I ended up getting bored with WoW at level 85. I think Final Fantasy XI is probably the only MMO I've spent a lot of hours into, although visually it doesn't look at that amazing, you can watch a video of it on YouTube, not know what's going on and get bored. But generally you're thinking tactically and I found compared to WoW the classes had a lot more flexibility to them, meaning you could experiment with the more and try different kinds of methods to up your play style. It's mostly aided by the sub-job system (where you can combine classes), so a Corsair/Dancer would play differently to a Corsair/Ranger. But my opinion as far as MMOs go.
Anyway, on good games:
Graphics They have to be well suited to the game. They don't have to make the most of your graphics card, but they have to look good enough for the game. There are some old games I find difficult to play because their graphics are dated, but I think some games still pulled off a graphical style I can still play. Including Final Fantasy VII, which is pretty primitive, but they still suit it. I'll agree with the above, WoW's graphics were good because it suited the game and still looks good without requiring too much graphical power, meaning it can run on just about anything, making it accessible to people who aren't hardcore gamers. I think in another respect that's what graphics should consider: who do I want playing my game? And what systems do I want it to run on? If you're aiming for a casual market, you might want to hold back on the level of graphics a bit.
Music/Sound The music & SFX, like the graphics needs to suit the game. Not only that but they need to help build the right atmosphere. I've love Nobuo Uematsu's music and I think the Final Fantasy series lost a great composer. But at least he worked on Lost Odyssey, which had a great soundtrack.
Controls They've got to be intuitive enough for the player to pick up the game and play. I hate sitting around reading tutorials, I like to be able to pick up the game and play with minimal instructions. I don't like being spoon fed either. Menus come into this too. I think the key word is: ergonomics.
Story If you're going to have a plot focus, it needs to be well written, so that's three-dimensional characters, an engaging plot, good dialogue and basically the works. I HATE generic/cookie cutter plots, because it feels like you've seen it all before and it just ends up being not engaging you. However, I don't have a problem with cliches, sometimes cliches can work and I think cliches are actually difficult to avoid because so many things have been done before. When I play an RPG, I don't expect to see a story that's brand spanking new, different from the rest and to a degree I know what to expect, but the RPGs that engage me are the ones that put in the extra effort to make their characters believable, make the plot exciting and keep me wanting to know what happens next and is also met with good dialogue, though good dialogue is pretty rare in games I feel. Of course, I'm not against people trying new things and trying to be different, in fact, I encourage it.
I quite liked Nier, it didn't get many good reviews, but it has a decent plot, it has some cliches but it definitely engaged me and the dialogue was great and I'd say it's well written. There's a part of the game where you're only interacting with text (like in a text adventure) and I'd say that was well written. I will talk more about this game in gameplay. Also, the soundtrack was really good (it actually ticks all the right boxes for me). On the surface it looks like a Devil May Cry clone, but I'd say it's more than that (unlike say...Dante's Inferno). Lost Oddyssey is another I'd say had a strong well written plot, you can also pick up a series of dream sequences throughout the game that make up what's pretty much a novel.
The Gears of War series wanted to have a cinematic approach and with it they focused on plot as well as action, but to be honest, I didn't care about the plot, it just didn't interest me. It actually felt pretty generic.
Gameplay
It has to be engaging. I think it shouldn't be too repetitive, where game play elements repeat themselves try to mix it up a bit. In fact, I'd go as far as saying you don't have to feel restricted by the genre. There was some bosses in Nier that made it feel like I was playing a shoot em up,
for example.
I'd also say, a game needs to be challenging, I like it when a game can be difficult in places, so you feel determined to get past that bit, but obviously if a game is too difficult it can be a turn off. Some games I play because they like to be cruel to you, but I wouldn't say it's necessary for a good game, but if I end up swearing at a game AND keep playing, then you've done something right. But not every game I play to be frustrated, but I still expect to be challenged.
The other thing I would say a game shouldn't be too linear. I don't have anything wrong with linear games, in fact I like them, but I don't like games that feel like they're on rails. This was Final Fantasy XIII's big failing for me (and the dumbed down battle system). I don't think every game out there should be a big open world thing, but still, they can be fun.
