by Silviera

Created on: September 18, 2008

Everyone likes it when a game looks good, but that's not why we play them.

In terms of making a great game, only one thing is required from the graphics. They must allow the player to know exactly what is happening in the game world. In other words, if some guy pulls out a gun and shoots somebody else you should be able to recognize every object and realize what each movement signifies.

There are times where graphics directly influence gameplay. Comparing a 2D and a 3D game is a good example of this. 3D games have an extra dimension to move around in, which can both help or impede the gameplay depending on how well it is programmed. Anyone who's played anything from the N64 and PS1 era is well aware of 3D versions of classic games butchering the fun of the 2D counterparts with clunky controls, bad camera angles, and pretty much a complete lack of all the elements that made those classic games fun.

Let's take a look at some of the first 3D games that were critically acclaimed. Mario 64, Starfox 64, and Final Fantasy 7 are all examples of prominent series first adventures into full 3D graphics. Now think back on these three games, what was it that made them fun? By today's standards, the graphics on all three are quite poor, but what these games really did was take their 3D environments and create fun and involving gameplay. They used them to expand upon their 2D roots, building on what made the previous installments fun and adding elements that were impossible in a strict 2D world.

The only time that graphics truly impress me are when a developer uses them to their advantage to extend gameplay or paint a picture of a vivid and unique world. A good modern day example of this would be Okami on the PS2 and Wii, which depicts a world painted like a Japanese watercolor scroll. It even allows the player to paint on the screen with a calligraphy brush in order to transform the world in various ways.

It's true that a lot of gamers take graphics into account when buying games. Some probably rely on graphics more than they should, as they're likely missing out on a lot of games that are a lot more fun because the developers have focused on engaging gameplay rather than breathtaking graphics.

Some of the most fun and creative games out there are made by small independent gaming teams who can't afford big budget graphics but have the talent and drive to reinvent gameplay mechanics to create things not present in mainstream games that spend a lot of time and money on trying to make their product as good looking as possible.

The bottom line is that a game is meant to be played, not watched.

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