Elements of a game

[Zero]

When making a game what do you considered the most important element(graphics, music, story,etc..)of the game?

[Ryner]

Re: Elements of a game

Writing ability. Nothing else matters if every time the text box pops up it says something retarded.

[JPS]

Re: Elements of a game

Storyline definitely, nothing else compares to a storyline, you can have the best of everything in a game, but if it has a bad storyline, then its a bad game

Also its nice to be able to connect with characters during a game

Also plenty of places to explore and not just a "do this, then this" type game

[Zero]

Re: Elements of a game

Music is important as well. who wants to list to the same stupid loop the whole game.

[irate giraffe]

Re: Elements of a game

Music is so tertiary.

[Ωbright]

Re: Elements of a game

For me, an RPG is about what happens to the characters. If I hate the characters, then I don't care what happens to them...and therefore I usually don't care about the game any more...usually. There are exceptions, but for the most part the characters are most important.

[JPS]

Re: Elements of a game

I dont even pay attention to music, unless its during a cutscene and the music help create the mood

[Caciss]

Re: Elements of a game

Gameplay and Story.

Sometimes gameplay can save story, sometimes story saves gameplay.

One of them has to be good though.

[Jamos]

Re: Elements of a game

I'm with Caciss on this one. I've seen many games in which that is the case.

Two examples:

DQ8 (good old school gameplay, but a rather cliche story.)
Soul Reaver 2 (compelling story, but the combat can be quite the chore at times.)

I could go on, but I'm lazy.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Elements of a game

For me, an RPG is about what happens to the characters. If I hate the characters, then I don't care what happens to them...and therefore I usually don't care about the game any more...usually. There are exceptions, but for the most part the characters are most important.

Exactly why I hate FFX

[Misty]

Re: Elements of a game

Story, character development, and fun gameplay. I couldn't stress these enough.

For me, personally, the toughest thing to put together is a story. I have good ideas, but I always struggle with arranging them in a manner that makes sense to the player while at the same time making it interesting.

[Loki]

Re: Elements of a game

I agree with Ryner. Writing is everything. You could have the most simple and assinine plot but with good writing it can fly. You guys need to clear up your definition of "good storyline." You're being far too vague. Look at Earthbound: 4 kids with psychic powers save earth from aliens. That's it. But the writing in the game is so good, and the details are so well defined that it doesn't matter that it has a simple storyline, or non-existant characters, or less than compelling gameplay (though that's an opinion that many people don't share). Shadow the Colossus is the sameway. People rave about it's "storyline." But the plot in the game is very simple and it's only really shown at the begening and the end. However, the game creates an emotional landscape that is beyond 99% of all other games. It's not it's storyline that makes it special.

[JPS]

Re: Elements of a game

Okay, good storyline as in something that will peak your interest without giving away the whole plot all at once, good descriptive writing style, getting in-touch with characters, good grammar, etc...

I guess, but that may be asking too much

[Gustaff 13]

Re: Elements of a game

Writing ability. Nothing else matters if every time the text box pops up it says something retarded.

*ahem*

[irate giraffe]

Re: Elements of a game

Even better.

Gameplay ftw.