What Makes A Game Enjoyable To Me

I thought I'd take some time to enlighten any who would read this as to why I think games are good or bad. We all have different points-of-view when it comes to liking or disliking something - for video games it's no different.

You see, I enjoy a game with a great story or a story you can craft yourself through intricate decisions within the game. Being able to change events within a game (even to the slightest) lets me feel like I make a difference in the game no matter how small that change may be. Choice is a big attention-grabbing factor in today's games - as it should! It gives the gamer a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of power knowing they control the fate of their character and the world around them.

Another turning point for me is the gameplay. Do the controls make sense in the initial layout - I shouldn't have to change my controls right off the bat, although some people do because they're picky. If I find it difficult to play the game with the controls given to me, I begin to reconsider. If I can adapt to them easily, I don't mind that much. I guess what I'm saying is if I have to reach across the keyboard for an important key-binding, the developer in charge of this needs a swift kick in the rear for being a goof. Does the gameplay flow smoothly? From puzzle solving to sword swinging to explosion making, nothing should feel heavy, slow, or lazy. You know what I'm talking about. I'm sure you've encountered a game where a jumping animation took far to long to complete or swinging your weapon felt like forever.

Those are the most important to me, but another 1-up factor for me is music - is it annoying and repetitive throughout the game, or does it enhance the perception intake combined with graphics and gameplay? Although it's not the most important as there are often options to turn music off, I don't feel as though I should turn it all the way down for any game (though for some I do).

I don't focus on the graphics as much as some gamers do, because I feel as though you don't need the most high-def camera to tell a story through a photograph. Sure I like when the scenery looks nice and pretty and realistic, but I end up turning my graphics to medium just so I can smooth out my gameplay - I'm not focused on how many ripples are made in the water if it's raining, because that doesn't have anything to do with my travels across a river or the dragon above me or, or, or.

I guess these are just some things I take into account when I "review" games, even for myself. They're not in any particular order - just in the order of my thoughts. A rant of sorts, albeit informational and highly opinionated.

Game On!