Well, I don't know what to tell you Johnny boy. I would say it depends on the genre. In RPG's, I would say game mechanics (gameplay, same difference), length, difficulty, & most importantly, a great storyline.

Action, well basically intense action, few puzzles, & great music.

Fighters. I would just have to say cool looking characters, & moves that are easy to pull off (none of that up, down, left+down+up+left+right+down+a+b crap.)

I always look for story, replay value, fun factor, overall gameplay (easy cotrols, or uresponsive, inadequate controls)

But lately video games suck. I can beat just about any game within a week. I remember classic Nintendo games being harder than games that are out now. You'll probably find this sad, funny, maybe even pathetic, but I never beat the first Mario Bros. game for Nintendo! Damn that bowser & the millions of hammers he tossed! Yet, I was able to beat Resident Evil 1, 2, & 3 in less than a week (not all at once, all at different months)

I didn't really argue with ya, but tell me what your view on gaming is.