Difficulty

[Iwata]

During my life as a gamer, I've met my fair share of people who play games on Hard just so they can gloat. Likewise, I've met my fair share of people who play on Easy because it's all about winning.

What is your take on gaming difficulty? What setting is your favourite, and why?

I tend to play on Hard mode, for two reasons. The first, and most obvious, is the challenge. Secondly, and directly related to that, is that playing on a higher difficulty forces you to think more carefully and examine your approaches. That, in turn, tends to increase a game's longevity.

Your thoughts?

 

[Grayjack]

I always play on Normal. Then if I'm up to it, I'll try hard mode.

 

[Zannah]

Given how most of the games around get easier and easier, if I don't know better (like say Heroes of might and magic), I start on the hardest setting available - If i am to do something, why not just do it properly, from the scratch? Starting on easy, only means that you get used to certain tactics, that won't work against real people / proper ai.

 

[CaptainCliche]

Hmm. Good question. I tend to go for the average difficulty first. Then move up to the hard difficulty after completion. But then again, Some games are ridiculously easy on the hardest difficulty. e.g. Halo 3, O.D.S.T., and Ace Combat 6

 

[theownerer]

I dont think ive ever started a game on hard. If I really like a game then il play it again on hard. If you've already beaten on that on your first try then you really wont have much motivation to play it again unless its there's differences in the story.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Normal. Depending on the form of the game (usually fighting or action), I might move up to harder difficulties.

 

[Andy_Panthro]

I generally want to complete the games I play, so I usually go for normal and shift to easy if I find it too difficult.

It's rare games that I'll play through multiple times on higher difficulties, and they're usually things like Civilization or Diablo.

 

[InvisibleSeal]

I always start on normal, and might change difficulty during the game. Sometimes I replay and go up to hard difficulty or go up to hard difficulty near the end of the game when I've got used to the controls and everything.

 

[The Infinite]

Normal then move on to Hard for a bit of a challenge. I don't want to start at hard incase something keeps killing me or I find a certain area annoying enough to make me stop and thus never finish it. So Normal for story completion and Hard for challenge.

 

[RamirezDoEverything]

easy, so I don't get pissed off and throw another $60 controler....

it's not so much aout winning on easy, as jut having fun and getting to enjoy the game instead of hiding under a rock everytime you get blood on your face...

 

[Iwata]

easy, so I don't get pissed off and throw another $60 controler....

it's not so much aout winning on easy, as jut having fun and getting to enjoy the game instead of hiding under a rock everytime you get blood on your face...

That I can relate to. I wanted to play MW2 on Hard to extend it's paltry single player campaign, but I found that for most of the game I could hardly see anything due to the blood on the screen.

 

[Skullpanda]

If there's a story, I'll go for easy mode the first playthrough, just to see what's going on. I don't want to be distracted from the storyline by the game kicking my ass. Subsequent plays will have my upping the difficulty.

No story (or too little of one to matter) typically has me on normal or medium difficulty. I've just gotta be honest in the fact that I'm too damn lazy to play on hard.

 

[TheZapper]

Always start on normal. If I like the game enough I'll play through it again on a harder setting afterwards.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

I always start on normal. If it turns out to be too hard or too easy I can always adjust it from there. It also depends a lot on the game. The more I like a game the more inclined I am to turn the difficulty up to eleven.

 

[GrinningManiac]

I always try Hard first, as I love the 'edge of your teeth/Last Hopeless Stand' feeling I get when I'm outnumbered/outgunned and doomed/might not make it

 

[Daveman]

At the moment I'm trying to complete MW2 on veteran (highest) difficulty. I'm actually finding it easier than when I played through on hardened for some reason. I started on hardened because it recommended that for me, but I got stuck in the favela so I turned down the difficulty. But I just did the boneyard on veteran and weirdly found it relatively easy. I still suck at spec ops though...

 

[PhunkyPhazon]

Typically I play on Normal, but I'll play on Easy if it's a genre I'm somewhat new too, a game that is well known for being hard, or because I just want to see the story. I'll only select Hard if it's a game I've gotten good at.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

I always start on normal and see how high I can go before I max out. Started Metroid Prime 3 on hard though.

 

[Small Waves]

Most of the time, I play on the default.