When is difficult too difficult?

[Robin2099]

Most of us grew up playing the classics like Castlevania, Contra, Double Dragon, Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden, etc etc. And all of those games were incredibly difficult yet we all survived playing them, and look back at them fondly. However, when you read reviews today, you constantly hear reviewers talking about how a game is too easy to beat and has no real challenge. Then a game like Dead to Rights, or Shinobi come along, and people say that there too hard and can't be enjoyed. So my quesion is, if we all want challenging games, why do we always complain when there difficult?

[Arde]

I guess this all lies in the fact that games are now part of the American culture(ie. very mainstream).
Because of that, reviewers will have to grade the difficulty of games in terms of the masses (ie. incompetent).
Why else do you think RPGs have become significantly easier since FF7 becomes the hottest seller and RPGs became the creme of the crop in the gaming land?

Oh well...that's my 2 cents.

[Mango Fett]

well....i can't really answer yer qeustion...but i can point out one reason why games seem to be getting easier.

better game making, better software.

in the old days what ya could do in a game was very limited. Take mega man for example, you basicly had two abilities: jump, and shoot i forward or backward.
And what is the best megaman weapon of all time? Metal blades, why? because the afforded you more options and better ways to shoot, namely in all 8 directions.

Now a days in games there is so much you can do to stay alive. You are given so many options and skills that the game becomes easier.

Another reason could be more plausible threats. In the old games ya usually jsut had a set pattern thug, usually standing around for no reason.
Take Ninja Gaiden. It had guys who just ran at ya and lept off cliffs, and guys who jsut walked back and forth, and evil birds...all with set patterns. In fact i still maintain that a person with a photographic memory could run throguh the game with out beign touched as long as he just jumped and sliced at the proper times. the game was the same every time.

Nowadays it seems more thought is given to the enemies. Why are they there, what do they do? i'd imagine if they ever make a new ninja gaiden game that it will incorperate more badguys who impose a sword fight challange as opposed to several suicde members who harm you by simply bumping into you.

This is why when people talk about the 'good ol days' of gaming i will agree slightly, but i don't wanna go back too them. i like beign able to shoot in all directions, or have more plausible badguys.
Thoguh i will admit that the best game ever made was "sword of the Samurai" which possesed all of 8 colors and i think used a whole 2 buttons. however, it was ahead of it's time.

[liltimmyw]

I don't think Contra is too difficult. Sure, its very very hard, but I wouldn't have the series any other way.

[Zapages]

For me Contra*what can I say its Contra* and Metriod*couldn't beat the first level* on SNES...

[Nin-Nin69]

I don't see whats so hard about the Contra series. Its the same pattern over and over again in each game. Contra: SS by far had the hardest and most tedious gameplay. If people say that it was a bad game, then they just suck at it. :p

[Mynd Hed]

Ultimately, I think everyone's answer to this question is the same: "Too difficult is when I can't beat it." Since that varies depending on the person, they're never going to get it perfect. The best they can do is try to go for enough variety that everyone will have a game or three that's perfect for them.

[liltimmyw]

Originally posted by Zapages
For me Contra*what can I say its Contra* and Metriod*couldn't beat the first level* on SNES...

The first part on Super Metroid isn't that difficult if I remember correctly.

[Outside Angel]

Hmm...I dunno, I love games that are a real challenge. And it's not necessarily that older games are harder. That Lost World game on the PSX was one of the hardest games I've ever played. I still to this day haven't beaten it. So it's not necessarily dependent upon the age or engine of the game. I do find one thing, though...as the opportunities to save your game decrease (not just saves, but things like passwords too) the difficulty of the game often increases. Has anyone else noticed this correlation?

[pabcool]

MONKEY BALL SERIES! AWW, MAN THOSE GAMES ARE IMPOSSIBLE! I'M STARTING TO BELIEVE THE GAMEFAQS CLAIMS THAT AV AND SEGA HIRED A BUNCH OF MASOCHISTS!

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by liltimmyw
The first part on Super Metroid isn't that difficult if I remember correctly.

Super Metroid is decent difficulty. Most of the Nintendo-produced games were just right on the difficulty meter. Mario, Zelda, Metroid...

[liltimmyw]

Originally posted by Leaping Larry Jojo
Super Metroid is decent difficulty. Most of the Nintendo-produced games were just right on the difficulty meter. Mario, Zelda, Metroid...

yeah



MONKEY BALL SERIES! AWW, MAN THOSE GAMES ARE IMPOSSIBLE! I'M STARTING TO BELIEVE THE GAMEFAQS CLAIMS THAT AV AND SEGA HIRED A BUNCH OF MASOCHISTS!

rofl, those games are very very hard.