetic in the other.

Graphics are utterly unimportant. Some of the greatest games ever made have graphics that wouldn't warrant a mention in today's gaming industry.

[darkchrono]

I rank story and gameplay as about even. If both of those are tops, the game is awesome. If one of those is bad, the game is bad. A game with a great story and terrible gameplay won't interest me long. Similarly a game with great gameplay and poor story will lose my interest as well. A game mediocre in both departments will be better than one that is awesome in one aspect and pathetic in the other.

Graphics are utterly unimportant. Some of the greatest games ever made have graphics that wouldn't warrant a mention in today's gaming industry.

Yes but I think you are exagerating things abit. Many of the 'poor graphic' games you are talking about are probably older games (and at the time they were released their graphics were considered decent to good.

If a game released today had the graphics of a ff7 then it would most definitely affect the enjoyment of the game (and it would show a lack of effort on the producers parts by not using some of the resources that they most likely had available to them).

Now before anybody comes back by saying you didn't play ff7 until 2006 (and the graphics still didn't matter to me). I'd just like to add that it is easier to forgive the poor graphics on an older game because you know it is an older game.