First let me explain Gameplay.
Gameplay is about everything but for me it is divided into five major categories.
- Storyline
- Controls
- Features
- Audio
- Graphics
Back in those days, you don't really need good graphics to enjoy a game, look at Tetris, 8 bit Famicom cartridge, Wolfenstein. Those are major games but we all have to know that time's changed.
Now, in the 21st century in order for you to be the top of the food chain you have to excel in every aspects of the five major gameplay.
Believe it or not, although now(21st century) people always said that storyline or control comes first, but deep down inside their hearts they would like to play games that have good graphics. Agree?
Well it don't have to be like the PSP 3000 but come on at least it was coloured, at least a Gameboy Advanced color... and of course stereo sound. Mono will do too but at least make it more channels. Okay I am going way off topic.
So, in my honest opinion to make it to the top of, it has to be like this. (21st century)
Gameplay
- Graphics (most Importance)
- Audio
- Controls
- Features
- Plot/Storyline (duh)
Cruel fact but it's true, I think it doesn't really matter if your storyline's a trainwreck because everyone has done almost everything. It doesn't matter if your storyline gets old, it's the way you present them. The way how you show it to the audience.
Imagine.
The heroes kisses the damsel in distress but it only focuses on one angle, black and white, 2D(block of pixels), few pigeons.
Now another,
Same situation but it adds a little music on the background, multiple angles, more colurs but still 2D(still it's square but getting rounder), more pigeons.
AND ANOTHER.
Same situation, but since they can have more things now due to technology. They decide to make the characters into high definition(more round and actually looks like human) edits the music, add in some bullet time while kissing, whole alot of high definition pigeons flying around. Okay that does it, getting way out of hand.
Now you see? The only thing that remains the same is the kissing scene but that doesn't really matters anymore. The important thing here is, how you present them with graphics and audio. So this is why, I've thought of creating a new type of structure that fits my reviews.
It goes like this.
Instead of Five it's Three.
Gameplay
- Presentation
- Controls
- Features
Still, after doing some heavy thinking. You still need a strong cement(storyline) to build a strong platform.
Then you need bricks(graphics) to hold the platform and you need paint(audio) to protect the building from sunshine rays and rains.
As for the controls and features, you can think of them as furniture or housewares. Here is where the game mechanics and controls kicks in.
Now for the definition of control.
The measurement of efficiency on controlling the game's features in a game....too formal.
Actually to put it short and simple, it is how well you can control your in-game features like camera angles, character's action, with your controller pad or keyboard.
Let's see how far has Control evolve.
First, we take a good look at your latest console's controller pads, count how many buttons it has then compared with this.
So we only need two buttons to massacre your opponents and clear the game. Hmm, makes me remember how I clear Super Mario...the good old days.
For the people who do not agree in my opinion that the controllers symbolizes the in-game's features, ask yourself. Can you play Devil May Cry 4 and Metal Gear Solid 4 with two buttons?
And will you mind pressing extra buttons just only to access menus? The answer? No.
Complicated games that requires good maneuverability and accessibility needs a good controller to fully unleash their potential.
That is why the proclaimed abysmal dragon-flying game, Lair, fails, good graphics, good gameplay, good concept but the controls were beyond nightmare.
Another good example is the Capcom's hit title Resident Evil, before Resident Evil 4, you control your character based on set camera angles despite that each room/hallway/corridors/stairs have different camera angles but once you get used to moving around you'll feel much more comfortable (the combat were hectic at first especially being mobbed by a group of zombies.)
Every game has it's own feature be it RPG, Action, FPS, or any other genre. Will you play an FPS that allows you to carry only one gun for the rest of the game? Unless it is stealth game or fill with realism. Or maybe I should ask, will you play an FPS that lets you carry only one weapon and most of your enemies do not die easily. Hell no!
Game mechanics/features must be tweaked, that is why WoW has endless glitchy patches and warlords being nerf by every patch. We have to admit that great games have splendid game mechanics but it needs to be constantly checked, tweaked, reexamined and download. Some patches comes in really large sizes....
Conclusion, perhaps this post is for you to know what I think about games. Those were my points and all of them were based on experience and few dead brain cells. Thank you for your time.
