probably the opposite of Topic #779

here's some things I can think of:

• New Game+ type stuff- I love beating a game and having the things I do actually matter for a future playthrough. This might be something like carrying over the stats of characters in Chrono Trigger so you can more easily get the different endings, or just something simple like getting a special item or two like in Metal Gear Solid.
  
• When games aren't too long- idk I just can't get into really long games anymore. Shorter games with lots of replayability are more what I like to see.
  
• Games with good art styles- not a big fan of the whole super realism thing and sadly games that do that look extremely dated after a while. Games that try their own kind of art style usually still look good years later.
  
• Sequels that try something new and different in a big way but still capture the feel of the previous games in the series. Metroid Prime and the Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker are perfect examples of this.

Along with everything Kesha said:

• Catchy, fitting music. In fact, this can be achieved without full orchestras, chiptunes, or music licensed from recent rock/pop artists!
  
• Interesting characters. I like it when you "miss" the characters at the end of the game, the way you would with a good book.
  
• Games with deeper levels of character interaction, like those in Majora's Mask.
  
• Games that explore mature themes without relying on graphic violence or sexuality.
  
• Achievements/trophies systems that add to the game rather than feeling like a tacked-on extra.

•Super-hard levels without relying on fake difficulty. (For example, the Perfect Run)
•Shmup levels in platform games (For example, a lot of Kirby games)
•Interesting graphics styles (Kirby's Dreamland 3, Yoshi's Island, Kirby's Epic Yarn, Wind Waker, Skyward Sword)
•Games with dramatic buildups to the end of the game without relying solely on cutscenes. (For example, Skyward Sword)
•Expanding on the previous one, games with good storytelling that doesn't rely solely on cutscenes. (An Untitled Story did this very well, same with some parts of Psycho Waluigi)
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Edited by: Friendly Dictator, Aug 26th, 2012 @ 10:58 am

The rarest things seen in games is pure originality. Originality can be golden in games.

I agree with all of the above.

I like it when games have a very high level of detail, both things like NPCs with lives of their own and little touches in the background. Even a musical reference to an earlier tune.

I like it when something seems simple on the surface, but when you find those little details and actually think about it, it turns out to be way deeper than you would have thought.

I'm also a big fan of the Unexpected Genre Change, such as the above mentioned Kirby shooter levels.