Comments on: What Makes a Game: Part III - The Graphics

By: Mercedes

Mercedes — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:27:25 +0000

Oh, man. My friend told me he saw his friend playing COD4 and thought it was a movie, and I believe it. And in MGS4, the way the characters’ clothes ripple while they’re near a chopper? Seriously, my heart melted. I feel you.

By: Shunal

Shunal — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:06:17 +0000

Sure, if developers don’t sacrifice gameplay or story for graphics like they did with Crysis, good graphics are always a welcome change. The main reason I play TF2 is because of the toon graphics. I just don’t like realistic graphics at all.

By: Weasel

Weasel — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:54:50 +0000

I am in complete agreement on this one. Yes, a game with nothing but flash is bad, but good graphics make an experience that bit more delicious and immersive - I am certain I’d not be quite as drawn into Mass Effect if it wasn’t so damn pretty.

By: vlad

*vlad* — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:28:41 +0000

Back in the 80s when most of us were playing Crazy Kong and games of that ilk, along to the arcade came laser-disc games. These had incredible graphics, but unfortunately were complete rubbish. They didn’t last long.

Nowadays we can have the graphics as well as the gameplay, but unfortunately when manufacturers (and console maufacturers in particular) bring out new systems, everyone expects that games on that system must be pushing the graphical envelope to the max. If it isn’t then reviewers start crying that ‘it may as well be on the PS2, why should I spend my money on this?’.

What we often end up with is a beautiful-looking game, but shoddy gameplay. Is it too much to ask for both?

By: Monique

Monique — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:22:19 +0000

It’s a shame that some series put graphics first, then others totally ignore graphics. Zelda’s one of the few constants graphicwise; their cellshaded stuff gave it a lot of character, too.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:48:49 +0000

Graphics matter sooooooo much in games, but so do controls. Team Fortress 2 is one of my favorite newer releases for its graphics and controls - it’s a win-win, no doubt.

By: RiotMonster

RiotMonster — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:59:47 +0000

“Yes, I admit it. The water effects in Bioshock make me happy. They are pretty. They are, well, watery. Sometimes I would just stop and admire them for a while, before moving on. I love water, I love grass, I love blowing hair and realistic movement.”

Thats so me! I always just sit there looking at the grass move and stuff. They have to want us to do that.. I mean they put SO MUCH DETAIL into that crap.. you gotta admire it. They spend, like 50 million hours just animating leaves waving..

I’m not a graphic whore though.. it wont make or break a game in most cases.. but I do try to appreciate the good graphics when I see em. Even with cel-shaded, I love how perfectly it flows.