IT'S SOMETHING I REALLY WANTED TO KNOW....

You have no idea what type of topic is about to explode here if the right peeps get in here...

Everything.

But if I had to choose: Memorable and/or lovable characters.

Depending on who you are, the story could be part of the design. For example, I have to design the introductory stages to my game. It just has to be an OK story that's easy on the player if your game has a story.

In the introduction scenario, it would be great if the player runs into really basic obstacles in an order that allows the player to get a feel for the game. Warm up the player and such. You want to direct the player around (whether or not your game is linear will not change the fact you need to direct the player somehow). You just need to write a story that follows.

I opened one of my old RPG Maker prototypes and the dialog and flow was awful- it was kind of hard to understand what I'm doing exactly. And I wrote the thing long ago myself! It doesn't have to be amazing, in fact it's kind of good if you don't try too hard (it kind of ends... up with... too many ellipsis... and slow text speeds... with epic pauses...). In fact, if your game doesn't really need a story you can just loudly and straight up tell the player what to do next like some narrator. It's probably better that way for some game designs too.

But whatever you do, it's important that the player wants to at least find out what's next. A good example is the Grandia series. There's so many RPG/Anime cliches in all those stories, but you still want to find out what happens next and you have an understanding of what you're doing and where you are going and why. Even in that train wreck of a story known as Grandia III- but the battle system was completely awesome.

The characters I'm playing should be likable in a way. Not all RPGs needs very complex characters, but they should still be something I enjoy following.

After that, I'd say your game should have good story and/or good gameplay. If both are bad it's unlikely I will like the game. Of course, both being good would yield the best result.

For the rest like mapping, artwork, music and whatever, they help. None of it will save an otherwise bad game, but they can definitely improve a good game. It is however possible to ruin an otherwise good game with atrociously bad graphics or music.

It helps a lot if I can be attracted to the girl characters.

you are simply old school, kent

to answer the question - everyone prefers one thing over another, but in a perfect world, you would give us the full package. :) I like developed characters myself.

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I hide my unwillingness to change and fear of the unknown under a veneer of "neo-retro" revivalistic ambitions.

Love it, love everything about it.

But, story intro has to come first before class selection. Gotta start strong.

Original, creative ideas, good presentation, solid, unique characters, varied and interesting gameplay, and a memorable soundtrack. Oh, stylish and coherent graphics as well, of course.

all of these are required for me to play a gamz

The word "fun" indeed- these are video games after all, not movies or novel books.