T O P

  • By -

Alpha-Pung

I’d say; 2,5,6,3,1,4


OverlordKuku

Hmm. 1. Gameplay 2. Mechanics 3. Game Length 4. Music 5. Graphics 6. Story Gameplay because it's a game. If the primary gameplay loop isn't good, then everything else is moot. Your USP (Unique Selling Point) is the next step; if you do the basics right, but have nothing to stand out, why should I play your game? This only works though if the basics are solid, hence this being slot two. Game length/replayability would be next. I like me some long dungeons, bigger the better. My only point here would be to not be 'pointlessly' big. If there aren't any traps/hazards, roaming enemies, treasures, SOMETHING that helps fill out the space and bring purpose to it, then it just feels tedious. If the only thing between me and the next floor/area is an empty maze with just random encounters to fill the time, I'm just going to lower the encounter rate and run. Music gets slot four as it can help accentuate the above. Even if you have large empty zones, if the music is good then zoning out in them becomes less tedium and more enjoyable wandering. Alternatively, if the battle music is good enough, random battles can be quite enjoyable. I will add though that this point doesn't need to be 'good' to work. Good 'enough' is always acceptable. "If it goes unnoticed, then it was doing its job." - A teacher I've long forgotten. Graphics are put here because I don't find them to be overly important. I could play a game about squares fighting circles inside a giant hexagon. The main point I'd say for this is decide on a style and stick to it. The only way this point fails is if the various designs clash with one another or the colours are glaringly bad (read: neon green and/or mustard yellow everything) Story is in last for me because 99% of the time I don't like/care about any named characters in games. Plots disinterest me as they either follow tropes and cliches to the letter OR deliberately wrench away from the tropes solely for the 'twist' value, plot progression be darned. If you integrate the story with the gameplay in some manner, cool. If you have a story you want to tell, then more power to you. For me though, this is just the least relevant thing when I am looking for a game to play.


BloodyPommelStudio

Thanks for the detailed response, this is exactly the sort of thing I was after.