Other than gameplay what matters most to you in a game?

[Sniper Team 4]

Storyline trumps all, even gameplay, in my book. This is my justification for buying Dirge of Cerberus, Suikoden IV, Xenosaga II, F.E.A.R 2 and a few other games that had many issues, but continued the storyline of previous games that I loved. So, storyline all the way.

Buying Dirge for the story? Shirley can't be serious

I am serious, and don't call me Shirley. (R.I.P) I love the world of Final Fantasy VII, and anything that officially expands it, I will take. No matter how...flawed.

 

[Klopy]

If the gameplay is great, Sweet! Then I would pay more attention to more subtle things. The subtle things could ruin it though if everything else isn't in a good balance.

If the music is great, I can let the gameplay slide a LITTLE, because something is distracting me, and I'd probably put it on my Ipod so it would have a longer lasting effect.

If the story is great, I can let the graphics slide. However, a poor medium to get the story by, like poor gameplay or sound effects, could ruin it and make the story bad. Therefore, a good story would make other elements better along with it.

If the graphics are great, whatever, they don't matter that much to me. Hell, graphics used to suck, but I still loved all those old games. Dang new children and their spoiled picky-ness when it comes to games...

.


If gameplay is fine, the next thing I would choose to make amazing would be a combination of Story and Music. If the story is good enough, it doesn't really need music to add to it. If the Music is /amazing/, then I'd be more absorbed in the gameplay whenever present, and the music itself would help pardon the poor storytelling. In conjunction, they would make an epic game.

 

[CrustyOatmeal]

here is a list from top to bottom of what i look for most

-smooth/ good gameplay
-storyline
-immersion
-replayability
-either amazing linear progression or complete sandbox style freedom
-realistic characters/ character development
-choice in gaming (it doesnt have to effect the story arc though)
-soundtrack
-no invisible walls (im ok with realistic barriers though like actual walls or cliffs)

 

[RIOgreatescapist]

Graphics and story. Yes, graphics do matter up to a certain degree.

 

[ilspooner]

Story, immersion, characters and music. In that order.

 

[radioactive lemur]

Story is generally the next most important thing to me. The Mario franchisemanages to pull out fun games with thimble deep storylines, but that is the exception. It's also possible I'm only willing to forgive the lack or interesting story because Mario was such an memorable part of my childhood and I have a flash of childlike excitement every time I hear the iconic music or sound effects.

 

[Towels]

Honestly, Music matters to me more than story. I can't expect every FPS to have as deep of a story as an RPG, but good music makes up for it.

I got into RPGs after playing Final Fantasy 4 because I fondly remembered all the dramatic music.
I remember having multiple saves on Megaman Legends at different bosses so I can jam to the music.

 

[Tennou486]

Definitely story and sound. Sound includes effects, voice acting, music, or anything else that can be heard while playing the game.

 

[Whitenail]

Definitely variety, I mean I could be playing the most functional, gripping, crisp pie-making simulator but it's all for nought if the oven doesn't explode every once in a while.

 

[Merkavar]

i would have to go fun is the most important for me. if i can find something fun because of the graphics, story, charcters etc then ill play it. but just cause a game has really good graphics im not going to play it. same goes for story or characters. they might be really good but if its not fun then no dice.

 

[Death God]

Either the story mode or the ability to play the game over and over again without getting bored with it. Plain and simple.

 

[Steamtech]

Writing. It is still the thing that most flash games rely on, since a good portion o them are essentially cookie-cutter. And when you don't have the free time to sit down and play a really imersive game, one that can make you laugh can easily win out.

 

[Siuki]

Visuals: it has to look nice, clean, crisp and it must have some style. If I can't tell what is what, I'm not wasting my time.

Agreed. Not the same as graphics. Kane and Lynch may look beautiful, but it still manages to look like crap in the end. Games like Kirby's Epic Yarn have the Wii's graphical limitations and can still look great by using a creative art style.

OT: After gameplay, that would be:

1. Story- Can't be an emotional game without an engaging story. Games like Borderlands and Team Fortress 2 bypass this with superb gameplay.

2. Visuals- Just like Sean Devlin says in the quote above, a game needs to let you know what things are and reduce eye strain. I will pass on a game that hurts my eyes to play. Also, I don't want everything to be colored like the "Next-Gen" SFX in Halo: Reach's forge mode.

3. Replayability- If I can't see myself toiling hours upon hours of time into a game, I'd rather rent it. Applies to both multiplayer and singleplayer games. A game should make you want to play it again and again even after the novelty wears off.

The following are in no particular order:

4. Immersiveness- Just like replayability, a great game shouldn't even let you know you're in the game. You're fully immersed in the game, and you don't want to leave the world the developers lovingly crafted.

5. Choices/Freedom- It's probably just personal preference, but I want multiple ways to approach a problem. Let's say a guy's running up to you in Reach's multiplayer and lets loose a few rounds of Assault Rifle and you have the same weapon. Back in the "old days" when you didn't have the choices Reach gives you now, you would have to:

a. Run towards, him, return fire, and punch at just the right moment
b. Run away
c. Toss grenade
d. Die

Assuming you don't want choice d., you were very limited to what you could do. Now, you can sprint away faster than he can chase after you at normal speed, roll to avoid getting shot, armor lock and wait for reinforcements, drop shield and give yourself a breather, active camo when you turn the corner, or jetpack into the sky and rain some hell. In addition to the original 4 choices, you're much more free to engage him the way you want to. You could also have avoided the situation entirely by using Active Camouflage to sneak around him.

On the singleplayer front, Operation: Flashpoint drops you off kilometers from your destination, and you have to pick your path through the area. In other game genres like RPGs, you're given moral choices and multiple ways to find a solution to the problem at hand. Oh no! The local gang has appeared! Local gang uses: intimidate! It's not very effective. Hero uses: persuasion/attack/run away. Local gang is called off/Local gang has fainted/Local gang is tired, and doesn't feel like chasing you. Conflict resolved.

6. Community- I've given up on the recent Call of Duty games for this very reason. The gameplay works, the multiplayer was functional and very satisfying, but the gaming community around the recent Black Ops and Modern Warfares drove me away. I can't put up with 13 year olds who just sit around during the lunch break and only talk about their latest kill in BO/MW2. The first thing I hear when someone even mentions the words "black" and "ops" in the same sentence is: "Did you buy Black Ops yet? Dude, I just got this awesome kill when I..." Because of you, no, I am not buying Call of Duty: Black Ops.

7. Humor-You can't be all dark and gloomy. Try to brighten the days of the people playing the game. They're here mostly to have fun, so give 'em what they want. A couple creative achievement/trophy names couldn't hurt.

Edit: Crap, forgot "Soundtrack." Oh well, I'm tired.

 

[Krantos]

I'd say it depends on the game type.

Sandbox - Atmosphere (see RDR vs JC2)

RPG (um, the non-sandbox kind) - Story/Characters, so... Writing I guess.

Shooter - Pacing

Puzzle/Platformer - context

etc.

 

[General_Potatoes]

Probably storyline. and music. and hopefully the characters are lovable.