What would you prefer in games, graphics or gameplay? | Opinion

The next generation of consoles is ready to be released later this year. A few weeks ago, Microsoft showed gameplay footage of some of the games being published on their next generation console. The gameplay of Halo Infinite has been the highlight of the gameplay showcase. However, the footage of the game did not exactly impress the viewers.

Halo Infinite is one of the launch titles for the Xbox Series X and the gameplay and graphics of the game should show the power of the hardware inside the console. Seen from this point of view, the gameplay reveal is a disappointment to say the least. Perhaps, gamers and press are looking at it the wrong way?

A next-generation of games

The game studio and game developers behind Halo Infinite tried to recreate the look-and-feel of the first game in the series. When you take a closer look, the game looks similar to the games we already know from previous console generations with an open world design.

The gameplay reveal showed a first impression of the gameplay experience on a computer system with hardware as powerful as an Xbox Series X console. However, the textures and characters miss a certain depth and detail. The game also experienced pop-in of environmental elements.

Technical problems in the gameplay reveal

After further research, it became clear that the game opted for a dynamic lighting system. Considering the choice of the gameplay in a darker environments, the gameplay does not show its full visual potential. In other better lit parts of the game, the graphics will look better.

The gameplay footage of Halo Infinite shown at the gameplay showcase is not a representation of the game. Due to technical problems, slowdowns and artifacts of the livestream, the graphics of the game became less detailed. Reviewing the gameplay at a higher resolution makes Halo Infinite look much better.

A ray tracing patch offers a solution

A few tweaks to the game code and the implementation of other additional lighting systems and techniques may add more details to the presentation of Halo Infinite. A ray tracing patch takes advantage of the Xbox Series X hardware and adds more details and nuances to the dynamic lighting system.

Halo Infinite does indeed remind people of Halo - Combat Evolved, but perhaps the game studio got the look-and-feel a little bit too right. At the same time, with Microsoft marketing the Xbox Series X as the most powerful console ever, expectations have been set high for the reveal of the first gameplay.

The look-and-feel supports the game

It is clear, the gameolay reveal started a discussion. Should games in the next generation of consoles focus on the graphical presentation of the games, or create better gameplay experiences? Both is the answer, but there is more to it.

The Halo series is known for its storyline, characters and gameplay. The aesthetic of the game and art direction characterises the games. The simplistic look and colors are clear elements of the game and help create the world set in an intergalactic conflict. For gamers who enjoyed the previous games, it is a recognisable style.

A better gameplay experience

In the last decades, different types of games tried to show that the gameplay experience remains the foundation of a game, without it, the content is not considered as a game. Minecraft is a good example. Even with a more basic look-and-feel and extensive gameplay possibilities, the game turned an open world created with blocks into a canvas for creative gamers.

Nintendo, one of the most successful console and game publishers in the world, focuses more on the gameplay experience than the graphics of their game. This is a formula that both younger and older gamers support seen the number of users and success of the games.

Multiple generations, the same experience

Now, the games you enjoy most are the ones with great graphics and great gameplay. Ray tracing updates for games could be a great way to keep releasing games on the current generation of consoles, while making those same games look even better on the next generation of consoles.

This means that games are more accessible than ever before and gamers are not required to purchase the most recent console. The gameplay experience is considered as the the core and focus of the game. It remains unchanged between the different console generations.

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Disclaimer. This post contains copyrighted images from Halo Infinite, a video game developed be 343 Industries and published by Microsoft Studios. The fair use of copyrighted works for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting or research is not considered as an infringement of copyright.