Poll: What makes the Fantasy?

[OMGMOO]

From Final Fantasy to Kingdom Hearts to any number of other games involving the element of fantasy (usually RPG's), I have this question to ask of you, fellow escapists: What really pushes an average fantasy title into the realm of Fantastically AWESOME?

For me the setting is the most important factor. I love being immersed in ingame worlds that look and feel absolutely amazing. FF IX is one of my favourite games for this very reason.

 

[Explosm]

Well for me. If a fantasy game doesnt have magic. Its not fantasy.

But more or less the sotry, you have to be captivated by the story to feel involved in the fantasy or else it just feels bland and you start picking at its flaws.

 

[DividedUnity]

All the stuff that looks beautiful or amazing but in reality would fall apart. Like the magnificent buildings and vehicles in fantasy games as well as really extravagant monsters. Thats what makes the fantasy for me.

 

[RollingDigits]

Anything that is fake or not real is a type of fantasy. It's not generic Tolkienesque fantasy, but it's fantasy. In reference to the game, what's important is that it has solid mechanics for everything it tries to do. So, none of the above.

 

[Rewold]

Although I'm a story fanatic I don't think story is enough to create fantasy. The setting is a big part of the feeling.

 

[aPod]

The setting, and atmosphere are what draw you in and make that world come to life. Truly makes it a fantasy. The story makes the world interesting and the characters breath life into it while the style makes the world unique.

 

[DarkHourPrince]

It all has to blend together to make for the right fantasy. FF IX did it best in my opinion, it had the castles and dragons, little village towns versus the huge steampunk cities for the setting, the characters were all a bit off-the-wall in design which if they all looked normal would not have worked for a fantasy setting. The story involved summons and crystals and whatnot (with a little cloning thrown in there) so that helped to tie in with the theme, it just makes the player honestly feel like their playing a fantasy right down to the soundtrack which sums all the locations/moods up beautifully.

 

[NeonZombie]

I agree, I'm playing through Final fantasy 6 at the moment and the post apocalyptic setting was really intresting. The steam punk style of the world makes it all the more engaging and exciting.

 

[Gladion]

I have to agree with the majority here... it is the setting, the rest does not specifically make or break a story in a fantasy world but in any.
I'm watching the Ghost in the Shell series a second time now and I'm still amazed at how detailled they drew the futuristic world. Many times it's not in your face, too, but only said as a sidenote, e.g. somebody mentioning a study path called "information ethics" or the government trying to enforce a law that is about interception of perceptions. Small things like these tell you a lot about this fantasy world in particular and really get you immersed.

 

[DSK-]

I would have to say pretty much all of the points you have in your poll. The setting/style can be so fantastical that nothing of the likes has ever been seen before or traditional fantasy a la LOTR. The characters help the believability of the setting and story - and also helps enforce the story that gels everything together.

 

[Meggiepants]

The story and the architecture of the cites.

The story has to be good enough to feel like a realistic place, even with the fantastical elements.

And the architecture of the cities plays a big part of how the world will work for me. The more fanciful the better.

 

[Manji187]

Synergy...when I experience the whole as something more than the sum of its parts. But to achieve such a transcending fusion...every part must be made with passion. It is then that immersion is particularly strong. For me, Vagrant Story achieved this level of greatness.

 

[Loop Stricken]

I see no"The Chocobos" option. That's the one that gets my vote.

Oh, and the magic. And the constant world-ending.