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What is it that initially sparks your interest in a game?
Well there can be many reasons. Perhaps it's the development team behind the game? Perhaps it's the hype surrounding it's forthcoming release? Perhaps it's just simply that it's an update of one of your favourite titles? I suppose the list just goes on and on.
But for me personally, the major element that sparks my interest in a new game is the visual style.
When you think about it, how many games just look the same as other previous releases? The typical FPS graphics for instance: the clinical facility, the gloomly medieval labyrinth, the plush skyscraper - it's all been seen a hundred times before. The same can be said of Racers, Beat-Em-Ups, RPGs - in fact, any genre you care to mention.
Of course a unique approach to graphical design does not mean the game is going to be any good - gameplay, sound, music, plot, etc are just as important, that goes without saying - but in a time when graphics are generally of a good standard, it is the originality of the overall visual look that can really make a new game stand out from the crowd. Just think about how the cel-shaded graphics of Jet Set Radio have influenced the games industry - even Miyamoto has adopted this technique for the new Zelda game.
In this day and age we are all probably a little guilty of taking good graphics for granted. In the PSone and N64 era, graphics swayed from being half decent to really poor, but with the arrival of the next-gen consoles, the fear of aweful graphics has been almost completely dispelled.
So in the here and now, what are our expectations when it comes to graphics?
Obviously we want them to be of a certain quality, but I think we also want them to have style and charisma, a unique twist beyond the normal: something we haven't really seen before - something that will make us really sit up and take notice.
Well there can be many reasons. Perhaps it's the development team behind the game? Perhaps it's the hype surrounding it's forthcoming release? Perhaps it's just simply that it's an update of one of your favourite titles? I suppose the list just goes on and on.
But for me personally, the major element that sparks my interest in a new game is the visual style.
When you think about it, how many games just look the same as other previous releases? The typical FPS graphics for instance: the clinical facility, the gloomly medieval labyrinth, the plush skyscraper - it's all been seen a hundred times before. The same can be said of Racers, Beat-Em-Ups, RPGs - in fact, any genre you care to mention.
Of course a unique approach to graphical design does not mean the game is going to be any good - gameplay, sound, music, plot, etc are just as important, that goes without saying - but in a time when graphics are generally of a good standard, it is the originality of the overall visual look that can really make a new game stand out from the crowd. Just think about how the cel-shaded graphics of Jet Set Radio have influenced the games industry - even Miyamoto has adopted this technique for the new Zelda game.
In this day and age we are all probably a little guilty of taking good graphics for granted. In the PSone and N64 era, graphics swayed from being half decent to really poor, but with the arrival of the next-gen consoles, the fear of aweful graphics has been almost completely dispelled.
So in the here and now, what are our expectations when it comes to graphics?
Obviously we want them to be of a certain quality, but I think we also want them to have style and charisma, a unique twist beyond the normal: something we haven't really seen before - something that will make us really sit up and take notice.
A ridiculous array of weapons is always a sign of a good game. Or one thats like a film (MOH:AA) but is not officially based on one. Most games actually based of films turn out to be crap.
In a way I agree with what you're saying.
The way a game looks - it's visual style - is initially very important.
Like you, JSR caught my eye for this reason.
But at the end of the day it's the gameplay by which a game stands or falls.
The way a game looks - it's visual style - is initially very important.
Like you, JSR caught my eye for this reason.
But at the end of the day it's the gameplay by which a game stands or falls.
I think that for me, it's mainly the ideas put into the game that interests me most. And also, your objectives and what you have to achieve.
The style of game is also quite imoportant. If I see an RPG advertised or review, I just simply HAVE to find out more!
Playing the game, or even seeing clips of it can also grab my attention.
Poor grpahics and visuals can put me off slightly, but not enough for me to not buy the game all-together.
The Italian Job is an example of this.
The graphics and movements look quite jerky and a bit poor, but the idea of the game and what you have to do interests me.
I don't have this game yet, but i'm sure i'll get it in the near future.
The style of game is also quite imoportant. If I see an RPG advertised or review, I just simply HAVE to find out more!
Playing the game, or even seeing clips of it can also grab my attention.
Poor grpahics and visuals can put me off slightly, but not enough for me to not buy the game all-together.
The Italian Job is an example of this.
The graphics and movements look quite jerky and a bit poor, but the idea of the game and what you have to do interests me.
I don't have this game yet, but i'm sure i'll get it in the near future.
What is it that initially sparks your interest in a game?
Well there can be many reasons. Perhaps it's the development team behind the game? Perhaps it's the hype surrounding it's forthcoming release? Perhaps it's just simply that it's an update of one of your favourite titles? I suppose the list just goes on and on.
But for me personally, the major element that sparks my interest in a new game is the visual style.
When you think about it, how many games just look the same as other previous releases? The typical FPS graphics for instance: the clinical facility, the gloomly medieval labyrinth, the plush skyscraper - it's all been seen a hundred times before. The same can be said of Racers, Beat-Em-Ups, RPGs - in fact, any genre you care to mention.
Of course a unique approach to graphical design does not mean the game is going to be any good - gameplay, sound, music, plot, etc are just as important, that goes without saying - but in a time when graphics are generally of a good standard, it is the originality of the overall visual look that can really make a new game stand out from the crowd. Just think about how the cel-shaded graphics of Jet Set Radio have influenced the games industry - even Miyamoto has adopted this technique for the new Zelda game.
In this day and age we are all probably a little guilty of taking good graphics for granted. In the PSone and N64 era, graphics swayed from being half decent to really poor, but with the arrival of the next-gen consoles, the fear of aweful graphics has been almost completely dispelled.
So in the here and now, what are our expectations when it comes to graphics?
Obviously we want them to be of a certain quality, but I think we also want them to have style and charisma, a unique twist beyond the normal: something we haven't really seen before - something that will make us really sit up and take notice.
Well there can be many reasons. Perhaps it's the development team behind the game? Perhaps it's the hype surrounding it's forthcoming release? Perhaps it's just simply that it's an update of one of your favourite titles? I suppose the list just goes on and on.
But for me personally, the major element that sparks my interest in a new game is the visual style.
When you think about it, how many games just look the same as other previous releases? The typical FPS graphics for instance: the clinical facility, the gloomly medieval labyrinth, the plush skyscraper - it's all been seen a hundred times before. The same can be said of Racers, Beat-Em-Ups, RPGs - in fact, any genre you care to mention.
Of course a unique approach to graphical design does not mean the game is going to be any good - gameplay, sound, music, plot, etc are just as important, that goes without saying - but in a time when graphics are generally of a good standard, it is the originality of the overall visual look that can really make a new game stand out from the crowd. Just think about how the cel-shaded graphics of Jet Set Radio have influenced the games industry - even Miyamoto has adopted this technique for the new Zelda game.
In this day and age we are all probably a little guilty of taking good graphics for granted. In the PSone and N64 era, graphics swayed from being half decent to really poor, but with the arrival of the next-gen consoles, the fear of aweful graphics has been almost completely dispelled.
So in the here and now, what are our expectations when it comes to graphics?
Obviously we want them to be of a certain quality, but I think we also want them to have style and charisma, a unique twist beyond the normal: something we haven't really seen before - something that will make us really sit up and take notice.