Do Graphics Really Matter?

VGSensation writes: "It's an age old discussion and it never seems to die. With the recent graphical marvel, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves providing outstanding visuals that apparently utilizes 100% of the Playstation 3's Cell processing power, in comparison to the first Uncharted which used just 30%. It shows what it is capable of, while teasing the Xbox 360 successfully. Which in turn makes me wonder, can the Xbox 360 contend with such a powerful display of power?"

[Nathan Drake2]

graphics don't matter if you own a console which graphics are worse then competitors.

[BulletToothtony]

and there is a reason why hdtv's were created..

but i agree with fishy.. ok graphics won't stop me from playing a game..

but when you have a big 1080p tv and a nice surround sound you enjoy games a lot more.. so they are not a must for a game to be good but they do make a game more enjoyable..

[WildArmed]

lol looks like damage damage control to me.
When they showed games off b4, (CGI or not) everyone would be like OMGZ LOOKS AMAZING!

Now suddenly someone pops out and pinning Uncharted 2 on graphics =/
oh please..
There shouldnt be any need of an article like this. Maybe on 06-07 where it had some validity, considering Lair looked awesome, but played sucky.
but now its like... yeah.. imma write this article.. coz games now haves awesome gameplay n gfx -.-

[Noctis Aftermath]

"Uncharted 2: Among Thieves providing outstanding visuals that apparently utilizes 100% of the Playstation 3's Cell processing power"

That is incorrect.
A dev from ND corrected that initial statement by saying that it doesn't use 100% and that it simply has all the available processors working all the time, that doesn't mean that they are all running at 100% all the time.

[Perjoss]

A great deal of games aim to immerse the player into the game world. Good graphics are a must for games like this. For example a survival horror game like Dead Space would be much less scary on the NES or SNES. You'd have things missing like drool dripping from monsters mouths and nice exaggerated depth of field effects (to simulate being dazed) when you are hit really hard, etc etc.

[Ryangp]

Yes.

[AKNAA]

But as for wii owners on the other hand, I don't think they could care less about graphics...
circle for a head, square for a body and a few rectangles for the arms and legs and Bam! wave your heart out people! lol!

[rockleex]

Because of the PS3's recent sales and Uncharted 2's graphics. ^_^

On a more serious note, yes it does matter sometimes. It depends on what kind of game you are trying to deliver.

Without better graphics and better processing power... all games would still be played in 2D. So yes, graphics do affect gameplay as well.

By the way, Uncharted has it all. The best graphics, along with amazing gameplay, well written storyline, etc.

Why settle for just gameplay? ^_^

[Ju]

Sure it matters. Would I want to trade in these moments where a level opens up and I forget to play because my jar is still on the floor because of the scenery or it doesn't? I guess this moment is fully an effect of the visuals and nothing else...man, that happened to me a couple of time in the last days. Damn.

[Syronicus]

Of course they matter. Those that say otherwise are just not understanding how they help the games. Some would say that Game Play is more important and I would not disagree but to say that graphics are not important is absolutely silly. They both are important.

[Sarcasm]

In a graphics argument, it's either "but but but multiplats" or "but but but sales."

So yes it matters to those who's used to higher quality exclusive graphics.

But in it's defense, if you strip down someting like Uncharted 2's graphics you still have an amazing game. The story, gameplay, multiplayer, etc. etc.

Graphics is just that nice extra oomph that makes a great game an amazing one.

Why is it so hard to want "Both." If you have only one over the other, you'll miss it. A lot of people argue that gameplay is more important, but graphics PERFORMANCE also plays a role in enjoyment. For example, some people absolutely hate to play games with a lot of screen tearing or frame drops.

[gaffyh]

Graphics do matter, but gameplay also matters. If one of them is low in quality, the whole experience of the game suffers. But people who say graphics don't matter, if that was the case, we'd never need to upgrade to a new console. We'll still be playing SNES or Genesis.

[leyego]

ive always looked at it this way.

if ur aiming for real life, graphics matter. so in the case of 90% of the shooters and games, yes it does. if ur not aiming for real life then no.

[LightofDarkness]

Oh so stupid...

Videogames are a visual medium. They're called VIDEOgames. Yes, they're also an interactive medium, but the title alone denotes an emphasis on visuals or GRAPHICS.

Ask yourselves this: would Citizen Kane have been as powerful and moving a production (at the time) if it was represented by cartoony, Powerpuff Girls-esque visuals?

Of course it wouldn't.

Films possibly would've never achieved recognition as an art form and the industry as we know it wouldn't exist. So in essence, of course graphics matter. Uncharted 2 is a visual masterpiece that wouldn't be as enjoyable without it's amazing graphical fidelity. The world feels alive, and that's vastly accredited to it's graphics. Now not all games need super-impressive visuals, I'll grant you that, but they certainly demand appropriate visuals.

[rockleex]

We'd all be playing text-based games right now, or reading books instead of watching movies.

Pictures are worth a thousand words. But experiences are worth a BILLION words.

Uncharted 2 has both the picture and the experience, multiply them together and you get... breathless.

[ABizzel1]

Unfortunately in this day and age to most people they do. It use to be all about gameplay, and that's because everything was 8-bit, but graphics really started to matter last gen, and now this gen the breakdown for a game buy to most people is 30% good graphics, 30% gameplay, 30% good online, 10% single player.

[sikbeta]

Of course It matters, If don't lets go play some Mario Bros on the NES
and forget about UC2 -_- stupid article

[dabri5]

Graphics matter because it opens up more gaming possibilities. With better graphics, you are able to give developers more options about what they want in their games. What can be done, what is possible. On the original PS, you would never imagine running through a populated city with people, cars, and animals behaving as you would imagine.

It's the same with movies. Are movies better with more special effects? Well no it doesn't mean they are better but man do the directors have more options when telling a story. Better things come with more options/tools.

[presto717]

Yes graphics do matter. My HDTV is not just for show you know...

[darthv72]

is when there is no substance to the game. A game with a deep storyline that draws the player in can surpass a graphic driven borefest.

Although if you get a game with both great graphics and great story then you have a real winner on your hands.

[Ausbo]

but stupid sites that compare games doesn't
All the fanboys go up in rage if one pixel on the ps3 isn't as good as the 360's or vice versa. When it gets to that point, it is ridiculous.

[king dong3]

and all the other turd sony fanboys. last gen, it was all buut buut graphics dont matter, when the xbox was stomping the ps2 graphically. now this gen sony have pumped out a few graphical powerhouses, you and all the other turds are suddenly big fans of great graphics...it's funny how things change isn't it!

but lets look at sonys two games that are the best so far in the graphics department. u2, good game! not this industry destroying juggernaught that fansites, blogs and fanboys like you are trying to turn it into! and killzone2, personally, i love the multi-player, but i dont the single player is anything special at-all.

oh yeah, where are all the blogs talking about the crap A.I on u2? you know, like when you leave a dead body 5 foot away from someone and they take no notice of it?? sorry i forgot, there isn't many xbox fanturds writing blogs for this sh!t site like the sony turds.

now i love great graphics, and even my girlfriend commented on how good u2 looks, but they dont make the game! well not atleast to non-fanboys....and they certainly didn't matter to sony turds last gen either. strange that!

[ThanatosDMC]

"power overwhelming"

Geez, we're all agreeing here. Where are those people that disagrees? They make N4G the best. Whatever happened to POG?

It's like Uncharted 2 is a disease they cant get rid off.

[SixZeroFour]

i say graphics matter with respects of what the devs intend their games to look like

if its supposed to look realistic, then ppl will want realistic graphics and environments, like gt, uncharted or a couple fps'

if its supposed to look cartoony, then graphics-wise ppl wont exactly be paying attention to detail on it, like most children/teens/family games

and so forth...ppl spend so much time complaining about graphics not being realistic, that sometimes the game itself isnt supposed to be focusing on graphics but the gameplay itself

one game i can think of is crackdown 2...ppl are complaining that the graphics look last gen, or not even close to realistic, that they fail to realize that it was never based on being realistic, but act and feel more like a comic

so my answer to the titles' question, i say it depends

[Jsynn7]

Graphix are the last thing on my list of what to look for in a game. They help considerably but, in the end, you don't play graphix. Gameplay and story are the major things I look for in a game. As long as the story pulls me in and the gameplay is solid and fun, I'm good. I'm playing Xenogears and FFVII (PS1 games) Graphix aren't stellar by today's standards but their stories and gameplay mechanics are timeless. I feel sorry for graphix whores. They can never truly appreciate a great game for what it is because they judge the book by the cover.

[WildArmed]

=/ your point was valid till last gen.
Now, this gen has too much potential.
I shouldnt need to see games with graphics looks like a psx game.
There is a reason why the price of consoles and games are high.
I expect them to deliver everything.
Ofc, I dont expect everything to be U2.
but alteast looks like 360/ps3 game. I dont wanna see GoWII visuals on the current gen of consoles. Thats just lazy-ness on the devs part.

[Bodyboarder_VGamer]

Remember that FF and Xenogears are Jrpgs with menu based combat. Those 2 examples you used there are like, the worst case scenarios you could bring to talk about graphics, man. lol

Normally games don't depend so much in the quality of the story as a 40 hour jrpg to maintain you hooked. Gameplay for a Jrpg is very basic and easy to make and it keeps you addicted like gambling, because of the constant upgrades. You're getting stronger after every fight, nothing is wasted because you earn money too to buy stuff and make the characters stronger.

That's why so many people call them cheap and that japanese game development is dying. Their focus is the Story and forget about everything else. The FF series often use graphics to distance themselves from other Jrpg's when there are other games in the same genre that are far superior.

This could be used as another prove that graphics do matter.

[Ravage27]

the main reason why the FF series sold so much better than its rivals?
Definitely due to its bar-raising graphics(not anymore..but wadeva) that took years of production and millions in budget to achieve. You can say story is important, but i can come up with loads of RPGs that have better storylines.

Graphics should never be the focus that i agree with, but there should always be a balance. I didn't buy a PS3 to play sub-HD(SO4 comes to mind) and fugly(Prototype) games. If gameplay was all that matters, i would have stuck with my ps2.

[sikbeta]

Why we can't get all in the same game, Graphics + Story + Gameplay, as a gamer I want the best

[Fishy Fingers]

They don't seem to matter so much when your exclusives dont have them, yet matter hugely when the multiplat comparisons come round.

Basically if the game your championing doesn't have cutting edge, it's all about the gameplay, yet when it does, the graphics seems to get all the attention.

Personally, it's yes and no for me, I wont turn my nose up at a great game because its not the finest looking title available, but, I still expect a certain level of quality, I didnt spend all this money to play last gen looking games. It's give and take, but a game needs balance, not just one great aspect, be that visuals, gameplay, story, whatever.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

your right i do find it funny that it only matters to multiplatform titles lmao

[Ravage27]

you won't believe the number of hypocrites saying that PS3 exclusives don't look so much better than 360's yet every single time a lensoftruth article pop up, those idiots will turn up without fail, uttering nonsense like 'the mud looks sharper!' 'hahaha we have 1% less screen tearing!!' 'you must be blind if you can't see how much better looking the 360 version is!!' 'ps3 version looks washed out! 360 ftw!'

Check out the articles' posting history if you don't believe me. Then again i don't blame those poor souls, those pitiful sods probably have yet to lay their eyes on the current gen champions like UC2,KZ2 & GT5:P.
Sooner or later, they have to start facing reality, with GT5,GOW3,HeavyRain and LastGuardian next year, it's no longer possible to deny the truth.

[callahan09]

I agree with you for the most part, Fishy. But at the same time I won't turn my nose up at an ugly title, either, if it's fun to play. I really appreciate gorgeous graphics and cinematic presentation when a game offers it, but if a game has a lot to offer gameplay-wise then the graphics mean absolutely nothing to me. Disgaea 3, for example, is one of the most fun games for me this generation, but it's clearly not even close to this generation's standards in terms of graphics. The graphics aren't as important as the game design and in the case of Disgaea, the humor. There's also Comet Crash, which is a brilliant strategy game. It's not as pretty as PixelJunk Monsters or even Savage Moon, but it's a helluva fun game. And I'd also like to mention Echochrome, which is just extremely simplistic black and white visuals, nothing at all to get you excited in terms of graphics, but its unique gameplay made it worth all the while.

And when it comes to the Wii, I mean I personally liked Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World more than Tales of Vesperia. I just love games with a monster-collecting aspect (Folklore, Magi Nation, Pokemon, etc.), and the addition of that feature in Dawn of the New World was really cool. Graphics aren't nearly as pretty as Vesperia, but it was just a really compelling game for me. Also there's Wii Bowling, which I would play any day before I'd play High Velocity Bowling, just because I prefer the controls. Same goes for Tiger Woods. This year, I bought Tiger 2010 for Wii because of the Wii-Motion Plus controls, and I'm glad that I did, it's just more pleasant to play in my opinion even though the graphics are basically crap in comparison to the 360/PS3 versions.

[sikbeta]

@Fishy Fingers

You are right, I always want the best and not be content with half assed Graphics/Gameplay/Story, I'm looking at you OF:DR and the others f*cked up ports, not saying if It doesn't have the best graphics is a bad game, just want the game to keep the quality as high in every way as possible

[NotoriousWarrior]

lol at people who think that graphics don't matter. people seem to think that graphics are there just to attract people.

Graphics are as important as gameplay, If graphics are sh!t then the whole experience is ruined. Would Uncharted 2 be as good gameplay if its graphics wearn't as great?

360 fans always come and talk about gameplay > graphics but at times when Forza 3 dissapointed they go and complain. that is proof that gaphics are important. It makes the experience that much better.

Keep saying they don't matter and you will keep this generation of gaming on Halo graphics level or even Gears or any other game that only upgrades its guns and perks to sell again.

Disagree all you want the truth is here to stay.

[Zeevious]

Graphics - Gameplay - Story - Innovation

Too often if your competitor's game is at 700p and your's 720p, suddenly, those 20x extra pixels are all the world.

TEST IT:
We've secretly replaced these consoles with Folger's Crystals.
Can YOU tell the difference?

Any TRUE 'fan' can immediately tell Console A has 22 more crystals than Console B!

Ask any of these 'fans'...if graphics really didn't matter...why did they buy a NextGen system in the first place? It can't be just for the hypocritical BS, can it?

Here I thought it was to actually play NextGen games.

Graphics matter. Gameplay matters. Story matters. Innovation matters.
Above all...Competition matters.

It gives us all better games, cheaper consoles & each platform trying to outdo the other...which is great for gamers everywhere.

[WildArmed]

lol yup.
Ps2 n wii still have good games coming out if gfx didnt matter, no need to upgrade eh?

[Ron_Burgundy]

How about graphics AND gameplay, which is why the PS3 is beast

[Kill Crow]

coz they're stupid

[PlayStation X]

and xtards think only sales matter
coz there retarded

[PlayStation X]

why did people upgrade from ps1 to ps2 and now ps3??
gameplay? sales?

[dustgavin]

Yep. PS3 has been coming out with some amazing looking games that play like a dream.

[chrisulloa]

LOL PS3tards thinking their gameplay is even as remotely good as the 360 exclusives.

[Bodyboarder_VGamer]

Graphics make the same experience feel different and even better because it provides the powerhorse to make new things. Example? Capcom's Dead Rising. The game's not the same experience in the Wii as the X360 version, with less zombies and lower graphic quality... {{{Note that I said that it was a different experience and not a worse game. If it has lower graphic quality, that's a fact, not my opinion.}}}

But yeah, it is not the same leap as 2D to 3D. That could be considered innovation. What devs are doing now is perfecting this 3D thing. As for now, I could happily live with my PS3 the entire 10 year life circle without any upgrades. Graphics right now are at a point that I do not need them to go any further to increase my enjoyment. And this is the first time I say this. Because it is true that with every gen I was impressed with the increased graphic quality but after a year or so I was completely bored of them and wanted something even better. But after 4 years of X360 and 3 of PS3 I still want more of them!

-------------------------
But what about the Wii you say? It has the same graphics as a PS2.

Forget it. That's another level of interaction. I am talking about traditional gaming. But what about Wii 2? What if the Wii 2 only brings better graphic quality? Would you do the upgrade just for that? I bet a lot of people will be upgrading to Wii 2 as soon as it comes out even if the only upgrade are the graphics with a refined controller. We been doing that for years! Since the Nintendo Entertainment System and further back.

We're doing the same with the Televisions from SD to HD, black and white to color. PC's and Movies. Yep movies, have you seen how many remakes have been recently? It is the same story you now... But updated and people still pays to go and watch them in the cinema.

-------------
Conclusion
-------------

Yes, graphics do matter. It all depends what you do with them that makes the game timeless. Or do you think that Mario Bros 3 would have been the same legendary game with Atari graphics? Nop. I don't even think it could have been possible even if you remove the graphics... The interaction with the game was at another level than what the Atari could provide, it was a revolution. The further you go back you'll see that better graphics often provided better tools to create better gameplay.

[Aquarius]

you deserve a bubble.

[DARK WITNESS]

well said.

I could post some long thing, but you summed it up beautifully.

have a bubble.

[Swiftfox]

I think gamers expect a certain standard in regards to graphics. Graphics are also slave to what the developer wants to do with the gameplay and mechanics that define that gameplay.

Though I always believed Music/Sound and Gameplay to far outweigh graphics, I would like to say that the graphics should work in harmony with the other aspects of the game to enhance the experience of the player.

Cutting edge graphics are nice, but I am perfectly happy if the developer reaches and esthetic appeal and a comfortable level of quality.

[MajorJackHoff]

Yes, graphics do matter.

Try releasing a new PS3 or 360 game with the graphics of Mario 64.

People would laugh. Point proven.

[scott182]

They used 100 % of the cell with there engine, they will make the engine better and use 100% again with an even better looking uncharted 3!

[BO WALEED]

I care about Physics more than Graphics :P
...
PS3 guys don't tell me that PS3 has better graphics than Xbox.. Xbox win many face to face.. and bayonetta is better on Xbox and we all know that :P

Xbox wins everything, yeah it has better GPU .. :)

[Doc Sony]

Uncharted 2

[PlayStation X]

why do multiplat/xbox360 games look last gen?

(cause i been playing uncharted!)

[nix]

thank god for 360 fanboys... there's always a multiplatform game to hang on to... lol.

i think LBP has one of the best physics.

[Alpha_Gamer]

Good graphics are important. However, I have NEVER docked a game off for having bad graphics, I just don`t care. IMO, a beautiful environment and great art direction are more important. Amazing graphics compliment these two, just like Uncharted 2.

[alphakennybody]

ha I pity those who say it doesn't matter, really,graphic add immersion where gameplay isn't enough fools. Especially at this day and age where technology is evolving around the clock,there no questioning about graphics i.e U.C 2 i bet if it had average graphics the media would go on a craze bashing it even if the rest of the gameplay was good.

[Figboy]

when the PS3 launched and games like Resistance: Fall of Man failed to match the visuals of Gears of War.

now that PS3 games have been surpassing 360 outings since, well, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune in 2007, suddenly graphics don't matter, and it's all about the game play.

in truth, graphics and gameplay go hand in hand in crafting memorable gaming experiences.

Uncharted 2 would have no doubt been an awesome game regardless of the visuals, but the fact that it features such astounding graphics helps to immerse the players in the world, as well as form a more meaningful connection between Nathan Drake and the player. if he didn't look, animate, and behave as realistically as he did, the effect would be lessened.

if developers are able to pull off amazing visuals without sacrificing quality game play, i'm all for it. so far, Sony's first and second party developers have been doing just that.

if anything, i see third parties resting on their laurels more often, hoping that their pretty Unreal Engine 3 game will distract the gamer from their game's mediocre game play.

most of the console exclusives these days tend to have both, and i don't see a reason why they shouldn't just so that the fanboys of console(s) not capable of such visuals will sleep better at night.

never before have a seen a generation where developers have been so willing to compromise their vision so that all platforms had the same exact game.

didn't stop them when SNES multi-plats were looking better than the Genesis counterparts, or when Xbox multi-plats looked better than their PS2 counterparts.

but NOW, all of a sudden, developers want to be fair and "equal" instead of playing to the strengths of either console. and believe me, now that just about all of the developers are out there working with their second and third generation gaming engines, there is no excuse why they aren't optimizing their code to work within the strengths of the PS3 and 360. the hard work was crafting their engine. now that that's done, the cost of developing games will lower. just like last generation (at the start, the PS2, for example, was expensive and difficult to develop for. by mid-lifecycle, around year 3, developers that didn't write off the PS2 had working engines that could be used to create further games, thus lowering the overall development costs of developing for the PS2).

this generation has been a sea of dirty pool. from the developers, to the media, to the fanboys. i'm REALLY disappointed in that aspect of the media, but fortunately, there are SOME developers that still have a love for the craft (ie, all PS3 exclusive developers, and companies like Bioware, 2K Games, Bungie, etc), and are at least creating enjoyable game experiences to the best of their abilities.

i can't say i'm disappointed in the games (this has been a rather impressive console generation so far software wise), but the PEOPLE this time around are behaving absolutely APPALLINGLY.

[meetajhu]

Shadow of Colossus is one game if played by any PC gamer or Xbox fanboy will suck them to become a Sony fanboy like me! I'm not kidding that game is got no voice acting,no story... But the game does the talking.I haven't finished it yet. But i need a HD remake! Still wondering how to kill the flying Colossus!

[Kain81]

...a Masterpiece...a untold Tale...undescribable Beauty

[ia_studio]

correction, they're better than art

[chad22hkd]

Graphics are very important. I hear people say all the time its about the gameplay. They are right but only in a small way. Its both great gameplay with crap graphics suck. But crap gameplay with great graphics suck. Graphics are why we update systems each generation. If gameplay only mattered we would still be playing ps2. It has way more games then any next gen console. The console and games are cheap. But I do think a game with amazing gameplay and descent graphics can out shine the competition. Because at the heart of games its about fun. I beat uncharted 2 last week. I my opinion it's the best experience I have had this gen. It's amazing gameplay and graphics. But know I have moved on to trine. A old school 2 d platformer. That doesn't have UC2 graphucs but has great gameplay. People also forget it's about story. Thousands are replaying ff7 now for that reason.

[Droid Control]

but more important is a unique art style. And gameplay. And story, and music.

Its a key ingredient to any great game.

[NecrumSlavery]

Uncharted 2 uses 100% of the current cell power, which is still at 50% of the PS3s capabilities. Plus the engine of uncharted can aleas improve. The ps3 had a lot of growth in it.

But most 360 owners don't own a nice TV, so they don't understand what HD looks like, or just jealous of those who have it

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

Killzone 2 is a prime example on how graphics isn't everything.

[SaberEdge]

You're both full of crap. I just got done playing Killzone 2 for about 8 hours and I love it. By far one of the best shooters I have ever played and has kept me coming back like few shooters before it.

Halo is also a really good game. Do you think millions of hardcore gamers play it because it is a crappy game? Does it matter that Metal Gear Solid 4 is also sub-HD, or does that only apply to 360 games?

The only reason you guys think that way is because you are fanboys. Please wake up and realize that good games can be found on both consoles.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

I'm sure some people liked Killzone 2 and that's fine. But I just found it boring. Just the same ole dark war shooter I been playing for years. And I really hated the controls. Never played it after that new patch tho'

[ultimolu]

Oh really? You only found it boring halo because you've never played it. Always bashing those PS3 exclusives aren't we?

[i3eyond the Circle]

My Avatar is Scolar Visari.

And I even found KZ2 to be only a good 1month game.

Halo has maybe 30X the content and customization.

Zombies ftw.

[sikbeta]

NO, Killzone 2 is a prime example of how a sequel can be better than the first

Remember QUALITY > quantity

[kraze07]

I'm guessing all the people saying graphics are the most important part of a game are the same people that just started gaming this generation. How good a game looks is important and good graphics could really change how a game is experienced, but I still play Atari games every now and then and it really doesn't bother me that they don't look anywhere as good as current gen games. If people care how good something looks in a game then try walking outside and seeing how good something looks in real life for a change.

Call me a hypocrite if you want, but I will say that when it comes to PC gaming and testing out your rig graphics can be considered far more important than usual.

[n4f]

art style does matter.
gameplay does matter.
on every top 100, why do classic take majority of the 100?
gfx? no

[Jdoki]

A well told, immersive, story/game doesn't necessarily need good graphics.

However, good graphics (or more accurately, good art direction and level design) can massively add to the immersion, and help story telling.

[dredgewalker]

Would you rather sleep with a pretty girl or a butt ugly girl? Of course the experience is better if the visuals look great.

[n4f]

imagine if the good girl doesnt know how to please you
and the less good girl know all ur fantasy

[maxxb117]

I'd still pick the good looking girl...

[dredgewalker]

@n4f
lets be honest, it doesnt matter if she just lies down as long by just looking at her she gives me a big boner. I know what you mean though, if its only the graphics and not the gameplay is good then the game aint worth it, but fortunately for me ive been having a blast this year with great looking games that are equally good at the gameplay department.

[koehler83]

Graphics mattered every time you ever bought a new console or upgraded your PC.

[maxxb117]

When you got graphics as good as this, that's when you realize why graphics sometimes is more important than gameplay.

[fOrlOnhOpe57]

Vision is the means by which we take the majority of the information from the world around us, then surely this would confirm the importance of the LOOK of any game. A book relies upon the quality of the written word to convey an idea or a mental image so obviously a VIDEO game should utilise its graphical qualities .

Hopefully this will be achieved ALONGSIDE a decent story, script, voice acting, controls etc etc....Result - a game like Uncharted2.

Besides, isnt it human nature to strive to 'build a better wheel'; to im prove and better on what has gone before? Dont people generally PREFER to look at people and objects that have that certain WOW factor? Its not necessarily always a good thing, but true nontheless.

Give a talented Dev the right tools and hardware, apply a rich sprinkling of imagination and hey presto!
My jaw dropping moment was courtesy of Guerrilla Games and the lighting effects seen in the Stahl warehouse level. Not seen ANYTHING even close yet - but guess what - I know I will do someday.

[FadeToBlack]

Yes graphics do matter...

[RadientFlux]

For me graphics for me, matter up to a certain point. Maybe it has something to do with growing up during the NES days.

[Salginon]

If the graphics are good, but the game bad..lose. If the game is good, and graphics only fair..win.

[DigitalAnalog]

It's called "progression"....... ...

[LittleBigSackBoy]

Since I still think FF7 is the best game ever made. And i enjoyed it the most out of every game i've played, I'd say no.

[Jamescagney]

I've played games that have pretty crappy graphics but have excellent gameplay. Meh, I'm a graphics whore but I can appreciate great gameplay no matter what the graphic quality is.

[mayberry]

I've posted this b4, imho, we as gamers that share this HOBBY, are looking for the ultimate experience! i.e. total immersion in a world that isn't reality. Virtual reality is the key word! Until smell-o-vision and feel-o-vision come to fruition, we have to rely on the most modern venues to get to where we want to be! And on this date in time GRAPHICS are the number one way to do this! So, in my opinion, yes, graphics matter a helluva lot in gaming!

[REALZILLA]

16.1 -
imagine if the good girl doesnt know how to please you
and the less good girl know all ur fantasy

That is called a last call chick, booty call.

[Nihilism]

Grpahics don't make a game enjoyable, but it's a nice addition, i think it sucks that aloty of developers think that they can just do a weak graphics game and get away with it though. The bar has been raised and some people just aren't willing to put the effort in to keep up, infinity ward for example, they did the hard yards back in the day, and now they think they've earned our money for anything they put out, regardless of how little effort they put in.

1080p needs to be standard. I personally don't see the point in upgrading from a 1680*1050 monitor but if i had to choose again it would be 1080p for sure

[duysmith]

thief! system shock 2! doom! half life! duke nukem!

play any of thoes now and youll say damn these graphics look like a 5 year old drew them with cheap knockoff crayola crayons.

but the gameplay, storytelling, and sound is amazing.
so no, i personally dont think graphics matter

[WMW]

well those games were the best looking games of their time so that doesn't prove much but lets be serious most people wouldn't play legend of zelda ocarina of time over twilight princess or any old game over a new one because people want games to improve . graphic improvements are just as important as gameplay i didn't pay hundreds of dollars for a system and $60 for a game to look 2-3 gens old.

[dredgewalker]

Graphics are the main reason for the fast evolution of pc and consoles. Ive been a gamer for 30 years and in all those years eye candy was one of the main reasons for me upgrading my pc's. Let's face it, men generally are stimulated visually and i cant find myself playing the games i started out with years ago.

[hoops]

Graphics should not matter if gameplay is great.
Bu graphics only matter to fanboys.
Xbox fanboys last generation talked about graphics...this gen Sony fanboys talk about graphics.

[dredgewalker]

This isn't about fanboyism for me. I buy games based on graphics and gameplay, it won't do without the other for me. A lot of games coming out this year have already proven that you can have both. I can still play some old favorite games from within my 30 year gaming but can you make someone else in this generation play those games without laughing at my generation because the graphics would look silly by comparison.

[Jamaicangmr]

Yes it matters and it's almost as important as gameplay. So don't be hypocrites.

[00]

As long as it doesn't look like pixelated squares.

[i3eyond the Circle]

Playing Borderlands and its maybe the best game I've played all year and its cel shaded.

Graphics matter.

But to think that people are missing out on something because you played a game with better graphics is retarded.

I can see 2D from 3D but not polygon for polygon when the difference is only minute.

[Jihaad_cpt]

it's a visual medium so yes graphics matter

[Shawshank22]

Thanks for all the replies guys and gals, seems its really sparked a few arguments and theories. Anything to get you talking eh!

[Chainblade]

buy an atari 2600 if you think graphics doesnt matter

[Nicaragua]

Graphics are just another part of the immersion in a game, I tend to find that the more immersed I am in the game then the more I enjoy it – however graphics are not the be all and end all of gaming, just a cherry that goes on the gaming cake.

2 of my favourite games of all time (Elite, Deus EX) would be considered horrible to look at by today’s standards but the overall experience was top notch due to the immersion. Same goes with stuff like FF7 and the original Metal Gears which is why I guess everyone is always clamouring for remakes.

Recently I just purchased Demons Souls for the PS3 and sold Resident Evil 5. Resi 5 is much better graphically than Demons Souls but as a game it stank, Demons Souls is just a better experience despite its lack of graphical polish.

[mayberry]

I went on the g4 HD channel to see what they had 4 uncharted 2- NOTHING!
But they had like 5 0r 6 clips 4 odst, so I watched 2 or 3 of em. Not being a fanboy, just observing that the game looks very ps2 ish. music was boring, visuals looked almost 2d, gun and explosion sounds were very good. But if this was a ps3 exclusive i'd guess maybe sales would be around 250k lifetime! sorry, just really graphically last gen imho.
<edit> BTW, why no uc2 footage at all on g4 comcast on-demand!

[PirateThom]

If a game sucks, it sucks, no amount of polish is going to make it better, Resident Evil 5.

Meanwhile, a good game, with a good amount of polish, just enhances the experience that much more, Uncharted 2.

Wii is judged differently, but it still has good games with good amounts of polish and it comes out looking like Super Mario Galaxy.

[PirateThom]

Also, it really annoys me when people dismiss graphics outright, you know who you are.

No, they're not more important than gameplay, but, why do you hate that it enhances the experience?

[Yomiro]

If we are in the so called next gen then they should matter and if graphic don't matter to some people then they should buy a ps1, ps2 or a wii or maybe even an xbox.

[divideby0]

well, if you recall that was the way MS entered this next generation of consoles, touting HD gamming.

[tiamat5]

Let me answer that by explaining something I noticed the other day while playing God of War 2. It was fighting against the boss with the spear who made ice pillars and Minatours appear, Theseus I think. As I fought him in the background the sun was setting and I noticed that when I moved the shadows lengthed and shifted according to were I and the Boss stood. As looked at the whole scene I realized that this scene was beautiful. People always jump to say graphics don't matter (usually Nintendo Wii owners defending ugly games like Conduit and House of the Dead). But I realized that if God of War had ugly graphics, it would have completely taken me out of the experience. Nothing worse then playing a game to to see a big ugly glitch staring you in the face(cough!!!.....Conduit). So talk all you like. If graphic don't matter so much way don't most people still own a SNES or Sega System instead of a PS3 or Xbox?

[cloudkev]

But only when the gameplay is good enough can you not care about gfx. Example, I could still play the Wind Waker and enjoy it both because of gameplay and the cell shaded gfx is a bonus.

[djfullshred]

The sum of all aspects in a video game added up togther is what makes the difference between a great game or lame game. As long as other aspects of the game are great, the graphics don't have to be. But no one likes poor graphics these days. There is no reason for that with today's hardware, so it just looks like a half-assed game if the graphics are on the poorer end of the scale.

[Yomiro]

Is it better to watch a movie on HD or SD...or black and white or color?

[The_Nameless_One]

Who the hell uses a light blue text on a blue background? The person who design that web site is an idiot.

[WMW]

graphics do matter no matter what people say if they don't to you then don't buy any new consoles. also good graphics don't mean realistic ratchet an clank, nauto ultimate ninja storm, lbp and heavenly sword is aren't realistic good graphics can look like anything . graphics even add to gameplay alan wake wouldn't be as interesting if the lighting didn't look good and uncharted wouldn't be as cinematic and immersive without the amazing graphics. graphics do matter it only doesn't matter to the people who don't have games with good graphics on their console.

[RockmanII7]

A game can still be enjoyable w/o great grapics

[STONEY4]

Graphics matter alot. Would you wan't to play GT5 or Uncharted 2 if the grapics looked PS2ish, or if everything looked like Unreal Engine? No. Even if it had the best gameplay, no one would care about it if it had bad graphics.

[rmedtx888]

Graphics do matter. I'm sure the Xbox is capable of producing amazing graphics. The probem there I believe is the storage media. Where are you going to store all the resources for that visual beauty... 4 DVDs?

[n4gno]

"can the Xbox 360 contend with such a powerful display of power?"

sure, no, even uncharted the first is impossible.

[mayberry]

Year head start, easier to program for, where's the uncharted one graphics!.... waiting..... goes to play uncharted TWO!