It is undeniable that video games have become very popular and widespread in the past decade. As they have evolved, we have seen a great variety of games and platforms that cater to nearly every type of would-be gamer. And with a great selection comes an even greater amount of heartfelt moments and cherished memories among friends when playing the game.

As a person who enjoys his daily dose of gaming, I could not be happier to be surrounded by so many choices. However, despite the diversity in what games there are to play, I still find myself referring to three main aspects that I simply cannot ignore. If one or more of these fields does not satisfy my needs, then I find myself having a much less enjoyable time. But, I will admit, that is just one gamer’s opinion.

The three categories are in order of least crucial to most crucial (but that is by no means saying that any of them are unimportant; this is an interactive medium we are talking about).

Graphics

Now I will be the first to admit I am a tad spoiled when it comes to aesthetics for my games. I will be inclined to play the original Pokemon games from time to time, but I can only stay immersed for so long at this juncture. Graphics do not have to be super-realistic in my book, so long as they keep me engaged and coming back for more. Some games that I personally find visually appealing are "Pokemon: Omega Ruby" and "Alpha Sapphire," "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," "Warframe," Fallout 3" and the "Gears of War" trilogy.

Graphics can make or break a sale for a great deal of gamers nowadays (trust me, I've been there). Games like the original "Doom" will not sell well because of the advancements in graphics capabilities, although this does not mean those games are not worth a play-through. That being said, graphics are the least important aspect of games I tend to look for. So long as these next two categories are met, I can learn to live with graphics that are not quite state-of-the-art.

Narrative

Some gamers may find this aspect less important than graphics, so I could very well be in the minority here. But, like my favorite movies, the narrative has to be captivating, progressive and satisfying. I want to play games where I can get invested in the worlds they build and the characters they develop. Some of my gems in this category are "Halo" and "Pokemon" (both of which have consistently satisfied my needs for a good story with nearly every release), along with “Mass Effects” (1 and 2),“Fallout 3,”“Star Wars: Battlefront II”and especially “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.” A few stinkers in this category include “Battlefield 4”, “Call of Duty: Ghosts," “Star Wars: Battlefront 2015”(how does a "Star Wars" game not have a campaign mode?)and "Destiny" (do not even get me started on that game – that is another story for another time).

Narrative-driven video games are among the most well-known titles in recent memory, and many have even risen to fame comparable to that of the most memorable Hollywood blockbusters. So it is unsurprising to see a AAA title not sell so well because the developers decided to skimp on the narrative. That said, even I can't help but admit that even the most substantial stories told in a video game can tank without this final category.

Gameplay

Of course! What good is a video game if the mechanics are so frustrating that you feel as if playing the game is a chore? More important than story, and even more crucial than that luscious 920x1080p, a video game is nothing without proper gameplay. This is the reason why "The Order: 1886" felt like a glorified cut scene simulator and "Destiny" still managed to keep me playing for a few good months. If your gameplay is solid, odds are your launch will be too (but it doesn't hurt to supplement your mechanics with a worthwhile story and a souped-up game engine).

My personal favorites for this category have to include the "Halo" and "Battlefield" series of games, and "Destiny" even earns a spot in this category when it comes to raw shooter mechanics. Other gems include "Pokemon," "Mario Kart: Double Dash" and "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag." As for the games I do not like when it comes to gameplay, it really comes down to personal opinion, and I honestly have yet to play a game with mechanics that do more harm than good. So long as the game functions as intended, then I would rather say that the mechanics are not my style than flat-out say that they are bad.

I consider these three categories to be the pillars of great video games today. Objectively, these aspects could be considered equals depending on the preferences of each individual player, but all three have served to make games enjoyable and memorable when utilized correctly. There is a plethora of options when deciding what games can be played in 2016 – which means that, whether your preference is graphics, gameplay or story, odds are there is a game out there that is just right for you.