Let's count down what we want in a game!

bluestarultor · 03-02-2011, 07:12 PM

So I figured I'd ~~fish for ideas~~ just kidding, I have more ideas than I know what to do with already, but figure out what everyone likes in games.

Personally, I have a tendency to like obscure or fanciful weaponry first and foremost. You can tell a lot about a character by what they wield in battle. Serge in Chrono Cross is a boy from a fishing village and an inspection of more than one of his Swallows (but especially the Sea Swallow) shows a strong inspiration from kayak paddles or similar, which is a subtle link to the fishing boats the village relies on. He's not a hero. He's not even really a fighter. He's some 17-year-old normal kid whacking things, albeit skillfully, with a paddle. And he's not the only one. Nikki uses Picks for his guitar. He's a famous rock star, not a knight. Korcha uses Lures for his fishing rod. He's not even particularly good at fishing, but he's more familiar with it than a sword. The game is filled with this kind of thing. Radius uses a Staff (really a cane), but he actually uses it like a sword from his days as a top knight. These are all bits of characterization built straight in.

Secondly, I prefer a lighter tone. FF5 and FF9 are games I like because of this. FF5 isn't the best of the series, but I do rate it as one of the funniest. FF9 is in my top three of the series partly because of how well it balances funny with serious. Grandia 2 and 3 grabbed me way better than Xtreme for the same reason, even though 2 had a lot of really terrible things going on and a character death that ripped my heart out.

Thirdly, I prefer good sprites over bad 3D. FF4DS completely lost me with the 3D models, where the original sprites got their job done quite well, and the Complete Collection, while I dislike the RPG Maker look of the graphics, at least looks clean. FF7, as much as I like it, has really not aged well, where FF5 is as pretty as ever.

So how about everyone else? What do you like?

Kim · 03-02-2011, 07:13 PM

cooooooocks

***Fenris*** · 03-02-2011, 07:18 PM

I like it when you tag your threads.

I like it when a game makes me laugh and can tug at my heartstrings as well. Good characters and plot, as well as decent controls and I'm set.

Bells · 03-02-2011, 07:40 PM

i can tell you my main frustration about games is how they manage content in a dumb manner. Like a great RPG saying "Hey! We have 320 different types of weapons!!" to each every player replies "What are the 3 best options for my current level and what are the End game sets Vs Melee, Ranged and magic?"

Thus, reducing those "300+" options to a mere dozen spread across a 30+ hours experience.

Same applies to action games with their "cinematic combos" that you will only use 2 or MAYBE 3 of. One basic, one for Shielded enemies and MAYBE one for aerial enemies.

And they all look the same, play the same, in the same order, with the same camera effects... over and over. So, you are basically playing with a Toolbox used to make the Game Trailer look cool...

Thadius · 03-02-2011, 07:42 PM

I have a list, somewhere. I'll come back with it in due time. I think it goes something like...

1. Compelling story
1.5. Mechanics that don't require a degree in Min/Maxing from the school of Red Mage to figure out and excel at.
2. NOT hamfisted villainy/douchebaggery for the sake of being a villain/douchbag
3. The option to choose what the hell you want to do and actually have it effect what's going to happen next, not a 'Oh that's okay, you're getting the result anyways' sort of choice.

Chocobo · 03-02-2011, 07:43 PM

I prefer complicated games with lots of micro-management.

rpgdemon · 03-02-2011, 07:50 PM

I think that there's nothing wrong with a villain who does villainy just to mess with people, if it's done right.

I mean, look at the Joker. He's just there to go, "Hah, I'm causing problems!", yet people still love him as a villain.

Loyal · 03-02-2011, 08:01 PM

I like games where the stuff available at the beginning of the game remains at least useful in the end. Shooters tend to do this as a rule, RPGs not so much, and a fair number of RTS games also fail to do this.

I like games where the PvP, all other things being equal, is decided by skill instead of luck.

I like memorable soundtracks (of course).

Darth SS · 03-02-2011, 08:54 PM

I like games that don't have those god-damn escort missions.

Seriously, has an escort mission ever actually been fun?

BloodyMage · 03-02-2011, 08:54 PM

I like strategy games like Age of Empires were I get to make decisive actions and control large armies. I also like person simulation games like The Sims where I get to control and direct their lives, so I guess I really just like games where I fell like I'm really in control and having a direct effect rather than just following the story.

I liked Heavy Rain for the choices it gave. Sometimes the characters life was literally in my hands. Sometimes the controls seemed ridiculous, but I enjoyed being so involved in the story and the action. I like Fallout 3 and New Vegas similarly because a lot of the character's approach to situations are entirely based on my gameplay style or how I've decided the character should be. Again, those games are let down by flaws, such as bugs but the ability to choose who my character is and what they can do really appeals to me.

I really like Final Fantasy 9 because each character was different and served a different purpose. Similarly to the above, I felt like I had more of an effect because of the characters I picked, and those characters would appear in scenes and might speak where other characters would have instead. I actually also enjoy grinding, because for instance I maxed out the Ap and learned all the abilities for the characters when they went through to Cleyra so that other characters could use and learn the abilities in Treno. I enjoyed being able to do that, and having side quests for hidden rewards and extra experience. I enjoy games with hidden depths to explore, and not just the form of dungeons but games with items you have to keep an eye out for through out the entire game.

03-02-2011, 07:13 PM	#2
Kim adorable Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12,950	I couldn't help it. More serious response later. cooooooocks __________________ this post is about how to successfully H the Kimmy

03-02-2011, 07:18 PM	#3
*Fenris* Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Location: East Coast Posts: 6,806	I like it when you tag your threads. I like it when a game makes me laugh and can tug at my heartstrings as well. Good characters and plot, as well as decent controls and I'm set. __________________ "FENRIS IS AN ASSHOLE" - shiney

03-02-2011, 07:40 PM	#4
Bells That's so PC of you Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: In a Server-sided Dimension where time is meaningless Posts: 10,490	i can tell you my main frustration about games is how they manage content in a dumb manner. Like a great RPG saying "Hey! We have 320 different types of weapons!!" to each every player replies "What are the 3 best options for my current level and what are the End game sets Vs Melee, Ranged and magic?" Thus, reducing those "300+" options to a mere dozen spread across a 30+ hours experience. Same applies to action games with their "cinematic combos" that you will only use 2 or MAYBE 3 of. One basic, one for Shielded enemies and MAYBE one for aerial enemies. And they all look the same, play the same, in the same order, with the same camera effects... over and over. So, you are basically playing with a Toolbox used to make the Game Trailer look cool... __________________ *BELLS STORE : Clothes! You wear* them! Free US Shipping Subscription System? WTF?! Zazzle Black!**

03-02-2011, 07:42 PM	#5
Thadius BEARD IMPACT Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MANLY ANGER Posts: 1,977	I have a list, somewhere. I'll come back with it in due time. I think it goes something like... 1. Compelling story 1.5. Mechanics that don't require a degree in Min/Maxing from the school of Red Mage to figure out and excel at. 2. NOT hamfisted villainy/douchebaggery for the sake of being a villain/douchbag 3. The option to choose what the hell you want to do and actually have it effect what's going to happen next, not a 'Oh that's okay, you're getting the result anyways' sort of choice. __________________ ANGER HAS NEVER BEEN MORE MANLY THAN THIS.

03-02-2011, 07:50 PM	#7
rpgdemon Not a Taco Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,313	I think that there's nothing wrong with a villain who does villainy just to mess with people, if it's done right. I mean, look at the Joker. He's just there to go, "Hah, I'm causing problems!", yet people still love him as a villain. __________________ I did a lot of posting on here as a teenager, and I was pretty awful. Even after I learned, grew up, and came to be on the right side of a lot of important issues, I was still angry, abrasive, and generally increased the amount of hate in the world, in pretty unacceptable ways. On the off chance that someone is taking a trip down memory lane looking through those old threads, I wanted to devote my signature to say directly to you, I'm sorry. Thank you for letting me be better, NPF.

03-02-2011, 07:43 PM	#6
Chocobo Shyguy Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 127	I prefer complicated games with lots of micro-management.

03-02-2011, 08:54 PM	#10
BloodyMage I'm not even in the highscore. Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 667	I like strategy games like Age of Empires were I get to make decisive actions and control large armies. I also like person simulation games like The Sims where I get to control and direct their lives, so I guess I really just like games where I fell like I'm really in control and having a direct effect rather than just following the story. I liked Heavy Rain for the choices it gave. Sometimes the characters life was literally in my hands. Sometimes the controls seemed ridiculous, but I enjoyed being so involved in the story and the action. I like Fallout 3 and New Vegas similarly because a lot of the character's approach to situations are entirely based on my gameplay style or how I've decided the character should be. Again, those games are let down by flaws, such as bugs but the ability to choose who my character is and what they can do really appeals to me. I really like Final Fantasy 9 because each character was different and served a different purpose. Similarly to the above, I felt like I had more of an effect because of the characters I picked, and those characters would appear in scenes and might speak where other characters would have instead. I actually also enjoy grinding, because for instance I maxed out the Ap and learned all the abilities for the characters when they went through to Cleyra so that other characters could use and learn the abilities in Treno. I enjoyed being able to do that, and having side quests for hidden rewards and extra experience. I enjoy games with hidden depths to explore, and not just the form of dungeons but games with items you have to keep an eye out for through out the entire game.