Most Important Aspects of a Game?

[Pingfa]

^ Not necessary, but I think it's generally a top priority when it comes to a visual representation of a story.
I'd say it's rare that a good story told visually without good music has as strong an impact as good music.

[IIICCCPIII]

1. Gameplay (Durrr)
2. Controls (So important, I don't know too many horrible games with excellent controls and vice versa)
3. Story (Yeah, I probably shouldn't care. But even if the story's hackneyed, I want some type of story, unless it's a genre that doesn't call for it.)
4. Unlockables (Gives you extra incentive. Usually goes hand in hand with Replay Value)
5. Originality/Innovations (Always a plus. Not a necessity, tho)
6. Difficulty (Meh. If the game is good enough, it won't matter if it's too hard or too easy)
7. Multiplayer (More important to me now than before)
8. Variety (I like Fighters, Platformers, and Puzzle games.....)
9. Replay Value (Some of the best films are ones you wouldn't necessarily watch again, the same goes for games)
10. Worth it? (I don't have a cure for cancer, so this isn't a huge factor to me.)
11. Graphics (I play my NES more than my 360, and I stille prefer 2d games)
12. Length (If it's short, than I can easily beat it and feel like a badass, if it's long, then it feels like even more of an accomplishment)

[ATARI800XLfan]

Gameplay, controls, story line, replyability, length, graphics last. In my opinion.

[itsmattxp]

For shmups, would you all say it needs a story? Or are new innovative controls/gameplay more important. For example, the game Ikaruga.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

For me, gameplay and controls trump all, followed by originality and graphics. Depending on the game I'd say story is pretty important as well.

[Erik_Twice]

The only important aspect of a game is what the game is.