ResetEraVetVIP
Member
Gameplay first..but I expect BOTH tbh.
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Gameplay or Graphics?
- Thread starter Marty-McFly
- Start date
- Poll
Marty-McFly
Banned
I would take a game in polygon Virtua Racing style if they could create the most detailed intricate worlds ever.
Ridiculous how nobody even bothers to try this approach.
Rhazer Fusion
Member
Gameplay. Graphics are nice, immersive and obviously impressive, but what good is it if the gameplay is trash and it’s not fun?
S0ULZB0URNE
Member
Sold the Switch because of its dated graphics and terrible performance.
So I guess I choose graphics AND performance.
So I guess I choose graphics AND performance.
S0ULZB0URNE
Member
yeah, you are right.
Danjin44
The nicest person on this forum
Because not all devs have the luxury to have “cutting edge graphics” in their games. Most games with interesting ideas usually don’t have “mass appeal“ in order effort high tech graphics.
Most of favourite games were mostly AA games, it might not had most Advance graphics but that didn’t stop it from being fun and memorable.
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NeoIkaruGAF
Gold Member
“Video games are a visual medium” means nothing. Tetris is still Tetris regardless of the power differences between a 1984 computer and a PS5. It’s visual because you’re interacting with images. How those images look isn‘t important per se. It’s how the images contribute to the sum of the parts that’s important. Even a game that ”looks ugly” or “could’ve looked better if it had this or that artstyle” can still have a strong visual identity that will make it stand out.
I suspect not a few people conflate “graphics” with photorealism and fidelity - something that’s been going on since the PS2 era at least, when something like Auto Modellista probably looked like a joke to Gran Turismo fans, even if it was absolutely impossible one generation before and it was, therefore, as cutting edge as it could be.
Photorealism can be a double-edged sword - we know all too well some ”photorealistic” games from the 7th gen that are only still remembered now thanks to the memes making fun of their uncanny valley moments.
And yeah, there’s times when you have all the reasons to wish a game looked different - some PSP-era sequels or remakes like Megaman Maverick Hunter X, that Ghosts ‘n Goblins game, etc, looked definitely not on the same level as their source material.
But all too often you see sweeping comments like “I don’t like anything 2D” that tell you all you need to know about what the people who make those comments really expect from video game graphics.
Graphics are very important, yes, but in the sense that they must be appropriate to the context of the game.
I suspect not a few people conflate “graphics” with photorealism and fidelity - something that’s been going on since the PS2 era at least, when something like Auto Modellista probably looked like a joke to Gran Turismo fans, even if it was absolutely impossible one generation before and it was, therefore, as cutting edge as it could be.
Photorealism can be a double-edged sword - we know all too well some ”photorealistic” games from the 7th gen that are only still remembered now thanks to the memes making fun of their uncanny valley moments.
And yeah, there’s times when you have all the reasons to wish a game looked different - some PSP-era sequels or remakes like Megaman Maverick Hunter X, that Ghosts ‘n Goblins game, etc, looked definitely not on the same level as their source material.
But all too often you see sweeping comments like “I don’t like anything 2D” that tell you all you need to know about what the people who make those comments really expect from video game graphics.
Graphics are very important, yes, but in the sense that they must be appropriate to the context of the game.
Justin9mm
Member
In 2021 games should deliver on both. It's not an unreasonable expectation anymore.
Gameplay is most important but no matter how good a game plays, I can't play something that looks like crap to me. I can't get into a lot of older games I may of missed out on because they look too dated. That's just me.
Gameplay is most important but no matter how good a game plays, I can't play something that looks like crap to me. I can't get into a lot of older games I may of missed out on because they look too dated. That's just me.
BaneIsPain
Member
Art direction to compensate graphics + enjoyable gameplay. Ultimate win
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Both.
MrFunSocks
Banned
It’s sad that this is even a question that isn’t laughed at.
22•22
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Venza
Banned
I wholeheartedly disagree. TLOU2 is a stellar stealth game and the combat is intense as hell.
22•22
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Astonishing, it's an exact mirror of the number of threads raging about graphics vs those agonizing over gameplay
Graphics = Ammo in these Console Wars
You can see by these numbers GAF is mostly full of people that like to play games.. It's a small (??) but vocal minority that fill these performance cross game threads and I'm glad the administration has put a stop on this nonsense.
Tschumi
Member
either that or people like to say the right thing but don't live up to it...
......straight up, i legit like your interpreation better
I'm gonna stick with your one
Myths
Member
Some guy in this thread tried to group in most (if not all) PC gamers with expensive and top grade components as being focused on graphics only… when it’s typically the case they’re ensuring the game will run without hiccups by having said builds/components (Especially MP/Online games). Turning the sliders all the way is a bonus. Most vids reviewing games on expensive builds aren’t reviewing them to show off 30 fps with maxed settings.
Stay in your lane.
On the other hand, you could of course argue that graphics plays a role in signaling or indicating elements of the game to the player. So with regard to graphics, it might be just as important.
Stay in your lane.
Or maybe they allow for more complex calculations (compared to its predecessors) if a dev decides they want to improve on AI, scripts, physics, and other aspects inherently bound to gameplay. Not just graphics.If gameplay was so important as people votes we wouldn't need new consoles generations that usually change nothing in gameplay
On the other hand, you could of course argue that graphics plays a role in signaling or indicating elements of the game to the player. So with regard to graphics, it might be just as important.
The question only asks us to choose one without mention of it being for performance or eye candy. Whatever reason you have in choosing is up to you.
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TheThreadsThatBindUs
Member
I reject the premise, OP.
Fundamentally, there are no games without both gameplay and graphics and so it would have been better to reframe your question.
So yeah,....
Fundamentally, there are no games without both gameplay and graphics and so it would have been better to reframe your question.
So yeah,....
Dr.brain64
Member
Gameplay and graphics.
Graphics over fps though.
Graphics over fps though.
Ps5ProFoSho
Member
I would rather play an hd remaster of gran turismo (OG) vs 8K gran turismo sport. Or ps1 soul edge vs mortal kombat 11. The first games I was ever addicted to were because of amazing gameplay. Even though back then those graphics were 
sncvsrtoip
Member
yes new hardware allows better ai and physics but we have seen almost 0 improvement in this aspect last 15 years but massive jump in graphics department
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Ps5ProFoSho
Member
Frames over Beauty. The first time I played something at true 60fps it blew my mind
MaestroMike
Gold Member
i'm like neo when i play faster paced games
don't really pay attention to graphics just focused on completing the mission/tasks. if its a slower paced game and involves more walking/exploring I'll probably admire the graphics more. I usually decide if I want to play a faster paced or slower paced game before hand and fuel up accordingly gotta amp myself up more for the faster paced games. most times i feel the game is usually mixed in pace with it being mostly slower paced with some faster paced gameplay sequences thrown in. but its hard to switch between the two modes if I gotta get amped up I'm going to stay in that mindset for probably the whole gaming session and won't really admire the graphics through the session
Myths
Member
Where have you been the last 15 years then? Collision detection alone should serve as an example and that’s not even scratching the surface.
Dust-by-Monday
Member
Definitely graphics. Some of my most memorable games for me are from how pretty they looked. It draws me into the game more. Kena didn’t have the best gameplay but the graphics kept me coming back. It’s beautiful.
Danjin44
The nicest person on this forum
Because game development is not magic? Having high tech graphics needs big budget and big team which not all devs can effort, especially games going for very specific experience that doesn’t have “mass appeal”.
Haggard
Banned
there are enough games in the AAA space that offer both. this poll is nonsensical black and white painting while reality is pretty much all shades of grey.
Danjin44
The nicest person on this forum
For me most my favourite games were mostly AA, meanwhile most of AAA going for bloated open world games.
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Azelover
Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams, and it was. It really was.
Yeah. I thought about that a long time ago. I'd love a big game in that style.
There are a few indie games that use the style. But they're not intricate or large.
JapaneseGamesRULEZ
Banned
Graphics.
I am happy as long as characters react when I push buttons.
I am happy as long as characters react when I push buttons.
NomadicAsiatic
Member
Right? That, or the weirdos saying “pure graphics” “graphics only” or whatever coping nonsense.
BlackM1st
Banned
You can either play tetris on Gameboy or you can watch at the brick wall in 8k HDR. Gee, I wonder... 
Seriously. What a dumb question to ask.
BlackM1st
Banned
right
yeah. I played one of two. and my experience is really amazing with this.
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GymWolf
Member
Uh?