Key points to a good coherent game

In order to create a good coherent game I personally feel that the main key points are well designed characters, game-world, story, history, music, sound and art style. If all these areas are addressed well then your more than likely to create a good and interesting game.

Characters

My favourite character designs are from Final Fantasy X (PS2) the reason behind this is because the characters fitt well with the game environment and world this is very important as it make the game more believable for an example if you look at the character Wakka and his home town you can see how well they both fit.

As you can see the character looks at home and fits in very well with the games world and locations. Just by having well designed and coherent characters can draw in players into the game world.

Game World

The best example for a good game world to me is The Witcher 2 this world is very well design and full of life and atmosphere. The game world and environment fits in very well with the story and characters. for an example the first village you enter in the game is covered in forestry so the village is dirty and textured its not clean and archers patrol the woods outside the village small things like this helps to create a coherent world.

Also the way the world is visually designed is very important if the theme of the game works and flows together well with all the other key points then the game will be more enjoyable.

Story

Games can live and become successful just by having a good story line and one game comes into mind and that's Metal Gear Solid! This game is very well designed the visuals are unique and the characters are well designed but the strongest aspect of the game is its storyline.

The storyline was amazing and drew me in straight away however the story between Solid and Liquid was well created and this proves that a good story idea can be the strongest aspect a game could have.

History

If I game has back history for its story, game world, object and characters it creates a more realistic feel the game becomes more alive as giving a game history makes it more realistic, interesting and diverse. The best example for the use of history is the mighty series "The Elder Scrolls". 

As you can see this map is the games of The elder Scrolls and all game link with each other in history and in game-play. This creates a more realistic world because it makes you feel like your apart of a world not a game. Also when playing the games you are constantly remind and shown the history of the other games and world spaces.

Music and Sound

Music and sound can really sell a game and create a atmospheric world. for an example the music from Final Fantasy X really helps the game become more coherent and adds more character. By adding sound and music you create life and atmosphere.

Artistic Visuals
The style you choose to have your game shown and designed in is also important when creating a coherent world as its the first thing the player looks at and judges so if you have a dark game and its meant to be very jumpy and scary would you choose a cartoon effect like Spyro the dragon? A good example for good visual choice is the Xbox 360 arcade game Limbo.

As you can see the right choice has been made for this game because the game is meant to be spooky, lonely (lost) and unique and this game has truly made the right choice. This game really delivers a good coherent world and draws you into the game straight away using its visual style.