Graphical quality is an often maligned aspect of the gaming world by those that consider themselves "hardcore". They look on those that demand high graphical quality as "newbs" and even whores, selling their standards for a pretty face.
But then again, what is the first thing we all do when an upcoming game is previewed? We post screenshots. So this begs the question, exactly how important is gameplay?
Well, I will counter with a hard and firm "It depends" Meaning: it depends on what kind of game it is.
Look at a game like Super Mario 3. Graphically, its ancient, but yet its still considered a masterpiece because of how engaging the gameplay is. But before using this as an endall, we also have to consider how gameplay and graphics complement each other. In SM3, the graphics were perfect for the game. There was no need for realism in a game that has a flying plumber bounding from cloud to cloud. It was a cartoon-like game with cartoon-like graphics. Nothing more was neceesary or wanted.
Now lets attempt to take that same formula to a game such as Total War. This is a game that THRIVES on realism, and demands a higher graphical quality.
I can
feel the horses charging in the screenshot. WiEven when the series was sprite-based on a 3D field, it was bleeding edge with the sheer volume of troops available. Using anything less would crush the realism of the battles and severely affect our enjoyment of the series.
What are your thoughts?