What Makes a Good Game?

[7777777777444]

While the big name games (Modern Warfare, Duke Nukem) Seem to ALWAYs have some sort of of apparent "New Concept", these never seem to make a game good. But elsewhere, Indie games, which require almost nothing compaired to big name games, rake in millions, and often offer better experiences!

Escapist Forum Members, Im asking you, what makes a game good? I know many will say grapics, or gameplay, or sound, but im looking for prime parts; does having a linear game play mode make things better, or worse? Does the ability to customize the game appel to you?

Make you voices heard! The devepers out there need to learn how to make good, low-budget games!

 

[Radeonx]

Fun. That is the most important part. It always has been, and it will continue to be the most important part for me. That's really general, but that is all that matters to me.
And indie games are not always better then mainstream games. The difference is that you don't see all of the really shitty indie titles because nobody plays them, where shitty AAA titles get the spotlight and then end up being shit.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

A story, motivation to finish and a plot that isn't seethrough. Give it mechanics that feel natural and an amazing soundtrack and bam.

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

Fun.

Decent length.

Replayable.

A decent story, if it's trying to take itself seriously.

Some sort of challenge.

Some sort of structure.

No online gameplay unless it's really damn good.

 

[thelonewolf266]

My only requirement for a good game is that it is fun if it isn't fun its not a good game end of.

 

[ScoopMeister]

It's difficult to answer, since different things make different games good in different ways, so I'm going to have to go with some of the other guys: It has to be fun.

 

[blackdwarf]

there isn't really one way to make a good game, there are multiple ways. soem are already said, but you can a make a good game becuase its fun to play. you can make a good game by making it having a compeling(is that the word?) story. you can amke a game good by making interresting gameplay. as you see, there are more ways then way, but they have one thing in common. by having one of those aspect you have to put soem work in it. you can not just do shit, no you need to have a plan and a team that works together, if you succeed in that ou can have great games.

 

[Alssadar]

-Enjoyable time, with smooth game play and uniqueness
-Characters that actually show some form of human emotion (Other than rage/anger)
-A little bit of comedy, a ban pun every here and now...
-A plot that goes beyond generic We-Hate-Those-Guys-'Cuz-They're-Evil scenario.
Re-skins of real life material that are carefully hidden to give a new perspective are a plus.
-Something different than usual, new mechanics or a totally new genre
It's supposed to be a different game, the same thing is not another game.
-Challenge, but still able to progress through.
-Lengthy single player, make it worth our time.
For multi-player, make it equally as fun.
-Editor Tools. It's the gamers' game. Let them add on to it.
-A varied soundtrack that allows fear and then victory.

 

[airwolfe591]

Two things for me. As most people have said, Fun and no game-breaking bugs.

 

[Morgan Howe]

"fun"
that is about it and what dictates fun is dependante apon the player
for example i loved oblivian, some people hate it, i like the open enviroments, the large amount of different enemys to kill, and a rather intuitive difficulty system that lets you beat the main story no matter how strong you are, but thats me.
its why game developers aim games at specific demo graphics, like star craft 2 was aimed at south korea, or halo was aimed at frat boys, or minecraft was aimed at nerds.

 

[7777777777444]

"fun"
that is about it and what dictates fun is dependante apon the player
for example i loved oblivian, some people hate it, i like the open enviroments, the large amount of different enemys to kill, and a rather intuitive difficulty system that lets you beat the main story no matter how strong you are, but thats me.
its why game developers aim games at specific demo graphics, like star craft 2 was aimed at south korea, or halo was aimed at frat boys, or minecraft was aimed at nerds.

Wait... im not a Nerd... XD

Good points guys. Mainly games do pretty much relie on how fum they are...

 

[Goldeneye103X2]

A good soundtrack can make the game go miles for me. Music can set a correct tone, cna help tell a story, it can even make colours look different. Music for me is key.

Once you've nailed that, good solid consistent flowing gameplay. Like in Batman Arkham asylum, or Uncharted 2. Not like some occasional moments when fighting in Yakuza 3, and certainly not like cover-shooting in GTAIV.

Finally, a decent story. It's a very simple task, and it shouldn't be so hard. If you can marry the gameplay to the story (ala Shattered memories) then you win extra points. But seriously, just produce an enjoyable story with epic set-pieces. 'll even accept Modern Warfare 2 calibre stories, just give me a bloody story. Thank you.