I try to find something that can withstand the test of time. Obviously the graphics will be dated, but it is the overall fun factor, gameplay, and player experience I would like to hold onto when going out and purchasing my game of choice.

When I was alot younger and naive, I would buy the game during its debut based on the amount of buzz that was generated by my friends or crappy magazines. Now, it is a combination of things.

Graphics

Graphics do play a part but it doesn't have to be photo realistic to suspend my sense of disbelief - a huge factor when it comes to selecting games. Graphics do not have to use the latest engine or utilize highly detailed 3D models. However, the graphics DO need to set the tone of the game and the atmostphere it is trying to establish for the player. If the graphics look exactly like a person but doesn't behave or move like a person, then I wasted my money on the game. I remember playing Quake 2 and the original Jedi Knight at one point and thought "Wow, Quake 2 has really cool graphics". Since Jedi Knight did not have the same kind of sharp textures and highly detailed models Quake 2 had, it concentrated on other details (such as how the environment interacted with the player) to keep the casual player immersed in the game. I've always believed that the challenge facing game makers was to come up with interesting ideas with the graphics, rather than just focusing on making a game look superficially better.

Traditionally, increasingly realistic graphics have kept gamers coming back for more. The look and feel of games has changed massively since the days of pixellated black and white creatures on screen. A game like tennis has evolved from the basic two paddles of Pong in 1972 to the realistic looking matches we now see, featuring superstars of the sport. What can we do to tennis now? How is better looking tennis going to get people to buy the game? James Rubin of Naughty Dog (the developers responsible for Jak II) feels the same way I do:

"If you're going to beat Gran Turismo 4, you're not going to do it by having shinier cars."

Graphics can also be timeless by introducing a coherent environment for the player to react emotionally. Here are some of the older games I still play even after its debut more than 10 years ago:

• Descent: Freespace (PC)
• Ninja Gaiden (NES)
• Star Ocean (SNES)

Sound/Music

Sound inevitably goes hand in hand with graphics. Unless you're completely deaf, the player experience is enhanced through the use of sound and how well it lends it self to the player's current surroundings. The music plays a more harder role since it helps the player give themselves a sense of belonging when they plop themselves in front of the screen to continue their adventures. Music and Sound should always be at equal footing with graphics. How well the music is composed makes a huge difference to me. I've been playing piano since I was five so I expect alot from the music. Another element that shouldn't be overlooked in games is how well it dynamically interacts during situational moments with the player.

Here are some of the games I've played with some of the best music and sound:

• Chronotrigger (SNES)
• Zelda (NES)
• Phantasy Star 2 (GENESIS)
• Warcraft II (PC)
• Wing Commander 1 & 2 (PC)

Gameplay

Gameplay is golden cornerstone of all games. It defines what the player will experience from the beginning to end. How the player will experience the story, the enemies and environments in creative ways will determine how entertaining and fulfiling the game will be. When weighed with graphics and sound, gameplay takes the cake. However, I also believe that great gameplay does not work well alone. Usually, when a game with high production values have good graphics and sound, the mechanics of the game work out very well. However, sometimes this isn't the case. Unlimited Saga is a good example of great graphics, sound, and music, but the player's experience is horrid. Gameplay's level of uniqueness makes it a very important element. Gameplay is the binding glue that keeps the player enthralled in its graphics and sound. It is a keeps the you in a cohesive world and leaves you coming back for more and gives you a unique experience. Simply put. It is just so phreakin fun.

Old games with great gameplay:

• Actraiser (SNES)
• River City Ransom (NES)
• Jedi Knight (PC)
• Rise of The Dragon (PC)

Company Reputation

This does play a part for me. I'm a bit partial to games made by Blizzard, Lucasarts, Konami, and Square Enix simply because they care about their company image. Companies that string together a strong and consistent track record of good games are likely going to get the toughest critics to buy their games. This includes myself.

Game Box Art

This doesn't make to much of a deal to me but I like buying a game with nice box art. Of course, this doesn't easily influence my buying decisions but I sometimes make a huge deal of it. Usually, a sign of a well developed game is one that reflects all aspects of the game....including its box art. I believe that gaming companies that care about how good their games are also care much about how their games appear on the store's shelves. These companies include Blizzard, Square Enix, Lucasarts, Sierra, EA, etc.