My favorite games are addictive- the kind where you just have to play a while longer and let the laundry wait another day.

A good game is quickly understood, shows me something new (or something old in a new way), and keeps my interest. I’m easy, I know.

Game physics is most important.

It’s all about the story and flow…

The best games to me are those that require little skill to pick up and enjoy but a lot of skill to dominate. Although it is really cliche, brickbreaker is a great example of this. Anybody can play the pong style game and have fun for a bit, but to cycle through the twenty-some odd levels multiple times on your way to a score in the 10s of thousands requires skill and patience. ND

I don’t know if this is supposed to be elements in an iPhone game or other platforms but I like when colors, elements and transitions are fluid. I also like when things ‘Pop’ on screen. In terms of iPhone games I really have enjoyed flight control for its simplistic and graphically appealing interface.

easy to learn.
quick advancing (like short chapters in novels)
clean design
unlocking features (after achievements have been made)

I definitely look for replay value above all else. Nice art design doesn’t hurt either.

I love the “addictiveness” of certain games as a great element of a good game. I know that is hard to quantify (or even qualify), but if a game keeps me coming back for more then that makes it a great game for me. Games like Geometry Wars, Everyday Shooter, Tetris, Burnout, and Lumines come immediately to mind, but there are surely countless others.

For me, games that draw you in quickly are best and then build up over time to keep you involved. Intuitive controls that feel part of the action are also key.

The game has to have a simple user interface and is easy to understand the objective from the start. No one wants to read a game manual. The games that leave you wanting to complete another level when your breaktime is over are the best!

A captivating story…period.

For iPhone game
Graphics
Quick game play
High score
No ads

There is no definitive list of ingredients a game must have to make it engaging for me. The Monkey Island games of the old adventure/puzzle school used to mesmerize me for days – so can “Call of Duty” or Arcade-type mini games. But I guess one thing these games often have in similar are their ability to capture my interest quite quickly. These days I don’t have time to spend hours trying to figure out if I like a game or not – I must be hooked from the start. Either with brilliant graphics, gameplay, soundscapes or with a brilliant story.

the best games are quick to get into, but engaging enough to keep you hooked for hours – the trick to great iphone games, is taking advantage of the touchscreen, accelerometer and portability.

needs to have a unique and overall great concept.

I look for unique old school gameplay. Addictive and fun. But I also look something different and artistiq. Grafix difinately matters. And 3D is a 95% no-no!