Phatose on 19/1/2010 at 23:01
Here's the thing: I don't take the 'just for story' approach. But I have a limited game time, and by my measure, spending a half hour enjoying a game which is actually pretty easy but makes me feel like I'm doing well, versus a half hour spent playing a game that actually is hard and getting 30 seconds of satisfaction after 30 minutes of frustration....well, it's an easy choice for me. I'm only doing this to amuse myself, and success against a reasonable illusion of difficult is as satisfying as success against real difficulty, without so much time spent being frustrated.
Andarthiel on 19/1/2010 at 23:38
Quite important.
I do appreciate a challenge but some games(especially in the recent year or so) have a ridiculous difficulty system where "Easy" isn't exactly easy. That mostly happens in Action RPGs and RTS games.
I like balance in my games especially in the AI.
For example, in Project Zero 1(aka Fatal Frame 1) there were certain ghosts(like the Monks) that were just so cheap and could literally take you out in the blink of an eye which is really unfair because it doesn't give you a chance to resist. And I don't need to mention Jinpachi from Tekken 5(he is the king of cheap moves)
CCCToad on 20/1/2010 at 03:50
Quote:
But, even granted that most video games are escapist power fantasies and are a bit pathetic when compared to anything resembling their real-world counterparts, the fact that some players want even their own skill to be a fantasy is like... pathetic squared.
There's some truth to that, but its incomplete. For a lot of gamers its about being immersed (escapism) to a fantasy world or story, their own skill isn't a big deal except where it breaks the 4th wall. There's also plenty of games (Like a Diablo-style RPG or any online shooter) where its all about having a fun time with the gameplay. Such games are not unlike playing chess or some other boardgame: if you aren't facing any challenge, you will get bored quickly.
Thirith on 20/1/2010 at 07:44
Quote Posted by CCCToad
Such games are not unlike playing chess or some other boardgame: if you aren't facing any challenge, you will get bored quickly.
I guess those games where the difficulty was right for me are one of the following two types:
1) Succeed/Fail is a continuum rather than a clear-cut binary, i.e. I might succeed but just barely, wasting all my resources or simply doing rather poorly. The challenge lies in going back and redoing the level or mission, doing better this time. I get the gratification of beating a level, but I also get the continued gratification of honing my skills and doing better. (Example:
Mirror's Edge time trials - it's relatively easy to pass them, but I greatly enjoy going back and shaving off a second here and a split second there, improving at the game.)
2) Succeed/Fail is clear-cut - either I pass or I don't. However, the game is varied enough (or fun enough - sometimes repetition can be fun) that replaying a section several times is enjoyable every time. (Can't think of an example right now.
Bionic Commando Rearmed, except for that last fucking level, perhaps?)
What I generally hate is games where I have to replay a longish section again and again, and after the fifth time I can do all of it in my sleep,
except for that last bit where I always die. There's no fun in that, and even if I manage after a hundred tries, it's usually the frustration that lingers. It's different if I can immediately replay the bit where I died (see
VVVVV for a recent example) or if I can go and play a different mission/level and come back later. It's one of the reasons why I loved the rewind function in
Prince of Persia but would've preferred unlimited uses - you still have to get through the hard part, so why make the player replay the earlier bit that he can do while blindfolded?
Fragony on 20/1/2010 at 10:31
I think Fallout 3 is pretty challenging but I am only at level 6, but these super-mutants make me burn my ammo and stimpacks faster then I can manage replenish even with high small arms and medicine skill, and melee isn't very smart. Some things are odd though, I have low strength (4) but can carry quite the arsenal, and my melee attacks are pretty strong despite me not putting any points in it.
