What makes a great game to you?

[Xannidel]

Just as the title says, what aspects of a game do you enjoy and start to look for in other games?
For me one thing that I love is atmosphere that is also mixed in with music to help set the mood. A nice example is Resident Evil 3; you are walking down a linear corridor and out pops you know who and that music kicks in which creates tension and emotion to the moment.

Edit: This is all opinionated so while saying "everything makes a good game great." I want to hear what makes a game great for YOU.

[Mr.Holmes]

This subject makes me hate my friends, "Dude man, that game's graphics sucked, it wasn't even worth playing cause it looked so bad." I mean yeah sure there is an extent to where I would stop playing it if it was just a slideshow. But for me, it's the way it engages you as a player. Just as an example (I know I keep talking about it, if you have seen my recent posts) Majora's Mask, you really feel for the victims in the game. It's about how the game makes you feel that makes the experience worth the while in my opinion.

[megav365]

A multiplayer option. Really, I love multiplayer waaaay more than what singleplayer has to offer most of the time. Except if we're talking Portal 2, that game was almost too great I teared up at the end.. but I love MP because the experience of being able to play with friends, or strangers, is just really cool. Especially modes like Deathmatch, no objectives, just a big mess of bullet and things dying. Games nowadays need more split-screen, though. Cousin and I can never find one! Anyone have suggestions?

[Ga2sert]

Everything is important. Graphics, story, gameplay, soundtrack etc. But, for me, the story is the most vital part, if the story is not good or not well-constructed, I won't probably play the game. Of course there's some exceptions, if a game has an interesting and different gameplay, I'll give it a try.

[Tanuki]

I think one of the most important things is the soundtrack, without it the game gets sooo boring

[Xannidel]

(06-26-2012 11:52 AM)Mr.Holmes Wrote:  This subject makes me hate my friends, "Dude man, that game's graphics sucked, it wasn't even worth playing cause it looked so bad." I mean yeah sure there is an extent to where I would stop playing it if it was just a slideshow. But for me, it's the way it engages you as a player. Just as an example (I know I keep talking about it, if you have seen my recent posts) Majora's Mask, you really feel for the victims in the game. It's about how the game makes you feel that makes the experience worth the while in my opinion.

I didn't mean to bring up past arguments with your friends

[Nicknclank]

Actually, everything is important, but there is some things I REALLY want for a game that I play: easy controls and a comprehensible story.

For example, I played the game Ghost Recon 2 (An awesome shooter game because it's SO hard ), and at one point, you get to control some robots and vehicles. But here comes the twist: even if you don't touch ANYTHING, the bots move forward, breaking your tactics. Plus, the bot that controls your mini-map always moves away from the position you tried to put it because it keeps going forward when you control it. Lame.

The second thing I need is a good story. Example: Kingdom Hearts. I love the games, but... why is it so hard to understand the story?! You don't know why Sora has the keyblade in the first place, you don't know why Mickey disappeared... and that's only the first game! In the other ones, bunch of random people that knows you but you don't know the hell they are tries to kill you, Roxas goes into a mansion and turns into a sort of demon with 2 keyblades... NYUUUURG!

Although I like the games I mentioned , it would have been more fun if these things were better.

[tokki]

controls/gameplay, everything else is just a bonus to me, though there are few exceptions depending on genre. I dont pay too much attention to the other qualities on the first run, but if the controls are too tedious then I'd have to drop the game early. :v

[God]

Different things that come together to make the game great as a whole makes a great game. Music is something that I think is often overlooked, and I've always been especially impressed by Bethesda's detail to it. Graphics are always nice, though it pisses me off when people don't like a game because "the graphics aren so bad". If you're talking about a game with graphics above that of Dwarf Fortress, I'm fine with them. Story line is obviously important; being able to tell a story well and at the same time leaving enough options in the game so you could play it again in a completely different mannor another time. I also think how unique the game is helps in some respect. You can take a game like Call of Duty and compare it to Metal of Honor, or Battlefield in a heartbeat. The reason you can, is because it's the same basic premise in all those games; shoot people. Then you can take a game like Pikmin, there's absolutely nothing else like it, which is why it stands out so much as it's own game; not just one of a genre.

[pianomaster42]

There are many different things that can come together to make a great game. Story and music are probably the most important to me. After that comes complexity of gameplay. I don't want something with a sheer learning cliff, but I don't want something with no potential, either. I love games where you can eventually go in depth into every little tiny detail (with explanation as to how it works), a perfect example of this being Disgaea.

[Xannidel]

(06-26-2012 12:27 PM)Nicknclank Wrote:  Actually, everything is important, but there is some things I REALLY want for a game that I play: easy controls and a comprehensible story.

For example, I played the game Ghost Recon 2 (An awesome shooter game because it's SO hard ), and at one point, you get to control some robots and vehicles. But here comes the twist: even if you don't touch ANYTHING, the bots move forward, breaking your tactics. Plus, the bot that controls your mini-map always moves away from the position you tried to put it because it keeps going forward when you control it. Lame.

The second thing I need is a good story. Example: Kingdom Hearts. I love the games, but... why is it so hard to understand the story?! You don't know why Sora has the keyblade in the first place, you don't know why Mickey disappeared... and that's only the first game! In the other ones, bunch of random people that knows you but you don't know the hell they are tries to kill you, Roxas goes into a mansion and turns into a sort of demon with 2 keyblades... NYUUUURG!

Although I like the games I mentioned , it would have been more fun if these things were better.

Yeah the Kingdom Hearts series is an odd one to follow. I was hoping that the stand alone games would help explain more about Sora and the origins of the Keyblade but from what I have played, I have not seen that happen yet. At least the game has awesome music and battle moments.

[Sabrina]

There are a lot of factors to what makes a good game, but the game in question needs to be able to hold my/potential player's attention for a long time. Games shouldn't be "beat it once and never touch it again." There should also be a good story or plot to it, or a point to the game. Even Minecraft has a point, it's to build things, or survive (in survival mode). Games are meant to be entertaining, so they should entertain for as long as possible.

[Xannidel]

(06-26-2012 12:40 PM)Sabrina Wrote:  There are a lot of factors to what makes a good game, but the game in question needs to be able to hold my/potential player's attention for a long time. Games shouldn't be "beat it once and never touch it again." There should also be a good story or plot to it, or a point to the game. Even Minecraft has a point, it's to build things, or survive (in survival mode). Games are meant to be entertaining, so they should entertain for as long as possible.

Well what aspects of a game hold your attention?

[Arjahn]

Above all else, I need to be able to sit down and have fun just playing the game for a few hours. I can enjoy a game like Minecraft for far longer than an uber realistic graphic wowza FPS, so in my opinion Minecraft is a far better game. At the end of the day, its a GAME. Have fun with it.

[Wrench Ninja]

To me, a great game is made when many aspects meld into one well-oiled machine. A good story, high replayability, good control scheme (a bad one can take you completely out of the gaming experience.) And throw some curveballs in there...get inovative! If it isn't an open-ended game, I don't want to do the same thing over and over...and if I have to grind, make it interesting at least!

Good graphics/sound/music do contribute, but they are just icing on the cake. While I do enjoy the fact that some games look and sound good, it doesn't make or break a game.

I'm glad that Minecraft is being used as an argument against "good graphics=good gaming". I've played many a game that looked good, but ultimately were broken games.

Make it work, then make it look good.

Me? I'm a completionist, so I fancy some unlockables...and when Xbox360 introduced Achievements...let's just say I'll be busy for a while.