I see allot of critics pick apart what makes a game bad but not allot of them talk about what makes a game good. My personal opinion on the subject can be listed in to separate lists essential and non-essential.
essential: every game needs to have at least one of these to be good and two to be great. However if a game fails in one these departments it will be noticed.
1. Fun gameplay: This is a no brainer but one thing people forget is the fun part. Yes some gameplay can be good but if its not fun people will be turned off. However if the gameplay is bad the fun part can save the game entirely. I think this is the pit that many RPGs fall in.
2. Good story: Also essential but this is the element most games and gamers tend to ignore in favor for number 1. But this is something that can save a game it can make gamers care about it and if it's strong gameplay can be crap and few would complain. The Final Fantasy all(or some *cough* VIII *cough*) have deep and complex plots and even Halo has one.
But their is a pitfall that allot of games, including the above mentioned, and especially story based ones tend fall into. Lack of...
3. Presentation AKA Immersion: This is the most neglected but most necessary part of any game. Presentation can save any game by helping immerse the player in it. A well presented game, like anything from Valve who are masters of this, can have a horrid or tired story and/or gameplay but can be hailed as the best game of all time, like Silent Hill 2 or even Half-Life (lets face it poor stories but expertly told ones.)
However if a game has great gameplay and a great story it can still suck if it's poorly presented.
Non-essentials: These are nice additions but cannot solely carry a game like those listed above.
1. Visuals and Audio: Their nice but not needed.
2. Playability: These are things like bugs and stuff if the don't break the game their fine.
3. Innovation: Think about it not every game needs something new to be good.
So there's my opinion. But What do you think makes a game great?
EDIT: for extra non existent points find a game that fits all of this criteria.
essential: every game needs to have at least one of these to be good and two to be great. However if a game fails in one these departments it will be noticed.
1. Fun gameplay: This is a no brainer but one thing people forget is the fun part. Yes some gameplay can be good but if its not fun people will be turned off. However if the gameplay is bad the fun part can save the game entirely. I think this is the pit that many RPGs fall in.
2. Good story: Also essential but this is the element most games and gamers tend to ignore in favor for number 1. But this is something that can save a game it can make gamers care about it and if it's strong gameplay can be crap and few would complain. The Final Fantasy all(or some *cough* VIII *cough*) have deep and complex plots and even Halo has one.
But their is a pitfall that allot of games, including the above mentioned, and especially story based ones tend fall into. Lack of...
3. Presentation AKA Immersion: This is the most neglected but most necessary part of any game. Presentation can save any game by helping immerse the player in it. A well presented game, like anything from Valve who are masters of this, can have a horrid or tired story and/or gameplay but can be hailed as the best game of all time, like Silent Hill 2 or even Half-Life (lets face it poor stories but expertly told ones.)
However if a game has great gameplay and a great story it can still suck if it's poorly presented.
Non-essentials: These are nice additions but cannot solely carry a game like those listed above.
1. Visuals and Audio: Their nice but not needed.
2. Playability: These are things like bugs and stuff if the don't break the game their fine.
3. Innovation: Think about it not every game needs something new to be good.
So there's my opinion. But What do you think makes a game great?
EDIT: for extra non existent points find a game that fits all of this criteria.
