Graphics is not a Dirty Word

Neil at Lizard Lounge writes: "Gaming history is littered with wonderful examples of a perfect mesh between great looks and great gameplay, and it’s this I will consistently try to seek out.

"The graphics don’t make the game, that is true, but they can elevate it to incredible highs, and they can also make an average game more than the sum of its parts. If I’m struggling through a title with mediocrity splashed all over it, some tasty graphics can see me through, Ryse would be a case in point."

[Darkwatchman]

I love great visuals too, but they are not the end-all/be-all for me. It's a thing that can further enhance the experience. If a game is great and looks great, then that's even better, however if a game sucks and looks amazing, I'll probably finish it just to see how pretty the environments are, but that doesn't mean I'm enjoying the game any more. Visuals can elevate something that is already good, but can not make a bad product good.

I always point out a game's visuals when talking to friends and complain a lot when a game looks awful and they always call me a graphics whore which is ridiculous. Me just completing about bad graphics doesn't mean I dislike the game. It just means the game should look better. The real kicker is that one friend I have that always calls me a graphics whore has actually said he could never play the first 2 fallout games because of the graphics....can you say hypocrite??? I complain about graphics, but bad visuals will never stop me from a playing a game, however this guy that always harps on me for being a "graphics whore" literally wouldn't play the first fallout games because of graphics. LOGIC

[DanteVFenris666]

fallout 1 and 2 did not have bad visuals

All your comment prooves is that friend is also a graphics here. The best games last year for me was undertale. Which many would agree yet it didn't look modern. It did however look fantastic and artistic, creative. You don't need to have the latest graphics for a game not too look pretty

The best game I've played in 2016 so far was earthbound which is 20 years old and I doubt anything in 2016 will beat it.

[Darkwatchman]

Fallout 1 and 2 most definitely are ugly games to look at.

[livininsin]

The fallout series has never been a graphical showcase, but they have never been ugly either (when they were released).

[joab777]

Graphics is not a dirty word bit I need dynamic gameplay to be the next push, the new evolution of gaming, from single player to multiplayer. We need more immersive, interesting gameplay. Firewatch is a good example of a gorgeous game that puts you in the shoes of someone, not simply a floating camera moving at lightspeed.

[OhMyGandhi]

I agree.

I feel like it depends on the game. If the game has a world that wishes to be as realistic as possible, and comes up short visually, I feel like its every gamers right to complain. For example, in Falllout 4, the game made by nearly 1000 people, it makes sense too have semi realistic graphics because the environment is MEANT to be detailed. Falllout 4 looked underwhelming for most people, because they expected crisper textures, and an improved engine for this individual items to live in. Everyone likes things bigger, a vast world to explore, and of course, this can weigh down even the most robust of game engines, but I stand by that a AAA game like Fallout should have few faults, especially considering the massive size of the team and the budget to go with it.

All in all, I purposely give quite a bit of leeway for smaller developers, because they just don't have the manpower to make something photo realistic, or the budget/time to make things shine. And when smaller games, like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, or Among the Sleep blow away those expectations, then it further instills that same belief that larger developers who wish to develop large, detailed worlds should continue to improve upon their tech and make their games look their best.

Often times, I suppose we attribute visual fidelity to laziness. When a franchise does little with an aging engine, or only modest improvements over all, we feel like it's just the publisher wanting to capitalize on "core features" rather then spend money on rebuilding a newer, more robust engine to support visual improvements.

[PoSTedUP]

graphics dont make a game great but they can make a great game a little more enjoyable to the eye. also depends on the focus of the game. story, sound, music, gameplay are more important. but i love when a dev can make a great game at 1080p 60fps with awesome graphics, who dosent? im selfish and entitled to playing the best of the best given the current state of technology. its not always a must, but is a must have, when it is created in the absolute best fasion. but we're also too critical of a game bc of having been spoiled by better developers. not every dev has the money and resources and we have to appreciate the work that goes into a game, unless it is broken. we know what we're getting before we buy it. its silly to buy it knowing what youre getting, and then complain. or complain before you buy it bc its not what You wanted.. ive been guilty of this too.

[Axonometri]

Regardless of how I've matured as a gamer and how different I see gameplay importance in relation to visuals, I'll always be a graphics whore.

Sometimes I think there need be a reminder that video games require video. And only a few "video" games are successful with unattractive visuals.

[Goldby]

it all depends on the style of games, and your own preference. i myself, am in love with Necropolis, that game, even though very basic (reminds me of Journey with the legs) is very pleasing on the eyes. alot of people always forget that great graphics don't always mean extreme detail or lifelike.

i think we all are graphic whores as you put it to one degree or another, because we depend so much on stimulus form our eyes, and that is pleasing to see.

[ProjectVulcan]

As a visual medium, graphics in games matter. Just how much they matter should be taken on a case by case basis.

[twinspectre1990]

Crysis salute you

[DigitalRaptor]

Graphics are important, and not something you can really ignore on account of the excuse that "gameplay is more important". It's not impossible to design and implement graphics and gameplay in good quality measure.

Although graphics in this medium are not limited to resolution or visual effects, it's also important to be able to appreciate a fine art direction and style.