Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

Ok so I know that by the time Half Life 2 eventually hits the shelves it will most likely (definitely with the expectations I have of it) have both exellent graphics and gameplay but I was wondering. If you were the head 'honcho' at valve and you were calling all of the shots which would you choose at the expense of the other. Good graphics or good gameplay the choice is yours :D


Graphics Vs Gameplay

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

gameplay. However if I wanted to sell copies graphics, but I'm a gameplay man

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

gameplay, thats why pacman and those other games are still fun

I think this is way too hard to put my finger right on it. Thus I did not vote because I am split down the middle. Yes, I know that a great looking game that has terrible gameplay is bad but on the other side of the spectrum a bad looking game with good gameplay is decent. However I think games that have excelled in the market have pushed the barriers of graphics at that time. The computer world has changed a lot since HL was released but at that time the game was simply amazing.

My siblings always like to run CS on 800x600 and that pisses me off. It looks terrible and the game is just not the same with really low graphic quality. I think what really makes a game great is a combination of both gameplay and graphics. If you look at most successful games they often immerse the gamer in a virtual world crafted to the best graphics they can. Take a look at Doom 3. The graphics add to the gameplay in how the effects and erriness created by the developers only adds to the game. Sure we dont exactly know how great it will turn out but it is pretty impressive.

All in all I think that a poll like this hovers way too much on the extremes for me to even vote. I'd have to vote down the center on this one. But if you had a gun to my head I think I would have to vote gameplay, but I think even not stating that would be worth getting my brain spread over the pavement.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

i had too go for gameplay, because without gameplay, graphics is nothing. but gameplay can do without graphics. but a mix is good

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

To me it seems that it's the graphics that attract you to the game in the first place and then it's the gameplay that makes you keep playing.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

mmm good point. but would we be here without good graphics in Half Life 2?? i wouldent know the atraction for to Half Life 2 was the physics and static stuff. just great

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

GRAPHICS because we gonna get mods even if the gameplay aint so good, good graphics = better gameplay because bigger maps and realistic monsters = BIG time FUN!

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

graphic atracts you gameplay keeps you playing the game.

But then again some games can attract you without good graphics take Civilisation 2 for example I found that to be a superb game but the graphics left alot to be desired to say the least.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

I thought Civ3s graphics left a lot to be desired too...I have to say I can take bad graphics as long as they're functional and clean. Sorry to go a little of topic here but everything seems to drift...On the subject of civ games I found them to be a little over rated...the concept didn't seem to work well to me, yet alpha centuri seemed great, and was a good buy when I picked it up second hand. Is there a gameplay difference or is it just me. Mabey I prefer future settings.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

I'll just wrap up my opinion....

Crap graphics = Bad Gameplay.
So, u cant really choose one over the other!

Re: Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

Your going to have to elaborate a bit more on what you mean there buddy because I don't quiet follow. I can't see how bad graphics make the gameplay bad. But thats just my opinion.

definitely gameplay.Even the prettiest graphics can't save a crap game.But awesome gameplay can forgive a lot of ugliness.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

thats what i was trying to say further up.
Unreal II..... theres a good example.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

If there's crap graphics ... there WONT be good gameplay. So, ur saying a game with crap graphics but good gameplay (zelda) ... is a good game?!

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

zelda doesn't have crap graphics, it has acceptable 2D graphics (unless your talking about the nes one). I think all 16-bit 2D graphics are usually good, 8-bit always looks pretty terrible, and early 3D graphics are the worst. That's bad graphics. Doom, there was a game with bad graphics and pretty basic gameplay, luckly for them it was one of the first games of an upcoming genre, so everyone though it was revolutionary

Re: Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

Umm..yeah,that's exactly what I'm saying.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

This is really a simple question. Its got to be gameplay! Whats the point of having an eye popping beautiful game if you absolutely hate the way it plays? The newest tomb raider springs to mind. The game has nice detail, killer graphics, and lara has never looked better. But the controls suck! They absolutely destroyed what was once a fun adventure game. Granted they had to do something cause it was getting boring but not this!!! I can think of many games I really enjoyed that had less than perfect graphics but the gameplay is what makes it interesting and keeps you going for that next level.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

exactly what i was trying to say and azzkiller, crap graphics dosent mean bad gameplay. thats not waht i was trying to say...

Gameplay will always determine a great game over graphics.
These days, we are fortunate enough to be getting both with D3, Q4 and HL2 coming our way.

Re: Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

nice. short, sweet and to the point :)

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

yeah, but we dont know that any of those games have good gameplay till we try them. :)
oh and you forgot some posiblity's:
Far Cry
STALKER
uhhh theres some others

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

God .. thats a hard question ... I would have to say Graphics .... if the graphics are good you can spend hours beating up some alien head thingy ... lol

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

i like beating head thingys

Re: Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

Well, for me it's gameplay. After the first couple times of seeing something the novelty begins to fade. That's where good gameplay keeps me returning!

I thought it was wrapped up nicely in the designer interview video. Once you get used to the pretty graphics ....they'll STILL be there, but the thing that keeps drawing you back is the gameplay.

With a gam that boasts fully integrated physics, the gameplay will be amusing every time you load a level. (Assuming that you have at least a trace of imagination) The graphics are just to suck you in, and make you feel like a part of the environment. once that is achieved, the gameplay either provides fun, or frustration.

Just my opinion, I could be totally wrong. ;)

Re: Re: Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

I have to agree after the first few times of playing I don't really noticed how good/not the graphics are. It's the gameplay that keeps me coming back for more. The only game I can think of where I keep standing still while im playing and looking around the environment around me is Morrowind, those graphics are amazing.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

i never really got a big wow from morrowind

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

It was novel but a bit too easy in my humble opinion. Now if they combined that with baldur's gate or neverwinter nights. HOOCHIE MAMA!

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

Imma have 2 say gameplay cause I still enjoy playn some worms armageddon from time to time.

Gameplay - shock shock.

Here's a good example, I am (or was, while on vacation) playing through Half-Life. The graphics aren't that good when you compare it with today's games and upcoming games, but the gameplay in it is so smooth that I don't mind the dated visuals. Combine that with the excellent audio and some entertaining scenarios and here I am playing a game that's over 4 years old and thoroughly enjoying it.

Gameplay wins over graphics, but graphics are what sell.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

too true, Vanthem gamplay is just the base of the games, its ovioius that gameplay rules over graphics. A game needs good gamplay to be played over time.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

i think a game with good grafs and good gameplay, is better than a game wiv bad grafs an xellent gameplay an vice versa

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

of course it is becuase u still need graphics just not super realistic graphics.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

y not?

Re: Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

There are plenty of games that were/are great games even though they have 'under average' graphics.
1, Championship Manager
2, Civilisation 2
3, Sim City 2000 ( the graphics weren't up to standards of it's time)

and thats just to name a few examples of games that were really good but didn't have superb mind blowing graphics

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

well championship manager is more of a tactical game, virtually all of it taking place with text in 2d, therefore I wouldn't say it had bad graphics, but good 2d graphics that were sharp and clear. Sim city 2000 in my opinion had good graphics for it's time, and graphics which for that matter are still passable now due to their clarity.

In my eyes bad graphics are normally only present in 3d games, most 2d games of modern times have very good clear graphics, and many 2d RTSs like Netstorm ('97 I believe), are still perfectly playable today and are enjoyable. Unplayable games for me include early 3D games which hurt my eyes due to the poor graphics and very very early 2D games (anything since '94 normally is sharp in 2D). But those games you list above are all of course classic gameplay wise. Sim city 2000 was the first pc game I ever played....

yea spose u lot r rite,an i do love abe oddesy an exodus 4 their gameplay
ur all so nolegeable
:bows:

I can't really remember what the first P.C game I ever played was...I think it was Syndicate Wars but I'm not sure

wots syn warz??

This game where you have a team of 'cyborgs' and you have to carry out missions by any means possible.

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

any means possible? I don't remeber being able to dance around in frock dusting enemies to death. Mabey that was a hidden mission

:lol:,cyborgs eh,my kinda enemy
my kinda genda :D

Re: Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

Ha Ha very funny. I meant that it wasn't linear the way you completed the mission's and how you did it.

sonds cool,may try it 1 day

I think that graphics are important, but gameplay is vital. Graphics are really important to suck people in, then gameplay is there to keep them interested. Take HL2. A lot of people out there see a couple of screenshots, think the graphics are cool, get interested and find out more about it. If HL2s graphics were rubbish, would anyone have bothered finding out enough about the game to get interested? Not many people. Although, I think good graphics or realism are not as important once you are hooked on the plot of a game. Once you are into a game, not much except the plot matters. But, if a game has good graphics, i'm going to put up with more bad gameplay and give it more of a chance than a game with poor graphics AND poor gameplay. Anyone else got an opinion?

yes,urs sounds bout rite,but sometimes i wont 2 go 'wow', so i need a game with good graphs,and othertimes im bored,and need 2 be hooked 4 hours,then i go 4 gameplay :D

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

True for the first few plays of the game you look at the good graphics. Then persoanally I don't really notice them again after that

yes,i spose,but you do notice bad graphix in my xperience

Re: Graphics Vs Gameplay - Which one wins
 

Yes but if the gameplay's good then you look past the bad graphics