What Makes a Game Good?
I believe that what makes a game good is how it makes you feel while you’re playing it. For me that involves four elements, but it’s not an exhaustive list, and this isn’t a competition.
1. Emotional Resonance
The magic of a game is not reliant on its graphics, size, or complexity. Games, by their very nature, crystallize actions we're naturally inclined to enjoy. That can be a specific process like exploration and discovery, or an abstract one like achieving geometrical perfection. The better a game can tap into those emotional hooks, the more it will resonate with players. We’ve known this for years. People play Tetris to this day. They cried when they let their Tamagotchi die. It had nothing to do with their graphics or complexity – these were handfuls of pixels! But they perfectly captured the joy of sliding a block into place and caring for a helpless creature.
2. A Strong Viewpoint
Games are art, and art requires a strong viewpoint, one that permeates both its story and mechanics (aka the “ludonarrative”). “God of War”, for example, has a lot to say about rage and violence. Kratos giving up his whirling Blades of Chaos for the heavier and more deliberate Leviathan Ax means a lot for his character. When he is forced to pick up the Blades again - essentially becoming a version of himself he’s tried to leave behind - we feel the impact of the decision on him. The best games leverage their mechanics to complement and enhance their stories, creating resonant, harmonious experiences.
3. Depth that Rewards Investment
While games usually need a short “time to fun” to hook players, they should also offer a depth that rewards investment and learning. Instant gratification can only keep players interested for so long. And, retention without depth is addiction. Rewarding players who practice the mechanics, explore further, and “git gud”, transforms initial amusement into enduring engagement. (Brief aside: I am skeptical of the suggestion that AI could eventually build games for us. AI generated art rarely, if ever, contains the depth that justifies the surface attraction.)
4. Escapism+
Games, like all media, can provide a form of escapism and are often derided for it. But to paraphrase Neil Gaiman, some people - some kids especially - need an escape. And what’s more, when they return, they return with armor. That could be a lesson, or renewed confidence, or a friend made along the way. A great game experience can enrich the player, giving them more than just a transient diversion.
So that’s my take. What makes a game good isn't the technicalities. It's how the game feels, the experience the player has, the emotions evoked, and the memories they create. Ultimately, the value of a game lies in its ability to resonate with the player and leave a lasting impact.
