Have Graphics killed Gameplay?

jmur · 05-01-2006, 08:34 AM

I see a lot of games on the market now a days that only seem to have graphics going for them. I think not enough time now a days is spent on other aspects of the game. Too much time on graphics. When you go to the store you will see so many bad games that look good. I mean I think the 3-D era was a good and bad thing. I don't care how good a game looks, but if it sucks I won't buy it.

Now I have played Fight Night Round 3 for the 360 which is a good game but it has flaws. First off the speed is not quick enough. It should've been faster. I think they focused too much on the graphics aspect and did not adress the slowness of the game. I like the game but I wouldn't buy it because it just doesn't feel like a fast moving game like how it should be. It seems like you can't punch that fast in the game.

What do all of you think? A lot of companies focus on graphics and not enough towards gameplay.

-Xu- · 05-01-2006, 08:46 AM

It is true that most companies would rather knock out a bad game with good graphics, rather than concentrating on gameplay. But if the customers buy them (which they do ) the cycle will never end.
Things like movie spin offs arent usually good but because the TV advert looks Ok most people will jump in and buy it. For every smart person who realizes that 'Crazy Frog Racer' is just a pathetic spin off from a terrible ringtone there ( I guarntee) will be 5 people who'll buy it for whatever reason they see.
So basically its our fault companies care more about graphics than gameplay

Pacman · 05-01-2006, 10:16 AM

I think somewhat. Companys spend more time making the game look pretty but not enough time on the gameplay. Then, there are people who think a game has to have great graphics to be good.

Loki · 05-01-2006, 10:32 AM

There will always be purely eyecandy games; it's the nature of the gaming corporate beast, either make money with innovation or eyecandy.

I think the 3D era is working out for the best. Some of the best games (gameplay wise) have come from 3D games. Honestly, there is no game in the 2D era you can compare to, Devil May Cry's gameplay, for example. It's just not possible to compare them because there are a shitload of factors to consider in 3D games when doing the gameplay. 2D era had it easy. Jump, Shoot, and Movement, It was either from above or side-scrolling, you couldn't do much with 2D.

Ted Zanarukando · 05-01-2006, 12:30 PM

I do not think graphics or audio kill gameplay, and I loathe assumptions that a game with great graphics is all about graphics. I consider some RPGs that have been praised for their graphics in recent years to be underrated for gameplay, such as Final Fantasy X and X-2. Later critics of Final Fantasy X do not have the same negative opinion as many of the earlier critics.

ash2k · 05-01-2006, 02:32 PM

I disagree that graphics kill gameplay I mean I think graphics add to the experience of the gameplay the make the world more relastic that you are playing in IMO thats why I personally like the later FF games then the older FF games because they are different worlds I mean I can't the difference between the older FF games because the worlds all look the same thats just my opinion sorry it probably won't be a shared opinion but its mine

No graphics don't kill gameplay

Ted Zanarukando · 05-01-2006, 02:36 PM

That's good ash2k. It is pointless to believe that graphics spoil gameplay, storyline, or any other important attribute. Those who believe that are called elitist old school fanboys. That is like trying to live in the past.

Grizzly · 05-01-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braska Spira

That's good ash2k. It is pointless to believe that graphics spoil gameplay, storyline, or any other important attribute. Those who believe that are called elitist old school fanboys. That is like trying to live in the past.

Of course it is, to an extent. A good example of a good game that was fun and looked amazing is Onimusha. They get huge budgets for a great 3D and CGI graphics along with an amazing musical score. BUT, you do not see many other games with great graphics and score doing so well. Now, my personal opinion on this matter is that it is not exactly the games...it's the new companies getting into the gaming industry.

Old companies like Capcom, Square, and the ones who made great games in the past continue to strive because they know what we like and how to imply it into good gaming, but these new companies are jumping right in and screwing it all up. These noobie companies know shit about making games so they focus on that eye-candy. And then there's people who are celebs making their own video games that turn out so bad! It's like an actor getting into the music business because they think they can sing (Eddie Murphy for example). But other than that, the new-gen consoles have bring a new perspective to gaming with such power. Another problem with that though is that a lot of companies going from 2D to 3D was a difficult thing and it's hard to build on a new format without much knowledge.

The PS2, Dreamcast, XBOX, Gamecube, all of them were just a test trial IMO. They needed to understand the amazing effects of the machinery to get a better grasp. So now with these new-gens coming out I have a feeling games will become much better with a better understanding, but there will always be dumbass companies trying to make good games and people with too much money on their hands using the dumbass companies to make their shitty games, so it's inevitable.

OnOneRyder · 05-01-2006, 04:05 PM

You should expect graphics to take the driver's seat for the next year or so as many game company's primary goals are to proove they can take advantage of the great abilities of the latest games. There's a reason you rarely see huge hits within the first few months of a console release.

Setzer · 05-01-2006, 05:08 PM

Well it's sad but true, graphics are the main aspect of what people believe to be the most important aspect of the game. Games like GTA SA have baaaaad graphics and are not good at all, but to tell you the truth I'd rather play that than I would a game that's just a rip off, but has nicer graphics. I like games for the wholness of it, music, story, plot, characters, everything, but graphics are not really needed to much. Yes I would rather have a wonderful game with great graphics as well but I still really don't care to much about it, I can handle bad graphics, it's the game I have to like as a whole.

Removed · 05-01-2006, 05:38 PM

It's only when games companies focus more on Graphics and not Gameplay that they let their customers down.

Unfortunately it's pretty much the culture in which we live that regards style over substance. You see it everywhere from TV/Movie stars to food to Hollywood to Video Games.

In the days of the SNES and such there was only so much that you could do with grapics, so the games companies were forced to put their efforts into making a game playable and fun, nowadays they concentrate too hard on making it look shiny and new they forget that people actually have to enjoy playing the games, rather than just enjoy looking at them.

That's why there are as many truly great and classic games from the "old school" era of the Atari ST to the SNES as there are today, if not more.

They think that only because they can make games in 3D that they should as it will somehow make them better, they're being short-sighted.

Crazy Chocobo · 05-01-2006, 06:11 PM

I don't think graphics kill gameplay. For me, it has to have a good storyline. Graphics are always a good thing in a game but I don't think they are the most important. The classic FF games don't have great grahpics but the storyline makes up for that and I still think they are very entertaining games. Some games have superb graphics but the gameplay isn't that good. Old school games haven't got the best graphics but they are still awesome to play. Audio doesn't kill gameplay either in my opinion, even though it is really good when a game does have a nice soundtrack to it. It makes the game sound more appealing to play. Some music tends to get on your nerves though. Some voice overs in games are done very well but some aren't so great. I don't think it really kills gameplay though. It depends on what you like.

Chez Daja · 05-01-2006, 07:08 PM

I may be bad for saying this, but graphics mean a great deal to me. If the game is pixally and has bad graphics, there's about a 90% chance I'm not going to pick it up. The only game with worse graphics then PS2 standard that I will play, is Silent Hill 1.

I know gameplay ismeant to be more important, but my game collection is mostly a bunch of horror games, and my favoured games are definately the ones with better graphics.

05-01-2006, 07:27 PM

I think if a game is great then it doesn't "need" good graphics to compensate for anything. Of course I like playing games that are fun to watch. I mean...FF 10 has great graphics, and a slightly worse gameplay then 7, but watching the movies in it are breathtaking. Maybe it is just me being a girl, but I enjoy great graphic more than a terrific game. Either way , if I am playing it, I am playing it. Besides, don't we watch some movies now an days that are purely eyecandy? I , however, like FF 7 slightly more because of the game play, but for other games I say it really doesn't matter. Just as long as you enjoy yourself.