21 replies to this topic

[Sandy]

I look for a character that I can relate to. I always have more fun when I feel an attachment to a character due to their past, the way they express themselves, the choices they make, the way they carry themselves, etc. 

 

I also look for options. I like to be able to make choices in the game, whether it be which path to take, my appearance, the people I befriend, the places I go. I like an open world, where I'm not being pushed along from level to level. 

 

I also like a large and beautifully designed map. Take Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for example. The world is so vast in that game, I often forget that some areas even exist. Finding them again later is such a pleasant feeling, it's like rediscovering it all over again.

 

So, When you've played through all of your games and you feel like it's time for something new, what do you look for? 

 

And for those of you who are into FPS, what do you look for in those? I'm quite curious what makes a good first-person shooter in your eyes.

[No-Danico]

Story and character development, that's what I consider important. Gameplay and content are important, but a crappy story will make me drop the game quicker than blind window washer from the empire state building. But I think my expectations have escalated in the past year or so, almost to the point that everything, video games, movies, books, will all disappoint me to a certain extent. Maybe it's a drop in quality as games have trended to a more mainstream appeal, or maybe it's the whole writing thing, but I just can't stand predictability. Not either extremes of the spectrum like tropes or cliches, just general storytelling.

 

Deus Ex Human Revolution was cool. Gameplay was decent, but the story just got on my nerves so much I couldn't finish the game. Games that I've been excited about like Metal Gear Rising and Bioshock Infinite have only brought with them feelings of melancholy and, I don't know, regret? Regret because I set my expectations far too high and they couldn't live up to them. Yet, simple things like Terraria or Minecraft can draw my attention for hours, even without a story, the very thing I love in games!   

 

I don't even consider myself a gamer anymore. My nephews are the only ones who use my consoles, and the only thing I use my laptop for is porn and writing.     

[SpleenBeGone]

It depends on what I play.

 

If it's an RPG game, I want a character I can identify with, as well as secondary characters I can relate to someone else. From there, I either need an interesting story line (Final Fantasy style) or give me a completely open environment, Morrowind style. 

 

From FPS games, I want equal gameplay, so that someone who's been playing for a year with all the power ups isn't put against me my first outing. I also enjoy graphics a lot on fps games, and want a strategic but quick paced game. I find the ultra real shooters like Americas Army to be boring because there's a whole lot of sitting and trying not to get shot, like real life. 

 

Sometimes though, I still want to just play a mindless hack and slash game. Gauntlet Legends and Diablo come to mind. 

[Wolf]

As pathetic as I feel saying this...

 

Escapism...

[No-Danico]

As pathetic as I feel saying this...

 

Escapism...

 

See this? This is someone being honest with themselves. We can list a thousand reasons, but in truth we all play to get a sense of fulfillment that is much more difficult to snatch in the real world. 

[Sandy]

Actually, I just play because it's fun. I love my life how it is. (: I'm sure there's tons of people who play for that reason and I don't think it's pathetic at all, Kuma.

[Affray]

Actually, I just play because it's fun. I love my life how it is. (: I'm sure there's tons of people who play for that reason and I don't think it's pathetic at all, Kuma.

Agreed.

I am quite content with my life, but still enjoy the thrill of experiencing another.

Escaping in to a video game is no different than escaping in to a book.

You get pulled in by the story, characters, environment, everything.

The only heavy difference is that you create your own visual world when you read a book, and games lay it all out in front of you to just drink in.

[No-Danico]

Which is why I prefer books to games, games just feel limiting. And why I prefer writing my own book to reading another's, books just feel limiting.

 

And, not to diminish your lives, but in games, you can fight dragons. Same with books and television and movies and a thousand other things. I'm not saying people aren't happy with their lives, not saying you guys aren't happy, I just meant that video games are one of the millions of things people use as a crutch to get by. It could be as simple as watching TV after work or as extreme as a line of cocaine, but people naturally look for fun to break the monotony. And the severity varies, some play just a bit to ease tension while others find a sense of accomplishment they don't get, power over others that they don't have. People play Grand Theft Auto to bash hooker skulls and wreck cars because some little old lady cut them off on their way home and they need a release.

 

It's healthy. The adrenalin produced by a good session of Halo, the same, by-the-way that is produced by watching sports ball, simulates combat and satisfies a primitive instinct we all have in the backs of our reptile brain. Roman gladiatorial games archived a similar effect. Everything in this world that we do because we enjoy it just stimulates some part of the brain, as humans we put them in different categories.

[Mister Sympa]

I agree precicely with Kuma. I don't get to do a whole lot in real life, so I do it vicariously. I've always been obsessed with the idea of magic in particular, and if I can't use it myself, it's brilliant being able to use it in another channel.

[Sandy]

I guess I do sometimes, too, actually. It's just not the only reason. When things are stressful or when I'm sad. I like Animal Crossing for that, no worries, just wandering around pulling weeds and selling oranges to pay off my mortgage. I wish life were that simple.

[Affray]

I guess I do sometimes, too, actually. It's just not the only reason. When things are stressful or when I'm sad. I like Animal Crossing for that, no worries, just wandering around pulling weeds and selling oranges to pay off my mortgage. I wish life were that simple.

It can be, depending on your point of view on life.

[Mister Sympa]

I've ALWAYS wanted to just go out and kill some mosnsters for money. Gimme a sword, I'll earn some cash.

[Affray]

I've ALWAYS wanted to just go out and kill some monsters for money. Gimme a sword, I'll earn some cash.

A massively large sandbox game in which you hunted various creatures (mythical or otherwise) via contract would be sweet.

Monster Hunter pretty much nails it, but there is room for improvement in that game for sure.

[SpleenBeGone]

A massively large sandbox game in which you hunted various creatures (mythical or otherwise) via contract would be sweet.

Monster Hunter pretty much nails it, but there is room for improvement in that game for sure.

If I was to do a game like that, in say RPGMaker (because simple = win), would it have the same effect?

[Affray]

If I was to do a game like that, in say RPGMaker (because simple = win), would it have the same effect?

I have never use RPGMaker, so I don't know it's capabilities.

Would it have a similar effect on my giddyness, yes.

[Wolf]

Sorry guys, didn't mean to derail this thread into a conversation about escapism.

 

 

 

I have never use RPGMaker, so I don't know it's capabilities.

Would it have a similar effect on my giddyness, yes.

 

Think old-Final Fantasy-style event-based engine with 2D sprites, a Side Battle System, and an ATB system [the little action bars that fill up]

 

Personally I think open worlds feel more engaging in 3D, but it would be a great way to prototype the barebones gameplay.

[The Robstar]

Mmmm longevity? 

 

New innovative artistic style maybe? Something unique I guess.

 

The Shin Megami Tensei series is a good example.

 

Spent years playing the typical FPS/action games

 

JRPG's really rock my boat nowadays.

[Big_Willie_Styles]

"Zelda" or "Pokemon" in the title.  They're pretty much the only games I buy new.  Except for Saints Row IV, which was awesome.  (And the only Saints Row game I actually beat.)

[Cassidy]

Decent graphics, decent controls, few glitches, and a decent plot. As long as a game has that I can overlook any nitpicks I have about it.

[seakingtheonixpected]

I've found myself increasingly going to the indie market as of late.

 

The games are cheaper, easier to play in small incriments, and usually are more unique than the sequels that triple A games put out.

 

That isn't to say I don't get triple A games... just ones that came out 2 years ago that are now 10 bucks.