Poll: What matters most in a video game?

[Sarmos]

I don't see how anyone can "not" choose gameplay. Story and graphics are also important I guess, but if the most unplayable game in the world had a decent story and graphics engine, would you still play it?

For example. Way back when I had my original Xbox, I purchased a little game called dreamfall: The longest Journey. classic example of kick ass awesome story, but horrid, horrid, HORRID, gameplay. Me personally I love the game. I still play it every now and then. Why? Because it's an awesome story. I play video games like I read books. go to the library, pick up a good book I've read a thousand times but still enjoy reading.

 

[AMMO Kid]

Great games have all three.

 

[The Night Shade]

The gameplay,the story it needs to have a little mistery or twist at the end and visuals are really not to important

 

[MinishArcticFox]

I think genere is an important factor here. For example I didn't buy Turning Point Fall or Liberty because the demo was awful even though it had a cool story. But an RPG can't really be carried just by gameplay like a shoot (MW2).

 

[draven198]

Gameplay,if i cant kill something it sucks.It doesnt matter what it is it could be a kitten as long as i get to kill it.

 

[Druyn]

Gameplay First, then Story, then graphics.

I want the game to be enetertaining, Im not going to play a boring game just because the story is good. If I just wanted a good story, Id go to the movies or read a fucking book. I play games to be entertained. The graphics are just icing on the cake. Not really that necessary, but really, really nice to have, and should at leats be up to date with the times.

 

[CowboyfromHell666]

Gameplay. If I don't enjoy playing it, then I won't like it.
Then story, because if there isn't a fantastic story to draw me in, it might water the experience(a game that I can name that says FUCK YOU to that theroy is Painkiller. But I enjoyed that game)
Graphics come last. They matter, but not as much as gameplay or story. But the graphics can't be utter shit either.

 

[Enigma6667]

I don't see how anyone can "not" choose gameplay. Story and graphics are also important I guess, but if the most unplayable game in the world had a decent story and graphics engine, would you still play it?

For example. Way back when I had my original Xbox, I purchased a little game called dreamfall: The longest Journey. classic example of kick ass awesome story, but horrid, horrid, HORRID, gameplay. Me personally I love the game. I still play it every now and then. Why? Because it's an awesome story. I play video games like I read books. go to the library, pick up a good book I've read a thousand times but still enjoy reading.

Okay, I can kinda see your point, but for me, personally, if a game has bad gameplay and a good story, I would just go through it once, and never play again unless it's choice related like Mass Effect in which the story changes depending on your actions. And the gameplay would be so frustrating in certain games, that I'd rather just read a book, watch a movie, or just watch the cutscenes on YouTube. I play games for fun, and fun usually comes from gameplay. But I can kinda see what you're trying to say.

However, I still don't see about people thinking that graphics are the most important part. They're important, of course, and can really immerse you into the world if they're really good (Shadow of the Colossus, recently Alan Wake, etc.), but they're definitely not the sole purpose of a game, because if you play games just to look at lighting effects rather than just experience the actual game, than you are a sad, sad person.

 

[Sarmos]

However, I still don't see about people thinking that graphics are the most important part. They're important, of course, and can really immerse you into the world if they're really good (Shadow of the Colossus, recently Alan Wake, etc.), but they're definitely not the sole purpose of a game, because if you play games just to look at lighting effects rather than just experience the actual game, than you are a sad, sad person.

Agreed good sir. Agreed indeed.

 

[Yureina]

Storyline. I could care less about top of the line graphics. I could even live with moments of obnoxious gameplay. But, if the story is bad I will hate the game. Its why I preferred Fallout 3 to Dragon Age: Origins, Half-Life 2 to Modern Warfare 2, and Mafia: City of Lost Heaven to every other sandbox game in existence.

 

[ddon]

Gameplay comes first. If it isn't fun to play, I won't play it.
Story comes second. There usually needs to be some motivation to play it.
Graphics come third. It's nice if it looks good, but it's not all that important.

I agree with him. Just pushing a single button and winning isn't what I would call a good game. Without gameplay it isn't a game, just a movie. However, I still want to know the reason why I am doing things like solving puzzles, getting bits of data from enemy computers and such. and the graphics, Its nice to have good graphics but I love silent hill 1 and it doesn't have much for graphics but easily makes up for it with the story and puzzles.

 

[Misterian]

It's all a matter of what it is that you enjoy from a game, whatever mades it fun to a gamer is what matters most.

 

[Captainguy42]

Definitely gameplay, otherwise isn't it just an animated movie with annoying interactive bits? I don't care how good a games story or graphics are if the game-play sucks I won't bother, however if the game has awesome gameplay I can forgive the graphics and story for sucking. Case in point:

Dwarf Fortress, really crappy graphics (arguably part of the appeal), lacking a real story, but with incredibly deep and rewarding game-play, I have in installed on every computer that I use regularly.

Halo 3, crappy story, great gameplay it's still the only game me and my friends play when we get together.

Final Fantasy 10, Good looking, good story, can't stand the gameplay, I don't touch it.

Edit:
A caveat, if the art or the story is really inspired, then I will slog through the game to enrich my self, however this is only if the game is short, like and indy browser based title.

 

[squid5580]

None of the options in the poll. If you are having fun. Don't want to stop playing it. That is a good game.

 

[Crapster]

Gameplay. Why do you think NES games are still popular? It wasn't because of their in-depth plots or graphics, it's because they're fun to play. Story is the second most important, and can mean the difference between a good game and a classic, but without the gameplay to back it up then it's hardly a GAME now is it?

 

[robobengt]

Well it looks like people play games for different reasons. Sometimes I play games for the ability to "blow shit up" in which case the gameplay is the most important. On the other hand, there's no better way to be told a good story than in a game. I rate "story" at the top, because things happening for a reason is alot more fun than things just happening. (Hello every old point 'n click-adventure game. )

 

[Acetheoriginal]

1st:game play
2nd:story
3rd:graphics

snes all day!

 

[Hollywood Knights]

I think the story is most important. A game has to be at least playable of course, but a good story can rescue poor (or at least, unsophisticated) gameplay more easily than good gameplay can save a bad story.

Obviously though, it depends on the game in question.

 

[Estocavio]

Gameplay - I believe that if you want a good story, you should read a book or watch a movie. Or somesuch thing.