What are the most fundamental things for a great video game?

[_Kilburn]

Versatile game mechanics that are hard to master but bring intense satisfaction once you do.

Small gimmicks that add a bit of variation to the game without being at the core of the gameplay. (a lot of recent indie games revolve exclusively around one gimmicky game mechanic, which is extremely annoying)

If the game has an abundance of "score" pickups (i.e. coins, gems, whatever), give a good incentive to grind them without making it necessary.

Good level design. (seriously that's incredibly important and again, a lot of indie games are falling short on that part)

Game mechanics that evolve as you progress further into the game. Either new abilities, new powerups, new level hazards or new enemies, as long as you have something new to play with to keep you hooked to the game.

If the above isn't possible due to the nature of the game, then a good story can make up for it.

NOT shitty "8-bit" "retro" "pixel art".

Surprises. If a game manages to make me go all "wait what" and "whoah holy shit", then it's a good game in my record. :v:

There are a lot more aspects I enjoy in games but I believe the ones I mentioned above are the most important ones.

[Original User]

My favorite game of all time is Fallout: New Vegas. The only thing I can hate about it is the engine.

Now imagine an open world survival game that's a mixture between Stalker and New Vegas. I want believable settlements, reactive AI and a good story or even lack of story.

Basically, Fallout on a good engine.

[Egg_Toaster]

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