How Important Are Graphics in Games?

Ah, the age-old argument, a discussion that will likely never end as consoles and PCs get ever more powerful and capable of some truly stunning games; which is more important, quality in looks or quality in gameplay?

Will you bother to play a game that looks like it was designed in 1997? Do the retro graphics in games like Braid put you off or are you more interested in the engaging gameplay mechanics?

Here is what we think matters when it comes to gorgeous graphics vs quality gameplay.

[Naate]

Just to tag on to what I wrote in the piece, I feel that gameplay will always come first unless the graphics are broken and take away from the game.

Dated graphics don't bother me, but broken graphics always will.

[gillri]

Shenmue is my favourite game of all time at the time the graphics were unrivalled on any system

I think grpahics added alot to its immersion and atmosphere

[guitarded77]

Graphics and even more so, art style can really make a game. Journey is a good example of amazing art style and atmosphere IMO.

[miyamoto]

Video Games. The word itself means video first and then game play. Its not called " game video" for a reason.

Without video graphics technology video games would have not existed. How can you show a video game and its game play without video graphics technology first? Video graphics technologyis the reason why video games were possible in the first place. Its equally important as the game play so do not be ridiculous to think its less important than the game play itself.
Be it pixels. dot matrix, vectorgraphics, standard def or high definition or 4K Ultra HD video graphics plays an very essential important role in the progress and success of video games.

Now fanboys who use this misleading argument to defend their weak or powerful platform of choice are blind or in desperate denial to feed their brand loyalty.

Appreciate video graphics as they are. Video graphics technology has progressed and will continue to progress. Do not underrate its importance.

[Stroke666]

so by your logic, the quality of the board comes first when playing a board game? Its called a video game because its a game played through video. its name order doesn't give more importance to the latter or the former. And as in every Game the most important factor is fun, I myself have never had fun looking at good graphics. I have however played fun games that had good graphics. graphics are not the alpha and omega of the industry or at least it shouldnt be. you can paint a poop really pretty but does it make that poop more fun? yes appreciate video graphics as they are 100% but do not underrate the importance of having fun playing the game. ever saw a horrible movie? ever saw one in Imax 3d?

[NYC_Gamer]

I'll take both[gameplay&graphics] since developers have capable hardware

[Naate]

Absolutely agree with you, if they can do both well, I'd prefer that every time. Case in point, Skyrim.

[rasputiny]

Skyrim is a great example.

[Stroke666]

I agree, if both are available I'd too take that everytime, but if skyrim didn't have good graphics would it have been any less fun? ever stop to wonder at the texture rendering of the dragons scales or were you too busy having a f@ckin blast tryin to kill it with your barehands. Skyrim... great example by the way

[Godmars290]

Not as important as they've come to be, which is why they've become a problem.

[AnyaShroud]

it's not as important only because they have stopped getting better on consoles since 2009/2010

[ILive]

Can people please shut up about devs focusing on graphics more than gameplay. It as become a proverbial saying this gen. If a game has good graphics but awful gameplay, it is not because hey "focused" on the graphics. Its either the gameplay does not interest you, or the gameplay is just completely broken. I dont think devs go in thinking "lets make focus on the graphics and forget about gameplay since graphics are more important." Just because you dont like the gameplay does not mean others wont. So, please, lets just put that to rest.

There is no reason graphics and gameplay can' t come in hand. The tech is there, there are no excuses. Both are equally important because there are plenty proof that it is possible.

[Skips]

"lets make focus on the graphics and forget about gameplay since graphics are more important."

= Crytek

[Stroke666]

@sonic200... agree again

[pr0t0typeknuckles]

ill say they are semi important,personally if a game is pure trash it better have good graphics so it can have 1 thing thats good about it(crysis),but personally i could care less,now if graphics help the experience then im all for it(prince of persia 08)

[crazypenguin08]

There is something remarkable when you play a beautiful game, it can really enhance the experience. But if the game plays like crap it doesn't matter how good it looks. Graphics should always take a back seat to gameplay. Plain and simple.

[Relientk77]

Gameplay is first, then graphics

[4lc4pon3]

I'm like graphics but that's just me. Yes gameplay is important but it hate ugly games

[Naate]

I get put off by poor graphics, but it doesn't kill the game for me. I'll still buy a game if it doesn't look cutting edge.

[crazypenguin08]

I'm not sure how you define decent graphics in your mind, but I enjoyed Minecraft and Terraria. I'm sure there are other examples but would you simply not give them a chance because of how they look? Not saying you would, but if you do... it's a shame.

[4lc4pon3]

I won't buy a game if the gfx are ugly. I tend to skip games like minecraft.

[rasputiny]

if the gameplay is fun, who cares what it looks like!

[Iltapalanyymi]

graphics dont mean shit. story and gameplay mean everything.

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

extremely important to me. kind of like the way a nice soundtrack and solid storyline are important to me. doesnt matter that those aspects dont affect gameplay....i still feel like it draws me in that much more.
there is nothing wrong with enjoying an amazing looking game.

[NateCole]

It's very important unless you still like playing with pong graphics forever.

[OrionNoctis]

Not as important as art direction or gameplay imo , Monster Hunter 3 i played for 3000hours cause of its gameplay...they are relevant to a extent but for me art direction is a much more important factor to take into acount...

[ninjahunter]

I think that Gameplay isnt an "in all cases most important" type thing. Like theres a lot about immersion and just visual appreciation. Games like uncharted, God of war, the witcher 2, crysis, killzone and rage, are all have pretty average game play for their genres, Sure they add a little here and there, but their no more innovative than any other good game. Yet they are all considered top tier series/games because their freaking phenomenal looking.

[crazypenguin08]

Graphics do add to the game, but everything you mentioned there (except maybe uncharted) only did ok, not great.

[kevnb]

one thing people forget about is performance, a game just isnt the same if the performance sucks.

[Imalwaysright]

I'll take FPS over graphics any day of the week.

[Amigaengine]

Looking at Bethesda console releases

[Whymii]

Unless you're playing Papa Sangre (and you should) graphics are important in setting the theme, be it simple, cartoony, hyper realistic, etc in games. Relative graphic performance between platforms is not so important, but is a factor for some people.

[iistuii]

Of course they are important. Look at the huge difference in Battlefield 3, Crysis 3 etc on PC to consoles. If your saying graphics don't make a difference, then you may as well stick with our current consoles. Of course we all like the odd game like Deadlight which is fun to play, but a blockbuster game needs great graphics IMO.

[ahamling27]

I don't think a blockbuster needs great graphics at all. Minecraft begs to differ...

[GenericNameHere]

Remember the old days of the NES? 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit eras?? Consoles have always touted their graphics, and they're still very important today. However, better graphics don't mean better games. Take a look at the Atari Jaguar and the SNES. The former is 64-bit, while the latter was 16-bit. Which console had better games, were visually appealing despite only having 16-bit, and was also superior in every other way? The SNES! Now for a current comparison. Killzone 2 vs Crysis 3. I would rather play Killzone 2, a game that came out 4 years ago, on a weaker console compared to the PC, but had better gameplay and story, than play Crysis 3, another generic FPS where Crytek focused mostly everything on "teh graficks", rather than story and gameplay.

[ahamling27]

I gotta say that graphics aren't everything. Gameplay is #1, period. If a game is going for super realistic graphics I tend to think they're hiding sub-par gameplay, that or they have a budget through the roof.

[Nerdmaster]

Stereoscopic 3D has become pretty important in my gaming habits.

[hardcorehippiez]

i have to agree , since playing in 3d im hoping more titles utilize it. best 3d game ive played so far has to be killzone 3
am hoping that ps4 has a few 3d games on launch.

[MadLad]

Bad graphics pull players from the immersion of the game. They can even go so far as to detract from the other elements of the game. You can have a great overall art style, but poor general graphics take away from that. Graphics are simply immersion. They don't make the game, but they do go a long way in improving your perception of it as a whole.
Good gameplay is the most important thing, but graphics are still very much important. It's as simple as that.

For me though, graphical fidelity trumps everything. I am fine with a less than stellar looking game, as long as the overall resolution makes for a clear image. I will take a weaker looking game at a higher resolution over a better looking game at a lower resolution.

[dafegamer]

if a game plays like shit but has incredible graphics, I'd rather look outta my window to see real life graphics

[BitbyDeath]

Games like Killzone, Uncharted, God of War and Crysis are often considered top of the line for graphics but simpler titles are often left out.

Games like Pixel Junk Monsters are never thought of when thinking best graphics but for the style it possesses it is near flawless. Other such games include Plants vs Zombies, Fat Princess, Journey etc.

Graphics are important but that doesn't mean a game has to look realistic.

[young7yang]

It is only natural that graphics will get better with the times.. what makes or breaks a game is not graphics but over-all art style.. a good graphics engine allows developers to become even more creative but when limitation are reached it boils down to art direction and over all presentation of a game.. first and foremost gameplay must take precedence followed by style and presentation..

Shenmue II, Valkryia Chronicles, Bioshock, Prince of Persia (2007) release and now I will go so far to say that Bioshock Infinite and Crysis 3 do take presentation into account.. if you ask me.. graphics can only go so far.. does anyone remember the Atari 2600! Pitfall anyone.

[Psn800]

The whole idea of games is for you too feel that your the character and to feel that the game is real and you like too feel the realism in the game itself wether your playing a rpg or fps you like to think you are in a real city so graphics are important but it depends what game your playing if it is a puzzle or any other game then gameplay obviously , so it depends really .

[AdvanceWarsSgt]

"Realism" is what ruined SSX 2012.

You don't need realism in every game. There is nothing wrong with arcade-y games, and quite frankly, I'd prefer games to be made with that aspect in mind.

[Psn800]

Agreed my friend !

[lema008]

Gameplay foremost, then graphics. There's nothing like spending $60 for a pretty game that you latter find out it can be finish in a matter of days.

The graphics should be used only to enchance gameplay. Not as eye candy.

[lovegames718]

Same cliche articles and same bs responses. Give it a break already!!!!

[AdvanceWarsSgt]

Graphics, or rather, technical graphical beauty, isn't as important as presentation is. For instance, even though the Wii was drastically underpowered in comparison to the 360 and PS3, Monolith was still able to create a game like Xenoblade which, while not technically stunning, is still a "beautiful" game to play and look at considering that the style, scope, and music of Xenoblade are all-high quality.