How *important* are Graphics to you?

[apoppin]

i started a few threads here recently [sorry ]... i am very interested in a gamer's psyche ... after all i am one type of gamer ... i recognize many of you are very different than me in your gaming habits and preferences including trading and replaying video games.

Now .. i really *tried* to get into PS:T ... but i just *can't* get over the *fUgly* gfx.
... 8x6 '2D' 16bit top-down side-scrolling RPG that would have looked *awful* -- in 97'
:Q

i have no sense of *enjoyment* whatsoever
i cannot "suspend disbelief"

i'd MUCH rather read a book than play something that distractingly ugly ...
--graphics have become an *impediment* to my continuing PS:T.

i *can* play Vampire:Redemption ... which is roughly where Thief Dark Horse or SS2 was in '99 ... but with some interactive shadows and better colours.

Still, i don't *enjoy* the game ... it is like buying a 42" HiDef 1080i Plasma Display and watching endless hours of vintage B&W movies on it.

There are some *wonderful* newer games ... am i *really* missing something special?

Do others have "my" problem?

 

[Schadenfroh]

I did not have a problem playing through Baldur's Gate 1 six months ago, a game can be so good that I just ignore the graphics. I still play Master of Orion 2 (which I recently found again!) and sometimes Civilization II which I find to be a superior game to Civilization IV (although Civ IV itself is good).

The best games always achieve a balance between gameplay and graphics, but my main concern is that games are becoming more focused on graphics than on gameplay.

I do plan on playing through PS:T, but I am only about an hour into it right now and my studies have kept me from it, along with my recent acquisition of the entire FarScape series (plus the PeaceKeeper Wars).

 

[DaveSimmons]

When did you start playing games, apoppin?

My first game system was an Atari 2600, and my first gaming PC was a TRS-80 Model 1, so PS:T looks incredible compared to them

It sounds like you only like high-polygon 3D graphics, and can't identify with top-down isometric 2D sprites. It's too bad since X-Com, Jagged Alliance 2, Fallout 1-2, PS:T, and Baldur's Gate 1-2 were all a lot of fun.

 

[apoppin]

ok, my eyes *burn* when i try to play PS:T

i could *never* play BG which is *worse* ... if that is possible

i DO see the artists attention to detail in PS:T ... the voice acting ... the story unfold

--but is is SO ugly in comparison to even old FPS games
i just don't want to take the time to learn a whole new world's controls, quirks, combat, leveling if i am continually distracted by it's "sheer fUgliness"

i always thought i can *forgive* gfx ... i can play original Thief and "suspend disbelief"

but i have my "standards" ... and my pride
--and in PS:T i am *continually reminded* that i am playing an ugly game.

edit: my first video game was *Pong*

i played games on an Atari 800xl
:Q

my TV is also a little nicer than what i had back ... in what ... 1983?
i got *used to* improving gfx

 

[DaveSimmons]

i always thought i can *forgive* gfx ... i can play original Thief and "suspend disbelief"

That's 3D though, not 2D.

Yep, you're an anti-2D bigot.

 

[Ultralight]

Uh-oh, apoppin, those who bow to and worship PS:T will be coming at you in droves for it is the greatest RPG ever made due to its "amazing" in-depth story. I've read this sentiment more times online than I care to recall. And it really is deeply story driven but I just couldn't get into the game.

Graphics are important to me but if there is little to no story I bail. PS:T graphics remind me of Divine Divinity's graphics.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

i always thought i can *forgive* gfx ... i can play original Thief and "suspend disbelief"

That's 3D though, not 2D.

Yep, you're an anti-2D bigot.

i *loved* Miner 2049er on my PC and Atari 7800, Ms Pac Man and Galaga, and later Castlevania on SNES ... but not so much altered beast on Genesis

that's when i got back to PC gaming and never looked back at consoles ... but i digress

:lips:

shot down your theory



=========

Originally posted by: Ultralight
Uh-oh, apoppin, those who bow to and worship PS:T will be coming at you in droves for it is the greatest RPG ever made due to its "amazing" in-depth story. I've read this sentiment more times online than I care to recall. And it really is deeply story driven but I just couldn't get into the game.

Graphics are important to me but if there is little to no story I bail. PS:T graphics remind me of Divine Divinity's graphics.

i'd MUCH RATHER read the book ... i CAN "suspend disbelief" for a good book where i don't have to be reminded it is UGLY ... ugly ... ugly
--eyewateringly fUgly

--is there a cliff's version of PS:T so i can 'cheat' and say i played it?

:laugh:

 

[Ultralight]

=========

Originally posted by: Ultralight
Uh-oh, apoppin, those who bow to and worship PS:T will be coming at you in droves for it is the greatest RPG ever made due to its "amazing" in-depth story. I've read this sentiment more times online than I care to recall. And it really is deeply story driven but I just couldn't get into the game.

Graphics are important to me but if there is little to no story I bail. PS:T graphics remind me of Divine Divinity's graphics.

i'd MUCH RATHER read the book ... i CAN "suspend disbelief" for a good book where i don't have to be reminded it is UGLY ... ugly ... ugly
--eyewateringly fUgly

--is there a cliff's version of PS:T so i can 'cheat' and say i played it?

:laugh:[/quote]

What?!? :disgust: And miss out on the full immersion of the game known as PS:Torment?!? :shocked: Ah, yes, the Cult of PS:T will certainly be coming for you like the zombies in Dawn of the Dead. Run. Run far away.

 

[VIAN]

In early 2004, I played Quake + expansions, Quake II + expansions, Unreal + Expansion, Alien VS Predator 2 + Expansion, Undying, Alice. All for the first time.

A lot of old games. What I think is that as long as the game isn't a burden to play, it's easy to get lost in the mysterious lands of these games. Quake II I didn't enjoy too much, but it was interesting. But the others can really withstand the test of time.

I think that, to me, the fact that the graphics weren't up to date was one of the main reasons why it was so amazing. I think maybe as I was playing, that I took myself back to when the game was released. Maybe the fact that I didn't expect to be wowed by the graphics made me look at it in a different perspective.

Unreal + Expansion will always be my favorite FPS of all time.

 

[duffman1]

graphics are a major thing for me i love playing all my games on high settings but there are just some classic games with ****** graphics that u still gotta love like d2, sc, mario but for the most part graphics ftw!

 

[apoppin]

*immersion*

i feel like i am *drowning* in a sea of garish colours, huge sprites where you can see each pixel, giant GUIs and fUgly gfx

--help me!:


i just put Fable back on and realized how far we progressed ... in just 5 years!
:shocked:

PS:T is just gawd-awful


--story notwithstanding


Edit: VIAN i have NO PROBLEM with ANY game you mention ... they are "art" compared to PST, graphically

you gotta see it to believe it ... look for a screenie

it makes my eyes *burn*
:sun:

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: VIAN
In early 2004, I played Quake + expansions, Quake II + expansions, Unreal + Expansion, Alien VS Predator 2 + Expansion, Undying, Alice. All for the first time.

A lot of old games. What I think is that as long as the game isn't a burden to play, it's easy to get lost in the mysterious lands of these games. Quake II I didn't enjoy too much, but it was interesting. But the others can really withstand the test of time.

I think that, to me, the fact that the graphics weren't up to date was one of the main reasons why it was so amazing. I think maybe as I was playing, that I took myself back to when the game was released. Maybe the fact that I didn't expect to be wowed by the graphics made me look at it in a different perspective.

Unreal + Expansion will always be my favorite FPS of all time.

i *loved* Unreal and played it years after release
:heart:

it was beautiful ... "art" ...

in *this case*, like ross - "there's no comparison" ... even Thief - 1, Dark Horse/SS2 look WAY better ... and all four games - Thief/PS:T/SS2/Unreal are '99]

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/planescapetorment/screenindex.html

here you go ... *FEAST* your eyes on the BEST of PS:T



could you enjoy it?

 

[Fenixgoon]

you graphics whore

i've played bg2 so many times i can't count, and every time is just as fun as the last. PS:T looks like diablo1 - fine by me

 

[Maximilian]

Whats PS:T?

Phantasy star: somthing beginning with T?

Planet scape: tournament?

Pacafic standard: time? (google wasent any help )

EDIT: Never mind i see a link to planescape tournament, i see...

 

[KeithTalent]

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
you graphics whore

i've played bg2 so many times i can't count, and every time is just as fun as the last. PS:T looks like diablo1 - fine by me

maybe you have no standards ... or pride



or perhaps we're a bit "different"

--trying to get at the 'why' you can play it and why the gfx irritate me to distraction
it has something to do with *suspending disbelief*, i think

EDIT, Sorry, KT
i have zero prob as my "costs" were effectively nothing ... and i will be glad to *trade it* to someone who will appreciate it

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
you graphics whore

i've played bg2 so many times i can't count, and every time is just as fun as the last. PS:T looks like diablo1 - fine by me

maybe you have no standards ... or pride



or perhaps we're a bit "different"

--trying to get at the 'why' you can play it and why the gfx irritate me to distraction
it has something to do with *suspending disbelief*, i think

EDIT, Sorry, KT
i have zero prob as my "costs" were effectively nothing ... and i will be glad to *trade it* to someone who will appreciate it

i did like nwn2....

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

It would probably be tolerable if the engine allowed for at least 1024x768, which is possible with BG2 now (after mods).

640x480 is difficult, though - it even makes a good 3D game look like crap. Artistically speaking, it's not too bad, but the resolution limitation is painful.

It's up to you. IMO PS:T has the best written storyline and characters out of any game I've played. Admittedly, I did have some trouble getting over the graphics initially (played about 3 months ago).

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
you graphics whore

i've played bg2 so many times i can't count, and every time is just as fun as the last. PS:T looks like diablo1 - fine by me

maybe you have no standards ... or pride



or perhaps we're a bit "different"

--trying to get at the 'why' you can play it and why the gfx irritate me to distraction
it has something to do with *suspending disbelief*, i think

EDIT, Sorry, KT
i have zero prob as my "costs" were effectively nothing ... and i will be glad to *trade it* to someone who will appreciate it

i did like nwn2....

i *would have* --if it wasn't so stupidly buggy

i *loved KotOR ,,, but what does that have to do with PS:T fUgly gfx?


8x6 *kills* my eyes ... is that what i just spent $500 in HW upgrades for?
:roll:

 

[Bateluer]

Remember PST did come out at the end of 1998. The visuals were top notch for its time.

 

[apoppin]

it says '99 on the Disk

and 'top notch' for RPG .. not FPS
... wasn't Unreal also '99
Nope ... '98 ... na pali was '99
i believe thief and SS2 were '99 ... but Unreal blew them away, graphically

there is no comparison

 

[AbAbber2k]

Graphics aren't *important* to me in the "sense" that a *compelling* storyline and believable universe are.


"Suspension of *disbelief*" isn't about 'graphics' *stripping* your "sense" that the game isn't... *real*... it's about *all* elements of the "storyline" meshing together well so that nothing seems "out of place".


That said, "poor" graphics don't *bother me... to an *extent*. I wouldn't "appreciate" 10 year old *graphics* in a brand new game... and that *would* "hinder" my "enjoyment". But it's, IMHO, *silly* to use such an "example" (10 year old games) for why "graphics* are "important". A better example is "last gen vs current". I'm perfectly happy playing *new* games with 2-4 year "old" graphics as I think they *still* look "good enough".

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k
Graphics aren't *important* to me in the "sense" that a *compelling* storyline and believable universe are.


"Suspension of *disbelief*" isn't about 'graphics' *stripping* your "sense" that the game isn't... *real*... it's about *all* elements of the "storyline" meshing together well so that nothing seems "out of place".


That said, "poor" graphics don't *bother me... to an *extent*. I wouldn't "appreciate" 10 year old *graphics* in a brand new game... and that *would* "hinder" my "enjoyment". But it's, IMHO, *silly* to use such an "example" (10 year old games) for why "graphics* are "important". A better example is "last gen vs current". I'm perfectly happy playing *new* games with 2-4 year "old" graphics as I think they *still* look "good enough".

well, what *would* "hinder" your enjoyment of a game?

Paper & dice D&D? ... i *already* played that before it was beta ... i don't every plan to revisit it every though there were some very *amazing* storylines "meshing together well so that nothing seems "out of place".

or 16bit graphics? ... 8bit? .. there are great "classics" of the past that were simply illustrated interactive novels

i am also "perfectly happy playing *new* games with 2-4 year "old" graphics as I think they *still* look "good enough". ... i just finished VtMB last week ... awesome game!, not the 'latest' by any means

PS:T is so ... under-the-top ... it bugs the hell outta me and destroys my immersion ...

 

[AbAbber2k]

Meh... the PS:T graphics don't bug me that much... and they're hardly "under-the-top". Maybe they don't compare to the "graphical masterpieces" of it's time, but it wasn't sh1t. IMHO it looked better than Diablo... though maybe not as good as Diablo II. Which it feel right in the middle of btw. (Diablo '96, PS:T '98, DII 2k).

And personally, I think immersion is a big load of crap that marketers use to push games. There are different kinds, and IMHO, the kind you're talking about is a load of horsesh1t. Getting caught up in the story is one thing... feeling like you're "in the game" because it's so beautiful or some crap is idiotic. FPS can come close if they're intense enough and really draw you into the graphics... but I've never felt "immersed" in the sense that I think you're trying to convey.

Edit: Fvck! I forgot all my *s, "s and ...s.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: apoppin
well, what *would* "hinder" your enjoyment of a game?

If it was a piece of sh1t with horrible gameplay. If the gameplay is fun I can forget about a lacking story line (Mario is a good example) or good graphics (any 8bit shooter ala Gradius or Lifeforce. God I fvcking love Lifeforce).