Gameplay, Graphics, Story... All Equally Important in the Making of a Great Game

In System Wars, I always hear people stating that gameplay is more important than everything else that makes up a video game.

Why?

Video games are works of art. All aspects should be great in a great game.

If Uncharted 2 had horrible visuals, then the game's overall quality would not be the same, but that doesn't mean the gameplay was by any means bad.

If one aspect of a game is sub-par, the rest of the game goes with it. Gran Turismo 5 is a prime example of that.

But...

The overall design of a game can easily render the graphics and/or story useless. I believe this is where the argument originated from. Many Nintendo games are designed so well, they don't need graphics or a story in order to be great. Keep in mind that it's not JUST the gameplay that makes these games good. It's the overall design.

Great gameplay alone makes a shallow game. You need a good design to make it into something more.

No, gameplay really is the most important aspect. Mario says hello.

I agree with this.

Wait a sec... Who are you, and what have you done with Rikusaki?

Also, I agree. Though to a lesser extent with graphics. Whilst they are a nice thing to have, I don't find them to be essential (purely from a technical aspect).

Depends on the genre/game for me personally.

I'll just wait and see how you use your OP to turn this into an OnLive thread, Riku.

Nah, gameplay makes up for about 50% of a game quality IMO, story being about 35% and presentation (sound/graphics) the other 15%.

Of course those can change depending on the game.

For example sports games are 80% gameplay, 20% sound/graphics.

Minecraft.

Graphics are no where near Crysis.

Story...there's Story?

But Gameplay...Oh Boy there's lots.

It depends on what the game rely's on to make it great. But I mostly agree with this.

I've played tons of great games with crappy stories and crappy graphics. I disagree, all it takes to make a great game is a design that make that player enjoy the strengths more then dwell on the weaknesses.

I disagree. A game with an amazing story and graphics is nothing without the gameplay to back it up.

Otherwise, a game with a crappy story, and graphics but outstanding gameplay will go much much farther.

In System Wars, I always hear people stating that gameplay is more important than everything else that makes up a video game.

Why?

Video games are works of art. All aspects should be great in a great game.

If Uncharted 2 had horrible visuals, then the game's overall quality would not be the same, but that doesn't mean the gameplay was by any means bad.

If one aspect of a game is sub-par, the rest of the game goes with it. Gran Turismo 5 is a prime example of that.

Rikusaki

i agree with everything you said

Wait a sec... Who are you, and what have you done with Rikusaki?

Also, I agree. Though to a lesser extent with graphics. Whilst they are a nice thing to have, I don't find them to be essential (purely from a technical aspect).

lundy86_4

Minecraft.

Graphics are no where near Crysis.

Story...there's Story?

But Gameplay...Oh Boy there's lots.

LegatoSkyheart

[QUOTE="LegatoSkyheart"]

Minecraft.

Graphics are no where near Crysis.

Story...there's Story?

But Gameplay...Oh Boy there's lots.

Rikusaki

Just saying man.

If the game has amazing Gameplay then who needs Story and Graphics?

But yeah Story and Graphics aren't that bad either.

According to my favourite games of all time

1) Gameplay by a massive margin

2) Quality level design for the gameplay

3) Richness in content

4) Graphics and sound

5) Story (completely unnecessary, but is a nice bonus sometimes)

I've played tons of great games with crappy stories and crappy graphics. I disagree, all it takes to make a great game is a design that make that player enjoy the strengths more then dwell on the weaknesses.

ActicEdge

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="LegatoSkyheart"]

Minecraft.

Graphics are no where near Crysis.

Story...there's Story?

But Gameplay...Oh Boy there's lots.

LegatoSkyheart

Just saying man.

If the game has amazing Gameplay then who needs Story and Graphics?

But yeah Story and Graphics aren't that bad either.

Disagree.

Gameplay is the foundation of the game. If you don't have at least solid gameplay then you don't have a great game.

I disagree. A game with an amazing story and graphics is nothing without the gameplay to back it up.

Otherwise, a game with a crappy story, and graphics but outstanding gameplay will go much much farther.

AmayaPapaya

Disagree.

Gameplay is the foundation of the game. If you don't have at least solid gameplay then you don't have a great game.

the_mitch28

Gameplay's importance cannot even be compared to graphics. A photo-realistic game with beautiful environments would be trash without decent gameplay to back it up, the game will be trash and the devs should go ahead and make a cgi movie or something instead. In the other hand, a game can look like trash and still be a masterpiece if the gameplay is good. Games are for gameplay, if you care more about graphics go watch Avatar or buy yourself a nice picture book.

I was just thinking that games could have a whatevs story and and good graphics and still be awesome because of the gameplay.

Gameplay is the basis that ALL videogames were originaly founded upon and will always be the most important. Story is a *very* nice bonus, but good gameplay is a crucial requirement.

Gameplay's importance cannot even be compared to graphics. A photo-realistic game with beautiful environments would be trash without decent gameplay to back it up, the game will be trash and the devs should go ahead and make a cgi movie or something instead. In the other hand, a game can look like trash and still be a masterpiece if the gameplay is good. Games are for gameplay, if you care more about graphics go watch Avatar or buy yourself a nice picture book.

alfredooo

Gameplay is the basis that ALL videogames were originaly founded upon and will always be the most important. Story is a *very* nice bonus, but good gameplay is a crucial requirement.

Master_ShakeXXX

[QUOTE="AmayaPapaya"]

I disagree. A game with an amazing story and graphics is nothing without the gameplay to back it up.

Otherwise, a game with a crappy story, and graphics but outstanding gameplay will go much much farther.

Rikusaki

Yes but you were asking about those 3 catagories. Before you edited your OP and started looping everything in with design.

So let me put it to you this way:

Well designed gameplay is much more important than graphics or story.

[QUOTE="alfredooo"]

Gameplay's importance cannot even be compared to graphics. A photo-realistic game with beautiful environments would be trash without decent gameplay to back it up, the game will be trash and the devs should go ahead and make a cgi movie or something instead. In the other hand, a game can look like trash and still be a masterpiece if the gameplay is good. Games are for gameplay, if you care more about graphics go watch Avatar or buy yourself a nice picture book.

Rikusaki

The overall desing relies more on gameplay than anything tho. As I said, we play games are for the gameplay, not to stare at pretty graphics.

[QUOTE="Master_ShakeXXX"]

Gameplay is the basis that ALL videogames were originaly founded upon and will always be the most important. Story is a *very* nice bonus, but good gameplay is a crucial requirement.

Rikusaki

Way to discredit just about every Zelda, Mario, Metroid, etc. ever made. They didn't really have stories so they're shallow?

NO TC, dont edit your original post. that was your original argument, you stick with it. dont change it when others prove you wrong.

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="Master_ShakeXXX"]

Gameplay is the basis that ALL videogames were originaly founded upon and will always be the most important. Story is a *very* nice bonus, but good gameplay is a crucial requirement.

Master_ShakeXXX

Way to discredit just about every Zelda, Mario, Metroid, etc. ever made. They didn't really have stories so they're shallow?

it does matter to have at least decent looking graphics ,but gameplay is key. look at games like halo 3. it dosent have the best graphics out there but its very fun. another one would be l4d

No, gameplay and story should equally be great.

Graphics are important but it does not trump story or gameplay.

I can enjoy playing a game with good story and gameplay and have average graphics.

Gameplay is most important by a huge margin. And lol at the poll results. If that was really how people on SW think (gameplay above all) then I wouldnt get into so many redundant debates that prove otherwise.

This place is graphics wars first and foremost. Gameplay and story are an afterthought on this board.

It all depends on the genre.

That depends heavily on the type of game. Video games are not just games. For example chess is a game, it's purely gameplay that doesn't need story. A video game is more than that, it mixes game with story and music to give the player an experience. The purpose of many video games is to give the player an experience that he would never had in real life, like being a marine in the future fighting robots or a knight in the medieval times saving the kingdom.

Mario or Tetris are purely gameplay and don't need a great story and graphic, although graphics (artstyle) are important for Mario. The same can be said for sport game and the online multiplayer shooters.

Amnesia or Dead space rely heavily on the atmosphere. These games rely more in graphics than story and gameplay to create the horror experience.

Dragon age or Mass effect would have been not that great if they had a shallow story. Rpg games in general are more about adventure and experiencing a role in a fantasy world so it needs a good story to shape that world in which your character lives.

Should cost not be a factor as well?

How much did it cost to make Tetris compared to Crysis?
If you dont have that much money, your not expected to make a mind blowing, immersive game.

That being said, the greater games get them spot on.. And some games, deliver on what they intended to like Forza 3.

ive seen get alot of GAMEPLAY praise because of great graphics........

Graphics don't have to be high quality for a game to be great. Gameplay does have to be high quality. For story and sound, depends on the type of game. For example, I think a great horror game should have great sound. A great RPG should have a solid story. High quality graphics and sound always help though.

I love graphics and a good story but nothing is more important than gameplay in a video game. Super Meat Boy is a good example of it.