Graphics over Gameplay...or?

[Adagio]

So, what do you think? Do you find graphics the most important thing in games, or is gameplay what drags you to a new game?

For me it's:
"Gameplay is important, but graphics shouldn't be too bad either"

I know I have trouble returning to good old classics, because of the outdated graphics, even though I love the gameplay... but I still play some classic games, from time to time

[General Ludd]

Gameplay über alles!

[Solver]

Gameplay is important, but graphics shouldn't be too bad either.

Nowadays, after having played games such as Morrowind that have outstanding graphics, I give them some value. However, a game with good graphics might still have low enjoyment value. And yes, I still enjoy playing good old Civ 1 .

[General Ludd]

I should say though, that there is a difference between bad graphics and bad graphics.

I don't mind a game that has outdated graphics, but I do mind a game that has ugly or badly made graphics. This goes for alot of the really old, or really badly made 3D games.

[FrustratedPoet]

If the graphics are so good that they make the game run badly even on high-end systems (i.e. Morrowind) or are so bad that they make it impossible to work out what is going on then that's a bad thing.
Otherwise I don't really care, although clearly nice graphics are preferable to boring graphics.

[Solver]

FP, Morrowind runs at my system just about perfectly with looking awesomely .

Yep, Osweld has a good point here. This is one of reasons why I hate civ 2. Its isometric view and units graphics made it very hard to understand what is going on, caused confusion in my empire, and I could never get 100% used to those.

[Dauphin]

The gameplay is fundamental, the graphics need only good enough to avoid criticism.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Solver
Its isometric view and units graphics made it very hard to understand what is going on, caused confusion in my empire, and I could never get 100% used to those.

The unit graphics were nowhere near award winning but they were passable. And what's wrong with the isometric view? I prefer that to the birdseye view of Civ1.

[Static Universe]

"Gameplay is important, but graphics shouldn't be too bad either"

But it's nice when you get the best of both worlds.

[pg]

gameplay always trumps graphics. they are called games for a reason you know. you only need good graphics when gameplay functionality is tied into the graphics. better functional graphics can make gameplay better.

the first choice is kinda an oxymoron, how could you have the best gameplay in a text based game? text based games are so utterly limited due to not being able to have functional graphics which enhance gameplay.

[Skanky Burns]

Gameplay is much more important, provided the graphics are functional. Old games with obviously old graphics are still fun to play, and on occasion I still do play them.

Yesterday I had the glory of playing in a VGA 3d wireframe environment. Yay!

[FrustratedPoet]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Yesterday I had the glory of playing in a VGA 3d wireframe environment. Yay!

Elite?

[Sava]

I'm with you ADG. "Gameplay is important, but graphics shouldn't be too bad either". IMO that's the big problem with console games after the 64-bit systems came out. Gameplay took a backseat to flashy graphics. Most console games now suck, and the few that are good would are much better on PC (or would be if they had PC ports). Because the PC allows customization, modding, and sometimes, direct contact with developers. I prefer PC games because IMO, consoles are for kids and dumbass college kids that can't work a computer.

In the development of a good game, the gameplay needs to be ironed out first, then you can spend your time making it look pretty. Graphics are limited by hardware capabilities, while good gameplay requires a creative group of people. The other plus about PC's and modding is that you can often get improved graphics in the form of mods as well. For example, I download skins and models for Counter-Strike and Day of Defeat that are much better than the default skins. The drawback of PC's is that the games can be hacked and a bunch of dumbass puds can cheat in multiplayer games.

[Skanky Burns]

Nice guess, but no.
The game I posted in the Guess the game thread.

[St Leo]

TA: Kingdoms graphics > WBC II graphics
WBC II gameplay >>> TA: Kindoms gameplay

Seven Kindoms II graphics > Kohan graphics
Kohan gameplay >>> Seven Kingdoms II

(IMHO, Seven Kindoms II was extremely overrated.)