What Makes a Good Video Game?

It's getting late. Around 11:30PM. I know I should be getting to bed soon; I have to get up at 8:00AM to get ready for class. But, I figure I'll just pop FIFA 2004 into my PC and play for a little bit. Just to get past the next section. I'll save at the next save point, turn it off, and go to sleep. Video games are one of my favorite pastimes. I enjoy playing any kind of video game as long as it's fun and has an interesting concept.

Over the years video games technology has improved immensely. Since the early days of Pac-Mac, video games have become more realistic and interactive. The first thing that captures my attention about a game is its graphics. I love a game that looks nice. A story that pulls you into another world is also very important. Is important to have that connection with the character you're moving around your screen. How you move that character, game play, is also extremely important.

So what makes a good video game? For many people video games are a matter of tastes. While some people prefer adventure games such as Super Mario and Zelda I like realistic games such as Grand Theft Auto and FIFA soccer. A great game doesn't need to have the most incredible graphics or the best sound. All a game needs to keep you playing is a good concept.

One thing that draws me into a game is the storyline. The story must keep you on your toes, waiting for what will happen next. The story must keep you interested and make you want to play. If the story doesn't capture you, then there's no real motive to play. An interesting story is what gets you coming back for more. There has to be a purpose to the game, whether it's a money reward, new weapons or unveiling a new level. The story is what has the most effect on a viewer; an original plot with a few twists and some dramatic moments usually does it for me.

The first thing that always catches my attention in a game is the graphics. Whether a person searches for good looks in a game or not, if the game does look good, it will be remembered. While graphics, and to a lesser extent sound, are advertised excessively by the media and game publishers, no game can be based purely on spectacular graphics. Graphics can do a great deal to increase the fun factor of a good game. Sound and music also play a very important part in establishing the mood and drawing the player into the game's universe.

Perhaps the main criteria