Value in games - is it defined by fun or technical prowess?

[eastyy]

For me next gen is when we have more interaction with the enviroment as hinted by half life 2 and oblivion

Like not being barred entrance by a flimsy wooden door but can blast through it.I did hear that the new FPS forgot the name but its based in the fall out of the chernobyl disaster. Materials will have there own properties so you can shoot people hiding behind a wooden wall

[Shozuki]

naturally as mentioned Gameplay is king, because its essentially timeless, but I would expect the game to present itself well. The best example of recent times for me is Resident Evil 4. You felt love pouring from it everywhere, AND it looked awesome - probably the best looking GC/PS2 game ever.

I think in times gone past - Gameplay came first, and presentation was an optional extra, but as time has progressed both are a must, its simply laziness to leave out one or the other. At least thats my opinion

[Nakano]

A games worth is most definitely defined by the gameplay to people who plays games. But partly technical too, I loved Resi 4, Lunar 1 + 2 and final fantasy games, but I doubt I'd like it as much if they looked like C64 games. I mean the gameplay is still there, but I just won't have as much fun in discovering new areas.

[bingowings]

another one for me is 'Getting Up' - universally despised in it's reviews - i think it's worth every penny and tremendous fun to play and look at (mainly because i'm a graf nut).

the engine is creaky, and the combat just a half-assed upgrade from the Buffy game (which i also love) but it just ticks all the boxes when i'm playing it.

[Concept]

It's defined by atmosphere to me. All to do with how a game feels rather than being fun or technical etc.

[Concept]

Oblivion to me is worth more than the ?50 I paid for it, not because it's technically excellent (which it is) but because of the love and care that has gone into the game. The four of development in the game can be clearly felt.

You really think it's technically excellent? Oblivion is by no means a slouch, but in my opinion, it's already beginning to show signs of aging. What I'm amazed by in the game is the sheer weight of the attention to detail. Much the same reasons Shenmue will always continue to impress me.

[buster_broon]

It's defined by atmosphere to me. All to do with how a game feels rather than being fun or technical etc.

i would agree witht hat but fun is still essential

Chiki Chiki boys is an old platormer but has atmosphere (artwork within the game) and its just a joy to play

Splatterhouse games - amazing Atmosphere and brilliant fun

[Concept]

I know what you're saying, but the likes of Silent Hill etc. aren't really fun. For large portions (until you get into the right mindset) the likes of Shenmue and Killer7 aren't exactly 'fun' in the traditional sense of the word. They're engrossing, sure, but not necessarily fun in the same way that say Super Monkey Ball or Vib Ribbon instantly are.

Anything which has a tangible vibe/aftertaste when the console has been switched off is a game I'll more often than not come back to.

[Darwock]

I'm sure I'll burn in hell for saying it but I enjoyed FF7 a lot more than FF6, despite seeing the same depth of gameplay in FF6. It just didn't have the impact, Kefka was never more than a comedy character to me, and I only looked at him differently at the end battle (with the huge drawn sprite). Plus the towns and dungeons were just horrible messes to look at.

You need a compromise of everything to get the best game you can (otherwise why don't all us RPG fans go back to text adventures?)

[Concept]

FFVII is another game with an amazing atmosphere. As are it's two compatriots from that time in the shape of Saga and Ocarina.

96-98. What a time to have been a gamer.

[EJG1980]

I have to agree with the people saying that atmosphere plays a big part in what makes a game great. I'd have to admit that I'd overlook average gameplay if a game has an amazing atmosphere or storyline.

Back when the first Resident Evil came out, I never actually enjoyed playing it that much, but I would sit and watch my brother playing it just so I could enjoy the hillarious voice acting and b-movie plot. So I guess there's more than one way to enjoy a game, even if the gameplay doesn't grab you.

Of course, as others have said, it's nice to have a game where everything about it is great!

[MattyD]

It's got to be about gameplay, first and foremost. Techical prowess can add immensely to a product, and can give that certain sense of awe at the human inginuity and achievement, but a game that's all about tech ends up playing like a tech demo. Case in point - Doom 3. Super advanced shaders, mapping, yada yada, but I'd still rather play the original. Finding other examples of games that have tried and failed to succeed off their technical or superficial trappings alone is like shooting fish in a barrell.

When the tech is there, it also has to be useful and have some impact on the game to be worthwhile. If Bungie used the Halo engine to make a formulaic coridoor shooter, would we still remember their name today? I don't think so.

[eastyy]

Metal gear solid 2 is a example for me
It is a fun game but they just overwhelmed the game in plot and cutscenes.
In the end i was just thinking good for a film not so much for a game.

They should have reigned in a bit and made the balance between game and cutscenes better

[Brats]

You really think it's technically excellent? Oblivion is by no means a slouch, but in my opinion, it's already beginning to show signs of aging. What I'm amazed by in the game is the sheer weight of the attention to detail. Much the same reasons Shenmue will always continue to impress me.

In terms of the number of things going on in the world outside of the player's viewpoint, it is the most technically accomplished game I've ever played. I recently had a mission where an NPC was forced to leave one city and travel to another. In any other game, the character would have disappeared and then magically re-appeared at his destination. In Obblivion he walked there every step of the way. I know this because I followed him.

On another occasion, a magical weapon I had dropped due to weight had disappeared when I went back to get it. Much later, I came across a bandit, slew him and behond he had my weapon. I know it was mine because I had named it 'Brats Big Sword'. The character was smashing me over the head with my own weapon!

For a game to feature so many NPCs and keep track of them all at any one time is a massive technical achievment.

[buster_broon]

I know what you're saying, but the likes of Silent Hill etc. aren't really fun. For large portions (until you get into the right mindset) the likes of Shenmue and Killer7 aren't exactly 'fun' in the traditional sense of the word. They're engrossing, sure, but not necessarily fun in the same way that say Super Monkey Ball or Vib Ribbon instantly are.

but they have fun elements

for example, Shenmue, didnt you buy all those sega toy capsules just to see what you would get, what about playing Ryo's Saturn or going down the arcades

fun elements, i agree some games cant have them and Silent hill as mentioned is one of them

but thats because of the story and setting

Bought myself a Japanese PSone just so i could play some of the shooters that do the system justice, but since i've had it all i've played it Metal Gear solid - because of the atmosphere and i find it a fun game to play

you mentioned the Atmosphere is Ocarina but again finding all the Skullutas and riding EPONA can be fun