What makes a game great?

Discussion in 'General Game Discussion and Questions' started by kierster, Dec 12, 2009.

  1. #1 kierster, Dec 12, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2009
    All of us have our favourite games or favourite game genres. What are yours and what makes them great?

    I've always loved RTS games like AOE or C&C. They balance strategy with action and fully immerse you into the game.

    What are yours?

    So far suggested:
    *Smooth, REPLAYABLE, Unique Gameplay
    *User-Friendly Controls
    *Multiplayer Games (Online!)
    *Great Graphics
    *Physics
    *Attention to Detail
    *Unique Storyline
    *Sandbox Modes
    *Arcade Modes
    *RPG - Deep character development
    *Puzzle games
     
  2. kdaddy

    kdaddy Well-Known Member

    Oct 9, 2009
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    Well i have a lot on my list so i wont mention the games but will tell you why they are my favorites.
    Great graphics, smooth Gameplay, reasonable story line and friendly controls.. This is just what makes me play a game, I have bought some premium games that i ended up deleting same day..
     
  3. Yea, smooth and friendly controls. Nothing worse than a game with controls that just don't make sense or have extreme lag.
    I think in my original post I'll keep a running list of things people suggest - generalized.
     
  4. pcmaster

    pcmaster Well-Known Member

    Nov 18, 2009
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    i really like endless games because they go on forever and never end. You can always beat your highest score
     
  5. WunDaii

    WunDaii Well-Known Member

    When the physics are as amazing as in Driver.
     
  6. WunDaii

    WunDaii Well-Known Member

    oooOOO! And the controls make them great... ;)
     
  7. ShadowsFall

    ShadowsFall Well-Known Member

    May 15, 2009
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    Physics, sandbox games, multiplayer games (good storyline/repetitive gameplay), graphics,controls :D
     
  8. #8 kierster, Dec 12, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2009
    Good ideas so far! I've added them to my original post.
    Another would be online competitive play, online leaderboard or direct play onine. Gotta be able to compare yourself to others around the world ;)
     
  9. iamBone

    iamBone Well-Known Member

    Aug 22, 2009
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    Replayable gameplay, multiplayer (be it co-op or not).
    Things like storyline and graphics are slightly lower on my scale, but they are needed.
     
  10. Balu`

    Balu` Well-Known Member

    Aug 4, 2009
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    I still think, that only unique games can be REALLY good.
     
  11. So unique gameplay? Unique controls? Just a unique idea?
    All of the above? :D

    The iphone definitely counts as "unique controls" i'd say. The touch screen is fantastic.
     
  12. Balu`

    Balu` Well-Known Member

    Aug 4, 2009
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    Unique gameplay and ideas. I don't really like when developers experiment with controls.
     
  13. jak56

    jak56 Well-Known Member

    when it's like OMG pirates ;)
     
  14. Sometimes, the controller is king! Alright, I'll add these to the list.

    And yea OMG pirates is pretty amazing :p.
     
  15. CDubby94

    CDubby94 Well-Known Member

    Mar 31, 2009
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    Putting "i" in front of your game name always makes it great.
     
  16. tsharpfilm

    tsharpfilm Well-Known Member

    Sep 14, 2009
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    I love games that have a story / arcade mode, and a survival mode. Most of my favorite games offer at least 1 of these types of gameplay: Doodle Jump, geoDefense Swarm, Castle Frenzy, Meteor Blitz, Alive 4 Ever, Minigore.
     
  17. Gabrien

    Gabrien Well-Known Member

    Nov 24, 2009
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    Attention. To. Detail.
     
  18. tblrsa

    tblrsa Well-Known Member

    Nov 10, 2009
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    #18 tblrsa, Dec 13, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2009
    The first impression counts, i´m reading a lot of threads about a game and i´m interested in what the developer has to say about it.
    Being a social person, first of all i try to support small indie devs who deserve it. I´m a sucker for puzzle games, so if the developer seems to be nice, i usually reward it with a buy. Puzzle Games do have a great value for money overall, so there is little risk involved.
     
  19. Faeryan

    Faeryan Well-Known Member

    Jan 11, 2009
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    RPG for me please.
    Character development and customization, the more and deeper the better.
    Something where a strategy and tactics matter at least remotely and doesn't require any fast paced button combos and such. I'm too old for those.
    Non linear also. Free roam option is an awesome thing. If you feel you're ready for tougher challenges and better rewards then go to that place X and see if you're strong enough.

    Pretty much the old school Final Fantasies, Fallouts, Baldur's Gates' and the like are my kind of games.
     
  20. TheProxy

    TheProxy Well-Known Member

    Nov 29, 2009
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    Al Gore. Replayability and excellent controls are what I'm mainly looking for.
     

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