Whether you are a passionate game developer or simply a passionate gamer, I’m confident you have at least once wondered what exactly makes some of your favorite video games so grand and captivating.
The truth is, there are lots of indefinable aspects that have made different individual video games the masterpieces we know them for. If you take a look at them, though, there are several common qualities that they all had to tick to become the successful games they are, and those are the ones we’ll look at in today’s guide.
Without further ado, let’s jump into it.
1. A Solid Story
Go back and list all your favorite video games ever, and I assure you that one thing that they all made you feel is like you were part of their universe. Every time you play these games, they make you experience genuine emotions as if what is happening to your character is happening to you as well. That right there is the power of storytelling in a video game.
That said, note that with video games, the story does not always need to be super complex or very much written. No, and we will look at this more in the next section. All you ought to note is that you absolutely need to have a storyline that is solid enough so gamers that come across your creation will have a reason to keep coming back.
In my experience, I have also learned that it is often essential that you have some intricate and deep plot. If not, just ensure that the simple goal of saving the princess is layered enough to get gamers going.
2. Great Stories Will Always Get Edged Out By Great Gameplay
Typically, you will hear people in the industry claiming that a game’s story always comes first, and without a solid story, you do not have a game. Even though this is true for most genres, something that is required for any video game genre to work is gameplay.
Over the years, we have actually come across games that became a hit, despite not having a super solid story. A great example is Angry Birds, the mobile hit game. Even though this game does not have a compelling story, its incredible gameplay has been able to make it a hit.
Do not get me wrong; I’m not insinuating that a Solid story isn’t essential. Otherwise, why would I have made “A solid story” the first point in this guide? The point is that by itself, a solid story will not translate to a challenging and fun experience for players.
While thinking about your game’s gameplay, remember that video games are supposed to be interactive. They allow players to immerse themselves in different universes. Unlike films that just take viewers along for the ride, a game is supposed to give a player ultimate control. As such, great gameplay shouldn’t be clunky.
3. Relatable and Interesting Characters
It is crucial to ensure that you feel some kind of connection with all the characters in a game. Just like we mentioned under a solid story, you can feel free to keep it simple with this one. Even if your characters never speak in the game, you need to find a way to make gamers feel and connect to your character.
4. Balancing Consistency and Originality
All new games need to offer a new experience, regardless of whether or not the game you are developing is a sequel. Having said that, also note that most (if not all) video games were able to find originality without having to stray too far from the formula gamers like about the specific genres.
A great example is Super Mario. Even though the games have evolved significantly over the years, you can still “tell” that you’re playing the Super Mario game, whether you’re on the Switch or SNES. The truth is that the greatest games manage to bring originality to the table without trading in their sense of identity.
5. A Killer Soundtrack
Here is a question for you. Do you think the Final Fantasy franchises or Legend of Zelda would be as revered as they are today if they didn’t have their iconic soundtracks? Of course, they wouldn’t. The sound effects in a game (as well as the soundtracks) play huge roles in setting the mood and making gamers feel emotions that match precisely what is happening in a game.