What Makes A Video Game Great?

[woot21]

I'm just wondering what people's opinions are on what makes a video game great. For me personally it is being entertained while I'm playing the game, if a game looks amazing but isn't fun to play I will refuse to play it. Graphics don't matter to me, I mean look at the orginal Sonic and Mario games, the graphics are awful by today's standards, yet we still flock back to them, because they are fun. I feel if video game producers spent less time on bells and whistles, they could make truly great games again, only a few games look great and are great, Halo 1/2, RE4, Wind Waker, Melee, Metriod Prime 1/2, and the newer Madden games. The bells and whistles are nice and all, but they shouldn't be added at the cost of making the game enjoyable.

woot21 out dawgs

 

[Bu†cH]

Story
Controls
Gameplay

These are the three most important words of what makes a great game.
--------------
Graphics
Depth & Length
Originality
Audio
Replayability

These help also.

 

[FlamingRuby]

For me, I look for a good plot, ease of control, and gameplay.

Reasons:

Story-This mainly applies to RPGS, but it's fun watching your characters grow and develop bonds with each other.
Controls-I'm sure that I'm not the only one that hates fiddling with a pesky camera or hitting the wrong button at the wrong time
Gameplay-Why play if it's not fun?

 

[Reiji]

All of these make a great game, entertainment/replay value, graphics, sound and gameplay.

 

[Ben Kenobi]

As long as I find the gameplay to be great, I couldn't really care much about anything else.

 

[Sneaky]

I enjoy a game that provides good controls, gameplay and graphics.

Controls - It just makes the game better/easier to play, which in trun makes it more fun.

Gameplay - What good is a game with lousy gameplay?

Graphics - Bad graphics spoil my eyes XP

A good storyline and plot would be an added bonus.

 

[kingdom hearts]

Story
Controls
Gameplay
MUSIC.
That's why my name is kingdom hearts.
Cause it ROCKS ALL OF YOU.

 

[Kosmo]

Gameplay
Replay value
Controls

 

[AJ Flibble]

Generally gameplay - is it fun or not? Graphics don't mean too much as long as they are OK (though Sonic CD has gorgeous graphics) and gimmicks don't really matter, and storyline isn't important either TBH.