Graphics, sound, controls, gameplay mechanics/design , story. Which one of is these is most important when you sit and participate in your hobby for hours? If you choose any of the following you're wrong. The most important aspect to gaming is none of the above.
The most important aspect is the FEEL of the game.
Thats right, this is what connects you to the game the most. But one may ask. What do u mean by "feel"? Well its hard to describe. But to get an understanding of what i mean, go boot up the old Mario 64 cartridge. Then run around a little in the castle field. do a couple of side flips. The way how Mario run around 'feels' just right, right? You dont really know why it is, maybe is the way how mario foot contacts or grinds on the floor while he moves. How about when he jumps, do you 'feel' a invisible tension between him and the floor. I'm not really sure, but whatever it is, its feels right, and its entertaining just to run and jump around in an empty field.
Another example of this "feel good effect", go start this game( if you have access to it), Samurai Showdown 4. Select haohmaru, then hit your opponent with a fierce slash ( forward and C on neogeo). It sure fells good doesn't it. Maybe it's the sound that his sword makes on contact, or the lil slow-mo the game has when this action is performed. But somehow the feedback the game gives just makes it 'feel' good, and you want to do it once more.
Now go start God of War 3, hit enemies with your blades of chaos, its feels like its hitting nothing. Probably why many prefer the gloves when fighting. It has the best feedback when you hit something. Personally, I probably wont have finish that game if the gloves weren't an option.
So that's it. In games every action should 'feel' right(or good). That's what's been connecting you to your games all these years, and it works to a sub conscious level. Its is what older games like super mario bros, street fighter 2, metal slug has been counting on as a hook. And I think its what developers are forgetting when they produce their games. You can't develop a shooter and its doesn't feel good to shot something. You can't have a slasher and it doesn't feel good to slash your enemies, you can't have a platformer and it doesn't feel good to just run and jump around. No matter how good the graphics, sound, controls, design/mechanics are, once the feel of the game isn't there, the entire experience just feels empty.
And lastly, do not confuse "FEEL" with controls or gameplay, its an entire aspect by itself. And yes there should be an entire category describing the FEEL of the game in reviews.
If you think there was something missing or wrong in most games recently, the FEEL was it.
Am I wrong? What do u guys think is the most important aspect?
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