What Do you consider "Bad Graphics?"

[The Random One]

For myself, I particularly am unable to perceive any difference between graphics that are better than Resident Evil 4 for the GameCube. That means that I see absolutely no difference between the graphics of any game that came out this generation.

Then again, I play ASCII roguelikes, and I don't think those graphics are bad. Get a grip on, peoples.

 

[zehydra]

Bad graphics are when it fails to look good on any platform.

 

[Expensive Associate]

As others have said as long as it is clear what is going on, the graphics are fine. Dwarf fortress has fine graphics, you can tell what each character means. The only visual aspect I consider vital is draw distance, I absolutely cannot abide enemies and terrain popping out of nowhere 10 feet in front of me, I'd rather play a game with just wireframe models if it means I can see further then I can shoot.

 

[Blue Musician]

In my opinion it's when a game isn't really atmospheric enough.

 

[starhaven]

the wii thats bad graphics
most ps2 games were better

 

[Double A]

Bad graphics are anything that takes away from the quality of the game. For example, for Borderlands, the graphics are good, but if you used the same style in a realistic historical RTS, I'd tear out my eyes.

 

[Syntax Error]

To me, bad graphics would be something that looks like it came from the early days of the PSOne (just to illustrate, I look at FF7 now, and see an ugly mess of blocks but when I look at FF9, I see a great world with great characters). I still find PS2-level graphics great, btw (God of War being the shining example, the only fault I can find in it would be the screen tearing, which is probably from the lack of V-Sync). That said, this is the reason why 2d graphics will always have its place.

 

[lowkey_jotunn]

Bad enough to detract from gameplay. Or in the case of Kane and Lynch 2, bad enough to give me headaches. Yes, graphics so bad it caused me physical pain.

However, if the game itself is fun, and the graphics not pain-inducing bad, I will forgive. On the flip side, a game with amazing photo-realistic graphics but crap game play will be the far inferior game. Jiggle physics only gets you so far

Edit: I actually watched half of the video from a few posts up... and aside from the commentary cracking me up, I didn't find the graphics all that horrible. Sure, it wouldn't fly as "cutting edge" these days, but it wasn't enough to distract me from what looked to be a fun game.

 

[Tanfastic]

Bad graphics to me are from systems older than the N64, and in rare other cases of newer games (mostly where the bad graphics is the icing on the cake for a really bad game otherwise.) but some horrible graphics can still be in a good game and I won't mind.

 

[Trogdor1138]

Well it's quite simple really:

"Q: Does the game look great or is it kind of off-putting and unappealing?

A: Hmm, looks a bit crap..."

Well, most likely has bad graphics then since they haven't done their job.

 

[loc978]

Depends on the game. For example:

Spoiler: Moria's graphics work fine for what the game is trying to do

Moria's graphics work fine for what the game is trying to do

However,

Spoiler: I think the Hero Engine was always insufficient for what Star Wars: The Old Republic is trying to be

I think the Hero Engine was always insufficient for what Star Wars: The Old Republic is trying to be

 

[Zaik]

My definition of "bad graphics" is when graphics don't properly represent something.

The most clear-cut example of something like that is probably Dwarf Fortress. Now before anyone picks up pitchforks and heads this way, the first thing that came to your mind is wrong.

For example, in Dwarf Fortress, an E could be:

1:An Elf
2:An Ettin
3:An Elephant
4:A Giant Eagle
5:A Titan
6:A Forgotten Beast
7:A Zombie Elephant
8:A Skeletal Elephant
9:A Demon

As far as I know, that's it. You can *not* tell which one it is just by looking at it, you have to pause the game to investigate, or have kept track of where it originated from.

Of course, there's a fairly easy fix for that, there are graphical packs that change everything to tiny sprites and such that make it clear what you're looking at.

Edit: Another extreme example of this is The Elder Scrolls: Arena. You literally can not see more than 5 feet in any direction, the rest is all fog. It makes navigating anything next to impossible, because there is no way to keep any sort of landmark in view unless you are going next door.

 

[retterkl]

I think the thing which might make for the worst graphics is that you get so bored of looking at same style of stuff or repeated objects being placed that you get bored of the game for a non gameplay/narative reason.

I know that's again more art direction then actual graphics, but something like an MMO where they have repetitive cave levels or whatever that you just can't be bothered to deal with after a while because they used up all their poly count on character creation when you can't even see the front of your own avatar for half the game..

 

[Ganthrinor]

Bad Graphics are flickering, grainy, overly blocky, lacking in texture and/or color/lighting.

There is a difference between "Bad Graphics" and "Dated Graphics". Dated graphics are fine. Bad graphics make you want to chew glass and spit acid.

 

[thatman]

Bad graphics for me are when every colour is a variant of brown and i can't tell what the bloody hell i'm shooting at cos the enemies blend into the background. Good graphics are lively and interesting. Casing point, Timesplitters 2 and 3 have better graphics than killzone 2.
Note, this is a personal view and from a technical standpoint, no, TS 2 and 3 are no way as good as killzone 2 on graphics (I'm not THAT stupid).

 

[kane.malakos]

Bad graphics are a sign of when developers really don't care. I love seeing stylized graphics, cutting edge graphics, but what I consider "bad graphics" is when there is no real direction to it, or lacks any desire to convey anything outside of "this is what is happening."

I want graphics for a purpose beyond just telling you what is happening right now.

That's pretty much how I feel. It's one of the reasons I really like TF2's graphics. They don't have the most textures, but they're distinctive, artistic, and add to the game.

 

[Deathlisk]

I don't know.... I have never played a game where I said "blech, the graphics stink!". I can play outcast without complaining.