What are the top 10 aspects that make a video game good?
In this lens, I'll explain to you my thoughts on the top ten aspects that are required for a video game to be good.
If you make games, or like to critique games, and want someone's opinion on what should be good in order for a game to be good, then you have come to the right lens!
If you make games, or like to critique games, and want someone's opinion on what should be good in order for a game to be good, then you have come to the right lens!
Contents at a Glance
10. Continuous Challenge
Continuous challenge is when one challenge will lead on to the next, and then that one will move on to the next, and it goes on and on. Usually, continuous challnges will get harder and harder.
This is important because you want players to be working to one main goal in the game, eg; saving the world. In order to save the world, you would have to complete many smaller tasks.
Without continuous challenge, players often feel less inclined to play, as there are only small challenges which often lead to.. well.. nothing.
This is important because you want players to be working to one main goal in the game, eg; saving the world. In order to save the world, you would have to complete many smaller tasks.
Without continuous challenge, players often feel less inclined to play, as there are only small challenges which often lead to.. well.. nothing.
9. Realism
No, I am not saying that games should be super-realistic. What I am going to point out here is that the amount of realism in a game can seriously affect it's quality.
With video games, players will not care if the game is not realistic. What players will care about, however, is if a game is too easy or too hard because of the realism of the game. For example, you don't want one bullet to blow up an aeroplane in a game, do you? I don't think you want your plane to be blown up by one bullet, either.
With video games, players will not care if the game is not realistic. What players will care about, however, is if a game is too easy or too hard because of the realism of the game. For example, you don't want one bullet to blow up an aeroplane in a game, do you? I don't think you want your plane to be blown up by one bullet, either.
8. Storyline
Although players don't often think about it, storylines are in fact one of the most important aspects of a game. Players want to have to work towards something, eg; stopping the evil villian from completing his task of kidnapping the princess. Would you play through all of Super Mario if nothing was going to happen at the end?
7. Rewards
Once again, players want to be able to work towards gaining something when playing a game. Rewards are often the perfect thing for a player to work for. As a player goes through a game, they are likely to want a more powerful weapon, for example, to be more effective against the stronger enemies in the game.
Rewards need to be useful, and should often take effect immediately. If this isn't the case in a game, then the reward system in a game seriously needs revision. =]
Rewards need to be useful, and should often take effect immediately. If this isn't the case in a game, then the reward system in a game seriously needs revision. =]
6. Sidequests
Sidequests are often the perfect thing if you find that a game is too short, or if you want some extra content for the player to be entertained by. Sidequests are good if you want the player to have the ability to gain unnecessary items (but helpful items at that), find out useful information or tips from in game characters, or even just to earn some extra (in game) cash.
5. Items
Items in a game are always great. They often make the player think about which item to use and when, and they can also create a twist in the game play. For example, the Mario Kart franchise became what it is because of the fact that items were used to help aid you in your quest to become the fastest racer in the (Mario) world.
Items are a good way for a player to get himself further in a game, but items' ability should not be exaggerated - why should you be able to use a knife to open a lock?
Items are a good way for a player to get himself further in a game, but items' ability should not be exaggerated - why should you be able to use a knife to open a lock?
4. Graphics
Perhaps you readers expected this to be a little higher up the list, but in my opinion, it belongs here.
Graphics must always suit the style of gameplay. You don't need realistic, 3-Dimensional graphics if your game is a simple platformer, do you?
So, what are good graphics? Good graphics are those that really suit the game and the gameplay, yet still manage to impress the player. The perfect example of this would be the Paper Mario franchise. The graphics are simple and clean, yet it completely suits the game (the idea being that everything is made out of paper).
Graphics must always suit the style of gameplay. You don't need realistic, 3-Dimensional graphics if your game is a simple platformer, do you?
So, what are good graphics? Good graphics are those that really suit the game and the gameplay, yet still manage to impress the player. The perfect example of this would be the Paper Mario franchise. The graphics are simple and clean, yet it completely suits the game (the idea being that everything is made out of paper).
3. Sound
When playing a game, the player rarely thinks about sound - in fact, they often find it unnecessary to think about the sound because it often suits the atmosphere. It is NATURAL that a game's sound matches the atmosphere, and this is vital aspect of a game. Music needs to suit the place it's being played in, and sounds need to suit where they are coming from.
There's no point having explosion sounds coming from a tap, and upbeat music in a cutscene of a man sleeping now, is there?
There's no point having explosion sounds coming from a tap, and upbeat music in a cutscene of a man sleeping now, is there?
2. Customization
Customization often plays a vital part in a player's experience in a video game. You want to allow the player to change the names of main characters, moves, sound volumes, character looks, etc. This helps because it creates a more familiar environment for the players, which is vital as it can often be the difference between a player knowing who is who and not knowing who is who.
1. Gameplay
In my opinion, good gameplay is absolutely THE most important thing required for a game to be good. Original gampeplay is important, as it is the evidence of a creative, new idea that a game developing company has come up with.
You couldn't have Mario running around punching holes in walls to save the princess, could we?
You couldn't have Mario running around punching holes in walls to save the princess, could we?
There it is!
Okay, I'm done. there it is, my top ten list on what needs to be good for a video game to be successful. If you disagree with me, or want to bring up a new point for me to take a look at, please use the comment space below.
Your thoughts
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- dannystaple dannystaple Aug 11, 2008 @ 4:24 am
- Hi, I totally agree with you about sound being at number 2. I used to do the sound code on the game, and realistic sound is normally not noticed. In fact, people only notice game sounds when they are terribly wrong. I also get sick of games putting cutscenes and graphics over good gameplay. Great lens - 5* and lensrolled.
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- Radiuz Radiuz Jul 30, 2008 @ 9:54 am
- Good work dude! your squid is looking groovy! http://www.squidoo.com/doughboy check mine out though.
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- Radiuz Radiuz Jul 30, 2008 @ 9:54 am
- Good work dude! your squid is looking groovy! http://www.squidoo.com/doughboy check mine out though.
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- RichLeigh RichLeigh Jul 29, 2008 @ 9:32 am
- Thoroughly enjoyed the lens! Liked the list and very much enjoyed the layout.
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- aurasword aurasword Jul 23, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
- smallfry, I'm not quite sure that's an aspect ;p It does make online games more fun, but again, it's not an aspect. Thanks, though! :)
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- smallfry smallfry Jul 21, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
- Hey what about player killing and pawning n00bs and such?
by aurasword
Howdy folks. Heres a little bit of information about me.
I am Australian, and my interests include sport, software development and game creation! I... (more)
I am Australian, and my interests include sport, software development and game creation! I... (more)
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