what is one of the key ingredients in making a great game??

[blurredvision]

I've been thinking about what makes great games great, and what makes bad games bad. Sure, the most obvious is the gameplay, but what other little things make them great?? The thing I think is most important, second to gameplay, is the animation. Animation can really pull a player into a game, and make it that much better. Included in this is enough animations for different actions, and the transitions between different animations. The games that would most take advantage from this is sports games. That is one reason I liked NFL2K1 better than Madden 2001 on the PS2. The animation was way better, and provided for a more life-like experience.

I know there could be different things for different genres, but what do you guys think could be made better in today's games?? It's late and I'm thinking too much, I know

 

[stonerdave]

customization & options are important. i play ut and the mods, maps, and skins that can be downloaded keeps the game fresh with new stuff.

i played the DC version of unreal tourney and it was ok, but it lacked all of the options and menus that i'm used to (like setting up the bots to play against). if I had bought the DC version instead i would've stopped playing it a long time ago.

 

[GundamW]

To me, it would be the story line. Case in point, StarCraft. I don't really like RTS games but the story in StarCraft (and BroodWar) is so interesting that I blazed thru the game just to see how the story would develop. Same thing for Thief: The Dark Project.

Game play is also important too. A great game has to offer something that is different than what other similar type of games. Otherwise, it will just be another clone. Examples, would be System Shock 2 and Deus Ex.

You can tell by now I am a FPS, PC, single player addict. I also like CS (CounterStrike) too for it's multiplayer, "teamwork", real world weapons values.

 

[BigSmooth]

I think the control system/interface has to be intuitive and responsive, if not customizable. Games with a "camera" that you can't control properly are incredibly frustrating. The same goes for games when you try to move or perform an action and it doesn't happen immediately.

 

[bigbootydaddy]

yes, story has to be the most important. thats why i can go back and enjoy FF2, even if the graphics suck.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Storyline is critical. However, i think that the concept of SToryline is ill-define and in fact mis-used.

Many RTS and FPS games boast of story line, but there are other qualities that I think are just as important in these games with good storyline.

One is balanced play. its not too easy, its not too hard... OR more importantly, customizable difficulty for more expereinced players.

Another is raised stakes. getting/building better weapons/units makes it feel like you are attaining power over the computer/human opponents. The classic examples are Civilization and SimCity, Doom, DukeNukem.

Both of the above are natural components of a storyline (maintain tension, building towards an apex). Namely, increasing power allows the player to combat bigger baddies and maintains balance.

Graphics are cool, as are sounds.

AI is very, very important. especially in RTS games.

 

[GasX]

Half-Life, System Shock 2, Deus Ex, Project IGI, Starcraft / Broodwar, NOLF all had great story lines that drove you through the game. I think that is a key aspect of a classic game.

Quake3 for example lacks that. It is simply the most advanced iteration of deathmatch. Quake2 on the other hand...

Graphics is an important factor, but Starcraft is STILL fun to play in 640x480 in 2D.

Gameplay is VERY important. That storyline might have you staying up late to get to the next cut scene, but if the game isn't fun...

Controls - Yes they have to be intuitive. If they are not, the game is frustrating. If they are, you don't notice them. That is how it sould be.

Innovation is another factor. Quake3 is not a GREAT game because it isn't any different than Quake2 deathmatch. It is more advanced, prettier, but the game is the same... Don't get me wrong, Q3 is fun as hell, but it won't go down in history the way Q2 and Half-Life did.

Multiplayer - nowadays it has become a pre-requisite. This is odd to me though.. Deus Ex and NOLF both released multiplayer patches because they had to. Nobody plays multiplayer, but you could if you wanted to...

The bottom line for me is that gameplay and storyline make a game GREAT. The other things have to be present, but they don't define the greatness. More often than not, their absence ruin the game rather than make it...