The Perfect Game

Oblivion, Fable, Civilizations, Sims, Pong and Tetris are all different types of games. Whether it is strategy or role-playing, action or puzzle it is a computer game. Some games are better than others; the newer ones are normally superior as they have newer technology available to make them. Some of these new games are really bad and some are good. So what makes a game good or bad? There are many parts that add up to make a truly fantastic game including modifications, replay value and variety.

Modifications or more commonly known as mods are user made changes to the game. These can add new quests, new items or even completely change the game. If a game can be modded and new quests be made then the game suddenly takes a giant leap in length and amusement. As these quests can be totally different from the games quests, they are always new and exciting to play. New items can also be added. These items could be armour that makes you look cooler or a sword that is much more powerful. Using these items can allow you to role-play which many people find fun or can allow you to beat previously invincible enemies allowing you to progress towards the more exciting aspects of the game. Mods can also completely change the game making it nothing like the original game. This adds an incredible amount of the length to the game making it more fun and exciting to play. New quests, new items and changes to a game are examples of mods that make the game far longer and exciting.

Replay value is also one of the most important aspects that game developers have to address. For if you play the game once and get bored you return it, however if you can play the game multiple times you will buy the other games this company made. There are several ways that a game can do this by allowing you start again after you finish the game, allowing you to continue to play after winning or by making the game fun enough you are willing to start again. There are two ways that a game allows you to start again, one, the creatures you face are the same as during the first play through or two, the enemies get harder as you get stronger. Both are fun in their own ways, although the second option is far more fun for extended playing. Coming back to the beginning of the game and easily defeating enemies you used to find hard is very satisfying. However fighting enemies which is still hard is also fun because your character that you worked so long on is still available. Another way this can be dealt with is allowing you to continue playing after the game has finished. This is fun because it allows you to complete any quests that you missed with the same character. This is also exciting because you normally get some sort of great reward for winning, whether it is money or items. The final way to add replay value is to make a game fun enough that you want to play again or by adding different choices which influence the game. Some games are pleasurable enough that you can complete them and go right back to the beginning and have it still be fun. This is very difficult however and few games manage it, an easier way is adding good and evil choices. If you were good then you would do all the quests that make you more angelic, however the next time you play, you are evil this adds an entirely new set of quests to achieve. Making a game have replay value is the most important aspect that game developers have to address whether by allowing you to start again, allowing you to continue after you win or by making the game fun enough and different enough that you will play again.

Variety is when a game has many different parts, for instance different quests, different enemies and different visuals. A game that has all of its quests the same or similar, kill a lot of X then take Y then beat boss Z is a game that gets boring fairly quickly. However if in the midst of those quests are also quests that involve puzzles, sneaking or searching for secrets, the game is much more enjoyable to play for extended periods of time. Different enemies is also very important, if all enemies look the same, act the same, and have nothing to differentiate between them the game gets repetitive. But if enemies look nothing alike, are scattered with bosses, have different armaments and are harder or easier to beat, then the game becomes twice as fun. It is important to have stunning visuals and different environments but not essential. If a game has amazing graphics you might just want to explore for the sake of exploring, and therefore find previously undiscovered quests. This can be exciting to do, however a game that is totally uniform in its looks will not encourage that. A game that has great variety in quests, enemies and visuals is a game that is much more fun.

All games are different, some are fun and some are not, some are old and some are new. But the core of what makes a fantastic game is the same. A game needs mods for new quests, items and changes. A game needs replay value for continued excitement, through starting again after winning, continuing play after winning or just be fun enough you are willing to start again. A game needs variety of quests, enemies and visuals to stop it becoming repetitive and boring. If a game were to combine modifications, replay value and variety it would be the perfect game.