XXXXXX

The importance of atmosphere in a game...

Wasdie · 2008-10-23 09:52:46

Anybody who has been on SW for a while knows that when arguing about what makes a game it always comes down to graphics and gameplay. This is the basic argument, graphics vs gameplay...99.9% of people will instantly say gameplay > graphics as you don't actually play the graphics. Many also will agree that graphics can enhance a game dramatically. I believe that this argument is far to narrow as there are much more to the games graphics than just the eye candy. The argumetn graphics vs gameplay completely leaves out sound design, art direction, and general atmosphere of a game.Now take for instance Bioshock on the PS3, 360, and PC. Now ignoring the complaint that Bioshock is a stripped down clone of System Shock 2, the game still managed to score AAA on the majority of gaming websites and publications. Why is this? Well the gameplay was truely not much special. It was basic shooting with some extras with the plasmids which really didnt cover the fact that the general shooting was boring. Yet it still managed to hold the attention of many gamers to see it through to the end and get AAA even with no multiplayer. Why?! Surely there must be a reason.Its really simple. The atmosphere that the game created was unique and refreshing. It is a game that doesn't have the traditional feeling of a video game, instead you feel more like you are really living in Rapture. The game didn't just feature amazing graphics, it featured an art style that was really well done and very refreshing from what a traditional gaming experience offers. Its art deco style mixed with some intense lighting and excellent object modeling really made the game world come to life. Not to mention the just downright creepy audio of the game that included both the sound effects and the amazing voice acting by all of the NPCs.I mean if you didn't like Bioshock and thought it was lame, you were perhaps approaching it wrong or were playing in the wrong conditions. Or maybe you just didnt like it. But the reviews show that the majority of gamers at least thought it was good to play through once. Take other games for example. Shadow of the Colossus. The amazing atmosphere and graphics of that game really brought the world to life. Again you didn't feel like you were playing a traditional video game, you felt like you were really living in this world created by the developers using graphics and sound. Now compare those two games with a game like Call of Duty 4. It has amazing gameplay and very tight graphics, but when you play it, you really feel like you are playing a video game. It is a great game don't get me wrong. It just feels like the game machine that we have been playing for years. Same goes with games like Counter Strike Source and Halo 3. They just feel like video games.Games like Gears of War also are starting to implement some more methods to make games feel less traditional. Removing the hud from the screen, surrounding you in a very complicated environment and using the atmosphere to really enhance the gameplay.I believe that when comparing gameplay to graphics, you need to consider the atmosphere of the game as well. Thats why I believe that graphics are equally as important as gameplay in a video game, especially a modern video game. Games today need to keep up with new gameplay ideas but they cannot fall behind with the graphics or the entire game loses value. Would you want to have played through Oblivion if it looked just like Morrowind? Hell no.

52 results
1
2

This topic is locked from further discussion.

daftdog

910

Forum Posts

Wiki Points

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#51 daftdog

Member since 2003 • 910 Posts

I dont feel there has been that much atmosphere in many new gen games. I am hyped for Deadspace which was released today (UK) which from GS review the atmosphere is supposed to be fantastic. Heres Hoping!

16 years ago

Pro_wrestler

7880

Forum Posts

Wiki Points

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

#52 Pro_wrestler

Member since 2002 • 7880 Posts

How can you have one without the other :( This is why I despise games like Crysis. You get a different experience playing on 'low' settings than you would on 'very high,' even though the gameplay stays the same throughout each visual setting...or does it ;)

16 years ago