What Makes or Breaks a Video Game (Part 2)

On part one of What Makes or Breaks a Video Game, I explained the three core factors of what makes a good video game; gameplay, graphics, and story. So why must these three concepts go together to make a decent game?

Well firstly, it must be understood that games often concentrate especially more on only one or two of these concepts. Sometimes, a game might have a great story and gameplay mechanics, but the graphics aren't very spectacular. Or even a video game with great graphics and story, but the gameplay isn't very important.

I'll pull up some examples. If you've ever played an anime text-based game, the game likely concentrates on how well everything is drawn as well as the plot and conflict. The gameplay, which would be selecting what your character says or does, is not particularly spectacular.

Or how about Pong! It's revolutionary and exciting gameplay drives the game, not its graphics and (unseen) story.

Every game has their own properties. Just because some of these factors are more spectacular than others, it doesn't mean that this game is bad. But then again, if it tries to build on a factor and instead really tears down the game instead, then yes, this is likely a bad game

Many flash games have great gameplay. Sometimes even great graphics. But when developers try to build on a story when they really don't need to, the quality of this game really just plummets.

So just keep these things in mind when you're judging a video game. It can really open up your perspective on how a good a game actually is.

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!

Flash Games, a Cheap Rip of Real Games?

Many of us, as children, were likely introduced to computer gaming by simple flash games made by a single or a small group of developers. Such games are usually simple, have basic game-play, and a pretty straight-forward story, if there is any.

As we get older, some of us simply give up gaming. Some of us continue to pursue online gaming to several new levels.

But the question here is, are flash games really games?

Personally, I don't think flash games are something to be waved away without further examination. However, the simple majority of flash games, suck.

Screenshot of Bloons Tower Defense 4

I mean, search for "free online flash games" and you'll be overwhelmed by sites which offer several thousand free flash games. Randomly choose a site and game, and you'll be bored within minutes. Many of these flash games have little to no development and barely any thought into it. And I'll bet you that game is swarming with advertisements.

Now, there are exceptions. Flash games do own their own category of games. Let's ignore all the sucky flash games for a moment. You're left with a small few that really can amaze you, and can even rival games made for portable and console games.

I'll give you a few examples:

1. Sierra 7. A first person shooter, featuring very detailed weapons, smooth 3D environment, and stickmen.
2. Bubble Tanks 2. A very simple shooter game with simple graphics and addicting game-play.
3. Little Wheel. A game that doesn't focus so much on game-play, but more so on the plot and story as well as the graphics.

Flash games can really be quite amazing depending on the time and effort that was put into creating the game.

If you'd like to try some relatively high quality flash gaming sites, I recommend Kongregate (all the games listed above are played on Kongregate) and Armor Games.

It's unfortunate that so many flash games are low quality, that they tarnish the very name. But just please don't forget and ignore the ones that are truly creative and fun.

Minecraft, It's Here!

Minecraft, a small indie game that somehow caught the attention of some many people of varying ages. A year after, this game has become one of the most simplistic yet enjoyable games so far.

And now it's coming to Xbox 360! With no features taken out from its original PC game, this version of Minecraft will almost have no difference from it's earlier version.

So why be so excited for this new Minecraft? Here's why:

1. It's Minecraft. And Minecraft is cool.
2. There will be exclusive secrets for the Xbox 360 version.
3. Planned to have 4-player splitscreen.
4. 8-player maximum players online.

Here's a game trailer by Minecraft's creaters.


According to the Minecraft Wiki, it has been leaked that there the price of this new Minecraft will be between 800 to 1200 Microsoft Points, which is roughly equivalent to about $16.

So far, this seems like a great deal. The Xbox 360 version of Minecraft is rumored to be release later this month, so let's cross our fingers and see!

A Quick Look at Facebook Games

Facebook and gaming goes together like a fly on tape.

Having an account on Facebook gives users access to a huge network of games. Many popular games or gaming portals offered to associate themselves with Facebook giving users quick access to registering for games. There are also many games designed specifically for Facebook.

In a quick glance, there's Runescape, IJJI, and Habbo Hotel which gave Facebook users instant access into their games. Then there are the really Facebook games such as Farmville and Texas Hold'em Poker.

The original big games are still really the same before Facebook came in, though I imagine they've enjoyed a large surge of new users due to their Facebook accounts. But those other social games are real killers.

They are games that can become very addicting as these games focus on user's social network. For example, the popular Facebook game, Farmville, relies on building and growing a farm with the help of your friends. Such games progress with daily tender and from daily help from friends.

And this makes players have an urge to bring in more friends in order to help them advance in the game. Once their newly brought in friend immerses themselves in the community, they bring in their own friends, and this pattern continues.

When given some thought, these games really have an evil yet ingenious way to bring in new players and to keep them from leaving. Good job!

Personally, I find Facebook-based games somewhat tasteless and repetitive, but to each their own!