Comments on: Are Games Getting Too Easy?

By: duckofindeed

duckofindeed — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:04:14 +0000

Yeah, those old games could be tough. I was really impressed, though, with a game from not long ago, “Rayman Origins”, because it was very challenging (check it out if you want a challenging newer game). Like your “Dark Souls” game, it reminded me of when games used to be hard, and every time you beat a level was so satisfying. Unlike with most easier games, I felt so proud whenever I beat a hard level. But, most of the time, it is the old games that are hard. Sometime, I’ll need to start buying more old games so I can have a challenge.

By: therogueliker

therogueliker — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:43:49 +0000

I also think that there is a shift towards easier games. This opinion is based on what I have experienced with the games that I have played through the years, but I can make a very quick example. During the last months, I played through Skyrim with no problems (normal difficulty, never lowered), before that there was Dragon Age, before that Oblivion. Then I moved to Dark Souls. Dark Souls brought back memories of when games where challenging, and I felt immense satisfaction everytime I beat one of the many bosses of the game (sometimes it was a bit more than challenging: it took me 4 months to beat the Four Kings). I suddenly realized how much I had gotten used to games with convenient saving systems, “intelligent” companions doing a lot of the fighting, and quest systems that take you by hand by telling you exactly where you need to go to move to the next part of the plot.

This realization is what pushed me to start playing games from the past, where it is you that needs to discover, fight and solve problems. I am currently playing Lords Of Midnight from 1994, and enjoying it immensely.

By: duckofindeed

duckofindeed — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:18:06 +0000

Oh, yes, those “Mario” games don’t disappoint on difficulty, at least. The old ones are still the hardest, but “Super Mario Galaxy”. Wow. Some levels were insane. I believe I remember the area you mentioned in the second “Galaxy” game. Oh, how I hated that. Enemies are bad enough, but when you must jump around while they toss things at you. And sometimes I stop where I think I’m at a safe distance, while I rest and plan out my next move, only to find I am actually standing too close, and a hammer lands on poor Mario’s head. I certainly don’t want games to be that hard.

By: D. James Fortescue

D. James Fortescue — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:30:28 +0000

You are correct in that the dilemma comes from both your extensive experience in playing these games, the shift from 2D to 3D, and a move towards easier games.

I love the old-school SMB games, but do not spend extensive amounts of time on them due to the nagging ‘been there, done that’ thought at the back of my mind.

The narrow ledge and hammer brother is from level 8 part 4 of the original SMB right? The frustration of the scene was updated quite nicely with the final level in SM Galaxy 2. That took me at last 200 tries to complete, and always because of the overwhelming bevy of Hammer Brothers across the flip squares and small platforms, A intense dance of gamer completion joy accompanied my finally beating them and jumping into the final warp star =)

Games are easier due to their 3D layouts, while the skill level has lowered somewhat. This is likely aimed at encouraging people to take up more regular game playing, and not scaring them off with frustrating difficulty. Most games have super-hard forms, such as ‘Hypermode’ in the Metroid Prime series and (correct me if I am wrong) ‘Horde Mode’ is many sci-fi war games?

By: Are Games Getting Too Easy? | The Duck of Indeed

Are Games Getting Too Easy? | The Duck of Indeed — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:23:06 +0000

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By: duckofindeed

duckofindeed — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:47:27 +0000

Sometimes difficult games are nice, despite the extra stress they put us through. “Rayman Origins” was likely the hardest game I’ve played in a while, and while it made me mad quite a lot, getting 100% in it was so much more satisfying than beating the easier games. The stress probably shaved off a few hours of my life, but the joy of beating those levels probably lengthened my life, so now I’m even. I just wish one level wasn’t so dang hard because of a glitch.

By: austriaal

austriaal — Sun, 12 May 2013 01:22:58 +0000

I think this is why there’s actually a market for Demon’s Souls/Dark Souls. God those games are difficult :'(

By: duckofindeed

duckofindeed — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:42:18 +0000

Yes, I don’t like games that are challenging in silly ways. I don’t like games where you must press buttons just exactly right or you fail, like in the drawing in “Okami” or the rocket barrel levels of “Donkey Kong Country Returns”. That’s not fun to constantly fail because you weren’t exactly perfect. You should be allowed to make some mistakes and still win. I find many of the most satisfying times in games when I really mess up, but still find a way through. Not these games that demand you press buttons exactly right or it’s over. My reflexes are slow. Don’t punish me for that.

And QTE’s always stress me out. I panic and press the wrong buttons. I think I kept failing at the end of “Halo 4” and “Uncharted 3” because of some such thing. (It also doesn’t help when it’s unclear what button they want you to press. They use very vague symbols sometimes. Is that the front trigger or the back? How can I be expected to press the right button when I don’t know what button they are even showing?)

By: Ashley Hagood

Ashley Hagood — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:20:16 +0000

Great post! Not having played the tougher games of the past (deprived childhood and stuff), I appreciate Casual mode. I’m particularly bad at shooters. But it’s soooo frustrating when the only challenge in a game is QTEs and bad mechanics that test your patience rather than your skill… like what you said about Skyward Sword!

However, I can imagine how it must feel to find games becoming easier and easier just to appeal to casual gamers… when it’s the brave, long-time gamers who always crave more challenges and games! The highest difficulty settings should offer insane challenges. Even I, who am not great at all types of games, want a massive challenge for my favorite games that I play over and over… otherwise, they get boring, especially if I already know the story by heart.

By: duckofindeed

duckofindeed — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:48:08 +0000

I used Super Guide to show me what to do, as well. Then, I’d stop it and try the level on my own. I have a terrible confession to make, though. Once (just once, I swear!), I used Super Guide to finish an entire level of “New Super Mario Bros. Wii”. I was ashamed of my naughty-ness. I think I may’ve returned to the level later and completed it myself, though, which eased my self-inflicted guilt. And I definitely agree that I like games being easier than the Super Nintendo days, but I just don’t want too easy. Too easy makes me sad. So does too hard, though. So maybe I’m just being picky.

But, I do wish developers wouldn’t forget about the gamers that have been playing for a long time. The difficulty levels should be a great way to appeal to everyone, but then they make even normal mode easy. It seems that should be left alone. It’s normal mode. It should be, normal. Sniff, don’t forget about the less casual gamers. We need love and attention, too.