Fix boring gameplay

I don't know if there's really an answer to my question, it's a shot in the dark I guess.

I've made a game, all the mechanics are working, but the gameplay just doesn't feel right; I tried stripping it down to the basic gameplay, still doesn't feel right. It feels sluggish and boring.

At this point, I just don't know how they do it, those people who make games with quick, energetic gameplay (real gamey games).

Is there something I'm missing?
I'd appreciate any help

 

It could be a gazillion things. If you don't show us what you've got, or at least try to describe in detail what your game is like and what you think the problem is, you can only get very general and very broad suggestions which I doubt will help you.

 

Post over in game design. That forum has plenty of designers that can help you out.

 

I get your point, I guess when I was writing this, I was thinking of my problem as a phenomenon, like the uncanny valley phenomenon in 3d characters that endeavour to be photo real. I thought maybe it was a wall developers sometimes run into, and there was a logic or methodology that could be used when tweaking game mechanics.

My problem is mostly with movement, it's good on the keyboard, but on touch screen, it's sluggish.

I was hoping someone who's made some of these smooth, quick, responsive games, could share some pointers on how to make a gameplay focused game, theories that can be applied to any arcade games.

I'll check the game design forum.