What Makes or Breaks a Video Game (Part 1)

Every video game is based on three major core factors. These factors are what makes or breaks a video game.

1. Gameplay

I mean, this is what gaming is all about right? Gameplay, simply put, is what you do in a game!

Obviously, every game has their own gameplay structure. However, the quality of this gameplay is judged upon how unique, challenging, and entertaining it is.

For example. A first-person shooter is great, but does it take the step further and allow extra features such as stealth kills, executions, or even mercy? How about a farming game where you don't simply just plow and plant, but instead decorate your farm with the help of friends (Farmville)?

Every game almost always uses ideas from past games, but there's nothing wrong with that as long as they add their own unique touch. But the games that simply take other ideas and put no creativity into, are simply, lame.

2. Graphics

Graphics are the art surrounding the game environment. There have been many video games that might as well be pieces of visual art as they are simply so beautifully drawn, they're, well beautiful!

This factor might not necessarily get a few nods from hardcore, retro gamers. Classic games such as Pong or Pacman were very pixelated and have generally bad graphics compared to today's games.

But this is still a very important factor. Look at games from the Fable and Final Fantasy series. A turn around the corner in the world of Albion (Fable) gives you a breathtaking sight of trees and gleaming sunlight. Even the old NES Final Fantasy games had "good" graphics as it was very artistic and appealing on how the pixels were distributed.

Don't take the graphic factor lightly. It is a major component in every video game.

3. Story

The story is actually quite a touchy subject that gamers really don't think enough about. Times have changed. From the time of Pong, games were largely driven by the gameplay factor. However, at this gaming era, having a solid story and plot can really change the success of a video game.

Let's look at Pong. You hit a ball back and forth. Gameplay driven, no plot.

Let's look at Super Mario. This turtle guy kidnaps a princess, and you're this Italien plumber who travels to several unique worlds to rescue her. Much more compelling than many may think.

And now let's look at the Halo trilogy. Halo is a shining example of how the story factor makes such a significant yet subtle impact on the game. Throughout ten years (so far), Halo has grown from a sci-fi shooter to a very (lengthy) sci-fi story. With between the line details of history back (a long time ago) to the game's present time at 2553 (so far), Halo has a huge storyline and very complicated plot.

Many Halo players simply enjoy the game for its sci-fi shooter, which is perfectly fine. But the reason behind the ridiculously long lines at comic-cons and Halo releases is due to the game's backstory.

Off the top of my head, The Elder Scrolls, Fable, Fallout, Assassin's Creed all have very compelling backstories and because of this, makes the game so much more enjoyable.

So why are these three factors so important to work together in a game? Keep reading and learn!