When I looked at those videos on game mechanics, they mostly spoke on game theory and game mechanics. When they spoke of the mechanics, they spoke of game theory games (different from games).
They showed how game theory is so much more than just how a game should be made. They referenced German board games, chess, monopoly etc.
Games are games, computers or not. With this understanding, I could have a game with no music at all and still do well. For instance, chess doesn't really need music. If anything, just some elevator music in the back to ease the mood. Haha.
As for graphics, in another post Anael, Poodle, and I brought up the topic of those old text adventure games. Those games are rather intriguing and fun actually, and it has only text for graphics (In fact, I am thinking of making one).
I think it's a good idea to go back to the basics and say, ''what makes a game a game anyhow?" I see that it isn't just awesome graphics. Even though I wasn't a big fan of those rpg games, they seem to have more game mechanics in them that actually make them fun (reason why I judged them by the graphics, having not played it).
I remember this old game we had called War Games. I remember that game being so addictive,, mainly because you had to be more tactical (Reason why I don't like COD or HALO).
One reason I prefer the old school Tomb Raider over the new releases is that today they focus graphics to WOW people. They have better animations, better controls. But these games are just not as challenging as before.
Tomb Raider was known for it's elaborate puzzles. Took months to beat it. Sure, the controls were kinda boxy (gives me hope for making a decent game with Maratis haha) but the game was complete and challenging.
Modern games are dispensable for the most part (sports games have more re-play value).
It's rare that I find fun games (these shooters aren't that fun to me anymore, but a game that is like hide-and-seek, now that would be fun). In some way, these shooters have a sort of hide-and-go-seek mechanic to them which gives them that thrill aspect. It's not the shooting that is exciting. It is mainly that hide-and-go-seek mechanic that makes it thrilling (reason why I don't believe shooters are fun because they are shooters, again mechanics)