What make you play a game: Story, Graphics, Gameplay, Music

[eViL bAz]

Which of these parameters make you play a game and enjoy it. http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/dance.gif, well I rather prefer the story in music the gameplay and graphics may sucks but I like the Story must of all-

[Astrolounge]

Graphics are important to me only as far as to make something distinguishable, I really couldn't care less about them.

A good story, with a plot that can be followed, and occasionally be anticipated, with gameplay that is fun or at least works well.
Ease of controller use is a large factor for me as well, often i have forgon a fine game because I don't like the controls, or the game won't even let them be changed for the better.

[eViL bAz]

thats a good point I play Persona 2 and I love it but when i find Persona i really like the story but the controlls and the gameplay was a little tedious thats why I still don't finish it :)

[Zeugma 440]

Well, to give an example, Star Ocean (SNES) is probably one of the best SNES RPGs, graphically speaking, but its lifetime & scenario are poor. The game is still very good, but cannot be compared to more deeply-thought games like Chrono Trigger, for example.

I personally think that graphics, even minimalist, can be "saved" by the storyline and the freedom given to the player (e.g. the Might & Magic series, which were visually average but ahead on their time when it comes to movement & actions freedom).
On top of that, music is a 'plus' that can transform a good game into an excellent game. When music sucks, it can spoil the game as well...

[Kilu]

I like the full package, so to speak :)
I probably prefer tight controls/gameplay over anything. I simply can't play the game if the controls blow my ass out of the window all the time. Secondly probably musics. I simply can't play a game that has awful musics, no matter how good the game is in everything else. Then comes the story, graphics and other junk.

[eViL bAz]

I personally think that graphics, even minimalist, can be "saved" by the storyline and the freedom given to the player (e.g. the Might & Magic series, which were visually average but ahead on their time when it comes to movement & actions freedom).
On top of that, music is a 'plus' that can transform a good game into an excellent game. When music sucks, it can spoil the game as well...
I agree with you cuz if you want to have a really exciting experience with a game, like must of us have with games like Crhono trigger, Suikoden 1 n 2, or Earth Bound, you must enjoy of a good story and Music Imagine CT without the great music of Yasunori Mitsuda, but I also think that the only one game with the story no so deep, like the one we mention, at my opinion and with a good sense of humor was Mario RPG good gameplay, good Music good Graphics and a laughable story that we enjoy a lot, don't you think?http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[jetblue]

The suikoden series has it all for me.
Great complicated story,just like real life.
Great costumes.
Diverse characters. Many races.
And the great soundtrack ties it all together. Some of the best music I ever heard.

There are only 2 games Im exited about for next year. Suikoden 4 and Resident Evil 4.
I already tried the suikoden 4 demo and Im trying to get on e-bay the RE 4 demo. Damn biddings to high. $26 dollars for a demo.
I got the GCM rom but dont know how to use it.

[renshai]

i've got to say story.

i can deal with chunky graphics and stuff, as long as i can still see where i'm going and what's going on. and as for controls, as long as they don't cause me to throw my controller to the ground and stomp on it, it's all good. even music can take a back-seat, as long as it isn't ear-drum breaking. I mean, i can turn the volume off, after all.

but without an intriguing story to keep me coming back, what's the point of playing? Unless the gameplay is good enough to keep me coming back on it's own (a difficult task), without the drive of finding out what happens next in the story i'm likely to just drop the game and head off to do something more engrossing with my time.

[eViL bAz]

Its good to see that still are ppl that like the real esence of a game, the story cuz many of the new players (I say many not all) goes more like "OOOhhHHH did you that amazing graphics it awesome" but at the 4 hours they finish the games and thats so sad for me (FOR ME :D)

[bluedragonx]

In order most important to least important,

Gameplay
Story
Music
Graphics

[eViL bAz]

Well what I c is that almos all the ppl that write in this thread (4 ppl is all ppl http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/lol.gif) guide more for 2 of the factors: Gameplay and story, thats something new for me cuz i Always belived that the story and music would be the most important factors to play a game (well my evil mind thought that all ppl will think like me http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/evilgrin.gif) hehehe

[tanisthalon]

For me it has to be:-
a) Story
b) Character
c) Gameplay
d) Variety
e) [Something that most games have in abundance] Mini-games/quests

I would of added 'Music' but when the above are right I lose myself too much to notice the tunes :).

[eViL bAz]

hehehehe Yep I understand u (FFX-2)

[Ephraim]

Personally I like the story aspect of a game. I've played many a crappy game just to see how the plot unfolds, even if the storyline is crappy. I remember playing a game, i believe it was Legend of Gaia for SNES, it was crap with a stupid story, but it had a story so I completed it. Didn't go back for a second round, though. And multiple storylines are just amazing (usually), like Chrono Trigger & Chrono Cross. Also, there shouldn't be too much time between bits of story. I believe that's one of the things that has made the FF series what it is, great storylines, timed just right (with excellent battle systems in between, and beautiful music, and... well, just about everything :w00t: ).

[Yuffie]

Story
Music
Gameplay
Graphics

for me. :D

If there's no story and it just follows the same old routine of shooting things and not getting anywhere from it I don't really see the point. Then it's nice to have a good bit of emotional music. The graphics don't really bother me but it's nice to have some good scenarios and locations even if the graphics are old and pixelly. :p

[Ephraim]

But then again, it is nice to go around mindlessly killing and blowing stuff up, just to break the monotony.http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/evilgrin.gif

[eViL bAz]

welcome to the club of story luvers and I agree with u 2 so Im waiting for Suikoden 4 (A good game good story good music I recomendit) so Gaia was good one I know the story not was a "Chrono Trigger " but was good to play it all of it, also it has the simplistic way of play like go to egypt then to china and goes to all the continent (I feel Like Mario LOst in World) :( but it was good hehehehehehe

[Ephraim]

I didn't like it at all, but I endured it just to see how it ended. :wonder:

[Yuffie]

I must admit, games like GTA are perfect for when you're really annoyed about something. :rofl:

Except...if you're really annoyed and you play that and the police catch you or your car blows up etc...then it just makes you even more annoyed. :(

Finishing a game is a double edged sword...you're happy because you know how the story ends and you've perservered to the end...but sad because there's nothing left to do. :p

So you play it again and attack all those subquests! :D
Or in my case, actually bother to level up my characters to level 100 (never done that yet, not even with 1, I hate levelling up!!!)

[eViL bAz]

HEHEHEHE I understand you i like it that way, it comes a time when you play Final Fantasy VII when i get a little tired and then i put GTA 3 and !!!DDDEESTTRROOOYYYYY THHEEMM ALLLLLLLLL!!!!!! ALL WWEEAAAPPONN TRRRIICCK AN KILLLL oll those Inocent ppl!!!!!! Thats why Im evil hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehttp://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/evilgrin.gif, and then I calm down and play again the beutiful RPG :D

[FlashFirer]

Game Engine, Graphics and Story are the top 3 things for me. But in cases of games like Final fantasy, story is an important factor.

[eViL bAz]

But for u what kind of game like most? cuz u said in despective mode But in cases of games like Final fantasy, story is an important factor anyway I respect your point of view and like that hehehehehe

[Yuffie]

I like the idea of making my own games...but in an rpg I usually only make the opening village type part then I can't think of a story to put to it or I just can't be bothered. :rofl:

You'd expect making your own game that you'd get just the right blend of those characteristics. Wrong! It just makes it more difficult! :rofl:

[eViL bAz]

Thats funny cuz i had the RPG maker and it was a complete wast cuz I do the first part of the game (it easiest to imagine how to start the game) and when i want to do the other things PPPOOOFFFF!!! everythings ereas it from my brain hehehehe I rahter prefer to play it hehehe

[DR_DIOX]

well, agood stry is always one of the most important things. but it must have a good gameplay too (if i can't control my caracter, the game sux) but i must also get involved by the story, feel the pain that my caracter is feeling, feel the adrenaline, feel like if he (she) dies, i die too.
so far now, only Solid Snake make me feel like i'm part of the game too.
that's why i find souch a good game of metal gear.

also, there must be other things, for example, decent graphics. nobody is asking for an art piece, but it must be friendly to the eye.
and personaly, i like fast and destructive action, so if i have to kill everything that moves, i'll be very happy. (Rockman, Metroid and Quake Rocks)

of course, there's always time for more pacive games, those that make you think, like RE, Sillent Hill. things like that.

"no body blink !
go for broke !
FIGHT !!"

[Yuffie]

It must have a good ending and NOT BE SCARY!!!!!

Having said that, I'm watching Dawn of the Dead later on today. How do I get involved in these sort of things?!

I like adventure, just NOT the DANGER part! :p

[tanisthalon]

Which version of Dawn of the Dead? There is the Romero Original, Romero Directors Cut, Remake Standard and Remake Directors Cut. I have the Romero Directors Cut and the Remake Directors Cut. There are a few scenes extra in the D.C.'s. Really like the Remake, heard they have asked that director to make a true sequel i.e. Dawn of the Dead 2. And roll on the day that Romero releases the 4th Dead film :).

[Kilu]

I liked the remake as well. Not sure if it was d.c. or not though. Also, that Jake Weber guy (played the part of that tv salesman) is one of my all time favourite actors. I also loved the zombie screams :dance:

[Yuffie]

Um...it's the newest one. :p

The cover has a sort of mixed up picture of a little girl's face as if behind different thicknesses of glass.

[eViL bAz]

How is it? its a good game? I never played it.

[Kilu]

It's a movie :dance:

[eViL bAz]

aaaaaaaaaahhh yyeaaahhh i rememver now hjehehehehehe sorry :D

[tanisthalon]

Shame really because it would be one hell of a game. It could be mission based as in securing the Mall and stuff before the Great Escape :).

[eViL bAz]

YEAH I think so it would be a good game, speaking of which I heard something that Silent Hill Movie its true???

[tanisthalon]

There are a few conversions in the making and Silent Hill is one of them.

[eViL bAz]

Silent Hill its a good game with a good story gameplay and so-so music but its cool I love it, and when I hear about the movie I was like http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/bigeyes.gif I hop that comes out

[DR_DIOX]

a silent hill movie...

well. i don't know, but i hope is just a rumor. or something like that. because, every time holliwood makes a video game movie, it sux.

but well, what the hell. it could be interesting.

i also heard about a MGS movie.
but this one would be directed by H kojima him self.
and i hpe THATS IS TRUE.

[eViL bAz]

we need to cross our fingers for both movies come out and too to be good movies

[Kilu]

I have only heard good things about the Silent Hill movie. Don't remember any of it now though :) :D The director that they had planned (?) for it wasn't your regular Hollywood director. So I'm hopeful.

And Silent Hill series has awesome musics dammit:) so-so... :p

[eViL bAz]

hehehe I must say that the Silent Hill music of 100% I think that only 15% of them its good the rest its so-so, about SH movie I also heard good thing like maybe its based somehow in the game and also for metal gear I find that its in planing too

[MizuiroHime]

I buy a game if there's either a pretty girl or a mermaid!I don't like shooting games,basketball games etc.Those are pretty much for boys.I'm sucker for ''cutzie-wutzie''!!!!I LOOOOVE RPG'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!^-^

[FlashFirer]

I like RPGs, and platformers

[Three Storms]

In order:
1. Story
2. gameplay
3. music
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
10. Graphics

I like graphics, but they don't rule my judgment of RPG's at all.

[Astrolounge]

Graphics are not important.
Otherwise nobody would have played the first FF games.

[cool6721]

The storyline and the gameplay. I could care less about graphics because they don't make a game fun.

[eViL bAz]

Graphics are not important.
Otherwise nobody would have played the first FF games.
Exactly and thats why I love RPG cuz dont need to have a Very good graphic engine so they can be enyojable, Im so proud to be an RPGamer.

[tanisthalon]

RPG's are like garlic bread! They are the future dude http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/evil_laugh.gif.

[eViL bAz]

I agreeee!!!! we theeee RPPPGGAAMMEERRSSS will RRUULLEEE THHHEE WOORRLLDD!!!!! ahem... I didnt mean it (damn everyone now know) hehehehe :lol:

[Kilu]

Otherwise nobody would have played the first FF games.
Except that back in the days those graphics were the shit. It's not like NES could pull of much better anyway.

[eViL bAz]

but it if you play it again now with game with good graphics like halo or Final Fantasy X, you will enjoy it even if the NES graphics now are shit, thats what we meant well at leat me.

[tanisthalon]

I guess you're saying each Final Fantasy stands the test of time. And I do agree, because deep down, there is what we want in an RPG: story, character, gameplay etc. Graphics can never hide a bad game but gameplay always shows with or without good graphics and so on :). Admittedly it's nice to have nice graphics as well, but when you get deeply engrossed you never really notice graphical splendour, with the exception of FF Summons, Bahamut Zero in FFVII always has me in awe.

[eViL bAz]

I like the Ultimate Summon what was its name? the 12 Knights of the Round Table? something like that it was awesome lik 24or more hits of 9,999 hp thats a lot http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/eyepopping.gif

[tanisthalon]

Its a quickie and hope you like it, this site you can d/l the clips of the summons http://www.eternal-legend.com/ffvii/summons/

[eViL bAz]

I Love that and I master it too so I defeat Sephirot in no time hehehehe

[Astrolounge]

Yes, eVilBAz is correct in his assumption of what I ment.

PS: The summons have always been damn cool in FF.

[Yuffie]

I think the old graphics made them look funnier in some cases. :p

Like in the new games with ultra realistic graphics you can't have characters actions being quite so random as before, they almost have to be plausable. :amazed:

I mean you don't get characters going nuts with happiness by running and jumping and cartwheeling around so much like you could get away with in the old games. :p

You still understood the character's emotions despite their pixelly little heads. :)

[eViL bAz]

yeah I still remember the good humor of Kefka http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/ff6/kefka2.gif besides his evilness and the funnier of the Suikoden 2 charachters and the chrono trigger FUnnier actionhttp://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/ct/marle.gifhttp://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/ct/tata.gifhttp://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/ct/frog.gifhttp://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/ct/crono.gif ohhhhh myyy goood so many memories and so little graphics hehehe

[tanisthalon]

I prefer SD (Super Deformed) graphics anyways :).

[eViL bAz]

I like FF IX good Graphics music gameplay and story, also mid SD graphics.

[theblackwind]

Katamari Damacy has me convinced that music and gameplay are all I need in this life.

[cool6721]

Ah yes the other thing I forgot. Music. That's a total plus for me in games.

[Onikura]

I think the gameplay because like MGS3 it has great gameplay. Although it is good in all regions but I prefer gameplay.

[eViL bAz]

Ok I Like a good game with good gameplay like MGS3 I Love it when http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/spoiler.gif










Eva and Snake are in the cave and they get real funny and a lot of Explicit Content hehehehehehehe thats an example of good story, gameplay, Music and everything hehehehe

[Kyorus Braveheart]

Well, I could play a game if it has a really good story, even if it has really cheap graphics. Still, games with good music have me next to the person that is playing or trying to ripp it until I can have it. Graphic are a good reason for me BUYING a game (I am a writer/illustrator, so graphics means a lot to me).

[eViL bAz]

Well now we have another opinion youare the first one or maybe the second one that guide too for the graphics hehehe thats good.

[Jalk]

Well, I must say that story is the main reason for me to play a game. Graphics are always a nice plus but I can very easily do without flashy effects and realism ^^. As for the music, it really is an important point once I began to play. It greatly helps to imagine the universe and, if the music is bad, it'd be very difficult for me to enjoy even an excellent video game.

[Yume]

you people may know this "not-from-this-earth"-feeling. Thats what a game should have. Reality isnt special. Theres enough reality outside the door. So a game should be like a dream.
When there's a rpg, for example, which lets say... to 90 percently fits to the person which is playing it... that would be a good game. I personally give a sh** about ratings from game magazines or stuff like that. There cant be an average rating... YOU must like it.. and it must be something equally to the happenings in YOUR dreams. If this points are fullfilled... it'll be a game you cant forget in eternity (amen? lol). Hope you guys understand what I wanna say :)

Greetz, Yume

[Jalk]

Yume : I totally agree with you. A lot of very successful games never attracted me at all whereas games seen as "just all right" or even "total crap" were a great experience to me.
For example, when I bought Grandia II, everybody told me I had been wasting money. It was classical, childish, and so. It was true by the way.
But I enjoyed it a lot. You were right about the dream-like quality a game must have Yume. I was like in a fairy tale, and this was enough to me. That is one of the many examples I have lived through my video game player life. :)

[Yume]

Grandia 2 is an excellent game. Well, there was a laaarge step between 1 and 2. Thats probably why Grandia 2 wasnt able to hit the taste of everyone. But thats how grandia is.. 1 was completly 3D with 2D sprites, as far as I remember, 2 was completly 3D and Grandia Xtreme was cell-shaded as far as I remember (played it only for short).
I agree with you.. There was also a fairy tale feeling for me. btw. millenia is so sexy *whistle* hey, its the truth XD I've enjoyed it from start to end. :D
oh yea... another special point for grandia-series. Landscapes combined with Soundtracks. It's awesome :)

[eViL bAz]

Ok I agree too cuz the magazzines would give a stupid rate (Like Suikoden 4 :P) but If I like and I identify with the game hell the others than dont like it heheheheheheheh, good guys you found anohter criteria in the playing games hehehe

[Maxin]

One could say the same thing about movies somewhat. A lot of movies that are critically acclaimed either don't do anything for me feeling-wise or are boring to me. Sometimes critics are right, but other times, these "masterpieces" really aren't all that great for casual movie goers. I guess video game magazines are more worried about the technical aspects and the hardcore gamer than the casual gamer who just plays games that they either identify with or find fun. Just like movie critics, though, sometimes they are right on the money with their reviews, and other times they are wrong. That's the fun in finding out for yourself!

[eViL bAz]

I think that magazzines worry for hte Graphics-Gameplay-replay value, than the all around game, thats what I see in the Local VG magazines but we the players have the last word, Like Suikoden 3 was hard criticized and was good selling but thats what magazine dont see, and theres anothers examples that are in the vg world

[Jalk]

Something which is also very important to me in a video game (especially a RPG) would be how I feel towards the characters. For example, if you take Star Ocean II, I found very hard to hang on to it at the beginning because I couldn't stand (and still can't ^^) Claude and Rena. But when Celine, Ashton and Opera appeared, I immediately began to appreciate this great game. I think I would call it empathy.

[Kilu]

I trust only one gaming magazines scores. The magazine has been around for atleast 15 years, with mostly the same staff as well, so the reviewers know what's important and stuff. It's quality :)

[eViL bAz]

Ok Kilu but in all your life of VG player, you havent disagree with a magazine with their score about one game you really love it after you play it?, cuz thats very strange.

[Kilu]

Well obviously the magazine I talk about has several reviewers with different opinions and tastes. So I very well can't agree with everyone, it's impossible :) But in the time I have read that one magazine, I have learned which of the reviewers are most objective.

Most of the time people are bias towards something. You are bias towards Suikoden series for example. And simply could not give a fair and objective review to Suikoden 4. I'm bias towards Resident Evil, and would love the new RE4 even if they hadn't changed anything in it. Everyone has preferences.

But quality reviewers (that one magazine has plenty of those) can set their own bias aside and be objective. Even if I don't agree with the reviewer, I know that he/she is right because he/she i snot biased, but I am.

[eViL bAz]

Hey thats not fair I love Resident evil 4 :), and also Resident evil Zero Iam an all around Player hehehe

[Kilu]

Yes, I'm an all-around-player as well, but there is a difference between all-around-player and series fanboy :)

[eViL bAz]

HEHEHEHEHEHEHE and Im a fanboy I admit it But Im a fanboy of resident evil as well :)

[Yuffie]

I like the Resident Evil films, purely because you get all the zombie action and none of the having to do any work. :D

[eViL bAz]

LOL you sure a little lazy player then lol hehehehehe

[Yume]

hmm.. resident evil movie/game. I've played Resident Evil 1, 2, 3.. and have watched both movies. I must say.. everything from resident evil is more ore less succeeded but some parts in the games are the pure horror. Its a differece if you see in a movie how a hunter rips off your head or if you play a character..
Its no big deal for me to watch a horror movie.. but if you play a game and "become one" with the character you play.. and then there comes a hunter around the dark corner, slowly, then faster and faster.. he's jumping. Urgh.. evil. It may caused a trauma in me.. lol. Played the first RE when it came out. I was 12 or something, prolly to early. Well.. okay.. I have a BIG problem with playing resident evil XD but it also depends on my mood. If you listen an entire day soft piano collections and start to play resident evil. Hell.. no way! same for silent hill.. it depends my the mood ;)

Greetz, Yume

[eViL bAz]

hehehe I see so theres another factor the mood, If Im not in the mood of Playing some game maybe I must not enjoy it, I better think carefully to buy Xernosaga 2 hehehe lol

[Grim]

I could care less about graphics... A good story/system is what makes a good game (FF1 is a huge example).. I used to play a MMORPG text game called MajorMUD, it had no graphics yet I was addicted to it, it had a great system and the story was good... however people lost interest and all the good boards seem to have died....

[Yuffie]

LOL you sure a little lazy player then lol hehehehehe
Correction! I am a little lazy everything. :D

Although I prefer to think of it as efficient. :cool:

I'm not particularly bothered by this but I found it amusing that in a review I read was the sentence:

"You can take the time to hack off specific limbs if so inclined!"

Can't remember what it was for, I can think of several games like that now, it was pretty old. :p

[Elhaym van Houten]

Correction! I am a little lazy everything. :D

Although I prefer to think of it as efficient. :cool:

http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/biglaugh.gif you've got a good point of view on it, Yuffie :D

Anyways, I don't care too much about graphics in a game. I also don't care too much about reviews for a game.
An intereseting story is needed for me to make a good game, as well as believable characters I can associate with and relate to, and want to know more about...otherwise, I won't be drawn into their story so easily.
Music is a second big factor - if the soundtrack is good, it triggers the right emotions at the right time, so I feel even more absorbed...
Emotions are very important for me to like a game....and they can be triggered by a lot of aspects of the game other than the music - the way scenes are shown, dialogues, the timing of events and such - but the music still plays the biggest part.
Other than that, the system of the game has to be good. There has to be some challenge, and a lot of motivational aspects, such as mastering this or collecting that, or finding great strategies, or combining moves, or whatever.

[Yuffie]

I like a happy ending, preferably with romance. :D
I don't like it when they go and kill off one of the lovers right at the end of the game, it's not fair!! :p
Like the whole Tidus disappearing thing in FFX, that was so annoying! They were meant to live happily ever after, get married, have 2 children, both girls and have a pet labrador called Splinky! :realmad:

I'm just a softy. :)
I like a good plot when the lovers overcome a challenge or something and come out of it still hopelessly in love. ^_^

Awwwwwww.

[Shodown X]

I guess thats the suspense of it all....Personally the game's gotta have a good story.....no story....no play

[eViL bAz]

Ok good point of views, and about the Happy ending, I was tired of that but when I saw FFX I just was like O.O, !!!he Died!!!!.

[Yuffie]

I'm all for suspence and storyline that goes on for days and days.....as long as it eventually ends happily. :D

[Astrolounge]

I prefer a game where the ending can be horribally sad, or happy depending on how you play. Those are usually great.

[Maxin]

I like short, mindless games that you can just turn on and lose yourself for an hour or so. Seems to be the only thing I can play nowadays since I don't have a lot of time. But when I play longer games, I'd prefer great characterization (you have to love the characters), a great story and a great soundtrack. Graphics don't really matter to me, as long as it doesn't look like poo.

I want more free time to play games. *Sigh* I remember when I had some...

[silverDistortioN]

Like the whole Tidus disappearing thing in FFX, that was so annoying! They were meant to live happily ever after, get married, have 2 children, both girls and have a pet labrador called Splinky! :realmad:GAH!!! i haven't played FFX yet! you spoiled it for me!!! :bawl:

but anyway... i've been meaning to reply to this thread for a while... just haven't mustered up the motivation till now.
well, i think true designer genius is best shown in involved, highly original gameply. a good story is indeed a major plus, but to me, it's something that i hope to expect (as a minimum requirement) for any game they market at $50 a pop. (it's not *too* hard to crank out a good plot, is it?)

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Simple

Interest
Gameplay
Story
Graphics
Sound
Credits....???

[Yuffie]

....oops. ^^;

Did I say that was how it ended...?

I meant they all lived happily ever after, had a cat called Suky, then Yuna went off with a stripping clown called Dave and Tidus became an alcoholic. :D

Oh wait...ruined it again. My bad. ^^;

[eViL bAz]

lol yeah we suppose that you ruined to him hehehehehe

[Ephraim]

I think believable dialog is integral to the continuity. I always make fun of commercials for unbeleivable dialog (and not crazy commercials, but stuff like Saturn's "And that's why I bought a Saturn" commercials), and when cheesiness and that kind of crap worms its way in, it temporarily turns me off. Of course, I still play on to find out the ending!

[Marona]

i pretty much go for the story.if my friends recommend it,i buy it

[kai]

all of the above, i think a game should incorporate all of the listed elements and a few others in order to be enjoyable. . . . . then again each genre need different strong points. you wouln't play a sports game for a good plot line and you wouldn't buy an rpg for its graphics. but personally i prefer rpgs and the story, dialogue, and music will basicaly tell me whether or not i would buy the game or just rent it til completion

[eViL bAz]

well after so much we see that persons prefer story-music over the other things hehehe thats something well this its just here :) but its a good start

[Frogbutt]

story, graphics, and most of all music... i don't know what it is about certain vgm but in some cases it makes the game.

[Seys]

The less clichés there are ... the better is the game.

Nonetheless, i just hate almost every recent rpg ...

I've given up the hope of finding a good scenario ... there might be no one able to compare to the old school magic.

[Yojimbo]

storyline and music all the way, also the bad guys like Sephiroth

[Yuffie]

You know I'm beginning to pick out who could be the evil bad guys of the forums in future. :p

The baby killing and blood sucking could have something to do with it...

[eViL bAz]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? We are the evil guys in the present :P

[Barlon]

storyline and music all the way

Same here, if the game also has good graphics I take that as a bonus.

[Blade Tanaka]

Well the Graphics are a small contribution to my liking of games, Another important thing I find is Camera angles... I HATE it when a perfectly good game is ruined my some of it's bad camera angles... Like in PSO if you get to close to a wall during a fight the camera goes throuhg it and you can't see any of your enimies...

The Charaters I vaule too. A good game ALWAYS has good charaters who you can relate to. The only thing I didn't like about FF8 was how Squall was such a moron all the time just acting like he did't care when he did.

And who could forget the music. Just like In movies a scene can be ruined by music... But at the same time ou have to take into the fact of the creaters style. Any of you who have seen the movie Matropolis know what I'm talking about. During some scenes the music seemed "out of queistion" but after waching some of the extra features you really understand why the music was chosen and it really makes sense...

However I am NOT saying I am a picky gamer... In fact I am most certanly not. It's just that when people ask what I wantin a game I get VERY crucial as to what I like. I have played some of the worlds most hated RPG's and other platformers only to end up liking them and getting yelled at by my brothers for liking them

Really all this Mumbo Jumbo is for is to say most of all I truely enjoy annalizing a video game like a critque to his movies... or maybe not? ^o^

[Nimble]

Story and gameplay are important for me. Good storyline and gameplay that player can understand it.
Graphics is the second that I don't care too much, If it not too bad I can play it too ^^.
Music is the last. If the music in the game is very excellent, but other is bad I can't play it (and that game OST is the best way :p)

[killamomo]

Story, Music Gameplay, Graphics

[Blade Tanaka]

he not much to say huh? I am pretty judgmental but when it comes down to playing I don't mind just about nything... ^o^

[bjp4444]

The most important thing for me is story, followed closely by ending credits presentation and graphical representation of frogs and/or trees.

-bjp

[Cyber_punk]

For me i would have to say that all of them have to blend equally well to create a great gaming experience, though when it comes to graphics i realy think good graphics are when the game resonates the same styling throughout - eg snatch has great graphics,Starflight (1988) has great graphics even though its only 16 bit colour because it has a defined styling that is kept up throughput the game.
Obviously story has to be important, game has to be great to play, sound effects have to be good but nothing exceptional, music ...music has the same concept as graphics, a game using the most basic bitrate of midi can still be brilliant if its style matches the game - made and used in the specific part of the game to helps protract the emotions of whatever scene/moment its used for.

[Vidus]

If the story is bad there's nothing that can make it up. No matter how excellent graphics, music or gameplay are. There have to be some kind of hook that keeps one playing without getting bored. So my list would be..

1.Story
2.everything else

[Geosgaeno]

the only thing that matters to me is first the story and second the music, everything else doesnt really matter unless the graphics are so bad you cant see, but i like good graphics too, although FF7 didnt have the best of graphics but come to think of it wouldnt be the same any other way

[Kilu]

I think my views on this probably haven't changed at all. Lately I have been playing games mostly for just having fun, and when the game is not fun at all (Hitman 1, The Experiment), I just play it through to have the whole story. Sometimes it turns out to be a waste of time (The Experiment) but sometimes not (Hitman 1).

Of course the entire packet still matters to me but it has lately gone to the point where I either quit playing or even resort to cheating when a game has such flaws on area that are impossible to ignore. It's less and less about music though. Music is more about the background for me, if I want the music I'll get the soundtrack. So playing games for music is just not for me.

[Mangachaos]

Well... in my case, it should have at least good graphics, story and not being too linear... so in short... graphics, story, gameplay and variation (some type of sidequest to rest your mind from the mainquest atm)

Some folks goes only for gameplay or graphics... but then they haven´t really seen the beauty of the game´s true nature... :celestial:
Then there´s this "to-have" thing... :wonder:

[pikatsu]

Mmmm, boobs, mostly.

Story is nice, too.

[Mangachaos]

Oops... forgot music... that´s important too... btw.. boobs? LOL!!! :D Good one! >=D

[Charon]

Story, fun, length, difficulty. In that order.

Unless it's a game that requires no story, such as Tetris for example, then story is the core element for me. I need a game that makes me want to continue playing just to find out what's coming next. Naturally this means RPGs are usually my favourite style of game.
Fun is also important. There's a reason GTA: Vice City is a game I will never get bored of... It's just too much damn fun!
Length. I like a game to be long. Size really does matter. Destruction Derby 2 pissed me off so much for being completable in two hours.
Difficulty. What's the point of a game if it doesn't get difficult? I don't want it difficult to the point of uncompletability *cough*RAYMAN*cough* but neither do I want it piss easy. I ain't a child, I need a challenge.

There you go.