Do you think graphics really matter?

Danomano89

Danomano89

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Ok, good question - do you think graphics are that important in a game? Like can you not even play old gen games because they look like chicken nuggests (FFVII) and what not? Sound off.
 
[quote name='Danomano89']Ok, good question - do you think graphics are that important in a game? Like can you not even play old gen games because they look like chicken nuggests (FFVII) and what not? Sound off.[/quote]

Did you just comment that your own question was a good question?
 
No, graphics don't matter. Companies have probably been trying relentlessly to improve them over the last 30 years for fun. No one really actually cares.
 
[quote name='SpazX']Did you just comment that your own question was a good question?[/QUOTE]

well, to his credit it is the question of our time
 
Nope, I sold all my next gen consoles and currently only have a ds and super nintendo. I have as much fun, but I dont have to shell out massive amounts of cash for a good game.
 
They definitely matter. A game can be good without having good graphics, but that doesn't change the fact that good graphics definitely help.
 
Obviously graphics don't matter that much because the Wii is whooping everyone's ass. Graphics are a nice extra though.
 
[quote name='Danomano89']Ok, good question[/QUOTE]
I stopped reading right there.

I think it's the reader's decisions wether or not your question is a good question. And in my opinion it's not.

Some games are good because they're fun and addictive, some games are good because they are emotionally compelling and immersive, some games are good because they are beautiful and artistic. Graphics are only as good as what they set out to accomplish, it's how a game accomplishes what it sets out to do that makes it good (and what it was it set out to accomplish).
 
[quote name='ToasterOven']Obviously graphics don't matter that much because the Wii is whooping everyone's ass. Graphics are a nice extra though.[/QUOTE]
How do you explain everyone complaining about Cruisin? There's a limit to how crappy the graphics can be.
 
Well for next gen you except it to have good graphics or at least I do. Old gaming like snes really isn't good graphics,but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the games. I really rather have fun with a game as it to be so pretty, and suck. :)
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']And that's saying something!


ZIIIIIING![/QUOTE]
Not sure what you're intending to imply, but I like zinging sounds.... at least a bit more than asinine forum topics.
 
I think they do to an extent. I think some people overreact when it comes to graphics though. I mean the N64 - PS1 gen doesn't look too hot now and some of those games show their age, but some of those games up until the current gen are good enough for me.

I also find it funny how a lot of people swear by graphics and then go and play geometry wars or puzzle quest or something.
 
My taste in games is much like my taste in women. Do looks matter? Yes, but not that much - there is much more to it than just appearance.
 
[quote name='xdl']My taste in games is much like my taste in women. Do looks matter? Yes, but not that much - there is much more to it than just appearance.[/quote]

Like whether or not they have the herp...? What are you getting at here?
 
Everything matters.

Gameplay, graphics... the whole thing.

Think about it this way, you may be all about looks with a woman, or you may settle down with a woman who may not look like angelina jolie, but has a great personality... either way... one of those have to matter.

Great games, with low graphics --- do you still think Pac-Man is fun... well there you go... She's like an older woman, simple, to the point, not all that great on the eyes anymore, but she's classy and classic. Like Diane Keaton...

But you could play something like Doom 3, she's hot, sexy, you cant wait to show all your friends you got something like her... but when you get her home, you cant have a conversation with her cause she's a bitch. Think, Vida Guerra.

There's always a give and take, and it's something you learn with age. You always end up sacrificing one for another, and there is very rarely an answer in black in white. Life is mostly in grays. Give it time, and in the meantime, play all games accordingly and make your own judgements.
 
I think graphics is very important but for different reasons depending on the genere.

RPG: They are important if the entire game isn't one big FMV. It can grow attachment with the characters along side great writing. Most likely the least important in genre terms. Though to gain that "epic" feel, graphics will always help that the most.

FPS: Extremely important, I could play doom and wolfenstien back in the day but I couldn't really do it now. The graphics need to be smooth and have a great framerate for me. I can usually tell the quality of the FPS by the quality of work they did on the graphics.

Action/Adventure: Important as well. Let me feel like I am in a dark dungeon or a climbing a mountain or something. Make the world feel epic in nature. Or for sneaking games, make it realistic looking so it helps the tension. Make it more movie like.

Platform: Not as much. Graphics are important when it comes to options a platformer can offer you. Though level design will always be the most important.

Strategy: Not a big deal. Just let me see my troops, have a great framerate and make some nice explosions and your set. I rather have balance and good pacing.

Fighting: A mixed bag. A great looking fighter is always good but it comes down to mechanics. Dead or Alive goods great but is very shallow. Virtua Fighter is great looking and the mechanics is amazing. Though I would still play Virtua fighter if graphics are so-so but the mechanics are there.

Sports: Very important. Framerate, fluid of movement are key here. I really couldn't get into sports games until this generation. I want to play game that simulates the actually games. When I turn my basketball player around I don't want him to magically glide in circles. Have him turn naturally. Let me see the big hit in football or the great soccer goal.

Racing: Mixed bag. I would say, similar to fighters it comes down to mechanics. So far games with great graphics have a lot of depth too. Though I would think a game with so-so graphics with great racing action and depth will always win out.

My brief little opinion on this subject.
 
[quote name='jkam']I also find it funny how a lot of people swear by graphics and then go and play geometry wars or puzzle quest or something.[/QUOTE]
Geometry Wars and Puzzle Quest look great. Geometry Wars has the best graphics of any game in years.
 
[quote name='PyroGamer']Geometry Wars and Puzzle Quest look great. Geometry Wars has the best graphics of any game in years.[/QUOTE]

Ok, the games look great (and I've actually logged huge hours into both on the 360), but they are not exactly ground breaking graphically.

Honestly, do graphics matter, yes and no. I really play mostly older games. I've been on a kick of buying games for $10 and under over the last 6 months. So, playing games that are 4-5 years old have been the norm for me. But, I haven't had any issue with it. Sure, if you play games 10-15 years old, the graphics aren't as nice (still, I can crack out a good game of RC Pro Am, Mike Tyson's Punch Out or most Mario games and enjoy it).

Still, graphics are nice to have. I don't love Oblivion (the reason I bought my Xbox 360) for the graphics, but I definitely wouldn't trade them in.
 
[quote name='lordxixor101']Ok, the games look great (and I've actually logged huge hours into both on the 360), but they are not exactly ground breaking graphically.

[/quote]

Ahhhh, we've hit upon something here...

Do graphics need to be cutting edge to be considered 'good'?

Geometry Wars is no Gears of War, but it looks great in its own way. Does it have 'good' graphics. Will it impress graphic whores?

What about games that purposely go for a stylized look? Cel Shaded games? Does Okami have good graphics?
 
[quote name='PyroGamer']Geometry Wars and Puzzle Quest look great. Geometry Wars has the best graphics of any game in years.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. I don't think they look bad. This is were the fun "graphics" debate comes in. If you showed the average person Gears of War and Geometry Wars and asked the question which one looks better graphically, I think we both know which they would choose. Does that make Geometry Wars look bad? Nope. So if you're going to swear by graphics why are you playing something that isn't uber good looking like Gears of War? Is it really fair to compare the 2?

That is why I said in my 1st post that for the most part its all good enough for me at this point in time. It's always nice to see the next amazing looking game but it doesn't deter me from a great game that might not be at that level.

Style always weighs into it too...Okami looks pretty sweet as does Odin Sphere and yet they still aren't Gears of War. Does it matter. Nope. That for me at least is why I think people tend to overreact when it comes to graphics.
 
Honestly, to me, graphics are nice, especially when they look almost real. But gameplay will always be the deciding factor in whether or not a game is "good." In other words, graphics matter, but not too much.
 
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