Things All the Best Video Games Have in Common

Ever since the 1980s and the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the popularity of video games has been consistently on the rise. While games have changed significantly over the years, the winning formula for a game that sells well and stands the test of time hasn’t changed all that much. Here are the main things all the best video games have in common.

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Storylines

The best video games have deeply engaging stories that connect you emotionally to the characters and your ultimate goal. While a story isn’t necessary – you can play great puzzle games like Tetris and even find the best slot site for you and stay engaged for hours – it certainly makes the experience far more immersive and enjoyable.

Also, a good storyline does not necessarily mean a game is relaxing, as the game’s plot has the potential to produce negative feelings, whether it’s through depressing moments or the inability to complete a meaningful mission. The most outstanding storylines can also be unexpected.

Among the best stories within video games – and there are many of them – are Silent Hill, the Final Fantasy series, The Last of Us, and Metal Gear Solid. Consider these games to be excellent examples of deep, immersive stories that offer that extra twist or reward at the end.

Visuals

Detailed graphics, although not critical, have been key selling points of some of the best video games. Examples are Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, and many other honorable mentions. A video game that provides the right level of craftsmanship within the characters, levels, and environments demonstrates the lengths that the developers went to in order to create an experience that pulls gamers in. Part of the need for stunning visuals comes from gamers being able to tell quite easily when a scene in a game doesn’t quite look right, which causes the game to be a little less believable. 

One modern innovation that pushes the edge of what gaming hardware and software can do is called ray tracing. Ray tracing places serious consideration into how light should work in video games. It offers the photorealism some gamers are looking for, as presented through reflections and reflections and how shadows work in the real world.

Challenges

Crisp graphics and a great storyline are building blocks for the best video games today. Going way back, the original Super Mario Bros. was a difficult game for its time, as it had no save points, and gamers needed to either trudge their way through it or have some word of mouth or a magazine tell them portal locations. Even a guide can’t save you from the patience needed to complete games like the Dark Souls series or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. These games are meant to be difficult, as they provide gamers who have the patience, skill, and time to complete them with a major sense of accomplishment.

Video game developers also have to balance between making their bosses and missions challenging and building video games that are just too hard. The transition from the first Super Mario Bros. game to the second is an example of this. Although Nintendo tested the original sequel on American gamers, they complained it was far too difficult. Nintendo had to respond by making a different, much easier game. Gamers who want an extremely hard version of Super Mario can check out Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels to see what Japanese players received. 

Open Worlds

Some gamers like being told what to do and when to do it, while others like to choose what to do and how to do it. Open-world games, which usually have numerous side tasks that can take hours to complete, allow gamers much more freedom to interact with their environments and characters. 

The best examples of games with open worlds are Fallout, No Man’s Sky, and the Grand Theft Auto Series, just to name a few.

Sound Design

Sound design is very important in video games, and maybe not even in the way we are expecting. Video game music is very important. Few gamers can forget the distinct moods produced when Mario went from being on a regular level to a castle. Specific sounds are unique, too, like collecting rings in the original Sonic the Hedgehog series. Today, one of the most popular games on Valve’s Steam is Counter-Strike 2, which has carried on for decades with the distinct radio voice telling players the bomb has been planted or defused.

Today, some games enable higher levels of surround sound, including 7.1. Gamers will need proper headphones or a speaker system to get the most out of these games, but the hardware is totally worthwhile for games that rely on directional sound to find friends and foes or to create a deeply immersive environment.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer isn’t necessary in video games, but when it’s done right, it’s fantastic. Massive online role-playing games have to nail multiplayer because community, interaction, and collaboration are often the main points of the game. 

However, playing with another human doesn’t necessarily require an internet connection. Old-school gamers will remember playing Street Fighter 2, Mario Kart, and Goldeneye while sitting together in the same room. Those were the days.

Conclusion

Video games are a passion for many adults and kids. The games that get nearly everything right stand the test of time and sell plenty of copies and downloadable content, as they provide years of memories to dedicated gamers.