Do you prefer simple or complex games?

[Tribalism]

When I say simple, I mean simple mechanics relative to their genre. A good example of this is Crash Bandicoot 1 vs Crash Bandicoot 3. In Crash 1, you can spin, jump and move. In Crash 3, you can crawl, slide, double jump, super spin/hover, have a bazooka and I think maybe 1-2 more powerups.

The reason I ask is that many games seem to be more complex these days. Games are designed to have a multitude of different mechanics to keep the user entertained. The games that maintain my attention the most are the ones with simplistic mechanics where the game is clearly designed with this in mind. Crash 1 is a game that I return to frequently and 100% because while the controls aren't the tightest (3D platforming with d-pad only is a pain), it's a well created game. Similarly, Hotline Miami was a great game to pick up in the steam sale and Super Meat Boy remains one of my most played games on steam.

So, your thoughts?

 

[krazykidd]

I like complexity . As long i don't have to go through menus . A good game ( in my opinion ) would have a bit of both . Have it be simple , with optional complexe mechanics. Let the main game be beatable using mostly the simple mechanics , with secrets and extra that reauire you to master the complexe ones .

Win/win.

That's why i like fighting games . Most of them can be played while only doing the simple stuff . Then there are more complexe mechanics that require effort .

 

[Comocat]

Easy to learn, difficult to master is what I prefer.

 

[MammothBlade]

Complexity wins most of the time. People tell me that something like Quake Arena is complex, well, that's something I'll never be able to grasp because I'm not very good at twitchy first person shooters. The biggest excitement I get from such games is playing about with a wide variety of weapons and lots of different gadgets, I prefer System Shock and Deus Ex over Doom and Halo.

Otherwise, I keep an open mind, and something that seems like a pond on the surface can have an ocean of depth underneath. The most famous example, chess.

Sometimes it does seem to be about overt vs. covert complexity, but the two are not mutually exclusive and I absolutely love games which have both, and scorn those which have neither.

 

[Nonomori]

Doesn't matter. I enjoyed the hell out of Ico and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, but they couldn't be more different, the first one is as simple as the title, while the other is almost too ambitious for its own good. It's a little harder to get into Epic Fantasy RPG 1001, but if the game is interesting enough, you should be hooked in no time.

That said, accessibility is a good thing, I don't have praise for unnecessary complexity, confusing or boredom-inducing gameplay mechanics, lack of tutorials or bad UI. That's why games like The Void is the wrong kind of complex and I can't blame the player who loses patience.

 

[Sack of Cheese]

I like games with streamlined mechanic where you can pick up and play. Sometimes I just wanna go back, reload a save and enjoy my favourite bit without needing to recall all the complex control.

I don't mind either, but simplicity is my preference.

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

I like both and even though I was about to say I find complex games more engrossing, I realized I can get just as absorbed in a simple game. I recently figured out how to put custom firmware on my psp so I can play emulators of old games I used to own for Sega Genesis (snes doesn't work too well on it). I was getting seriously onto these side scrolling games were all you can do is basically jump and shoot (rocket knight adventures, vector man, X-Men 2: clone Wars).

At the same time, some of most favorite games are complex rpgs or stealth action games that require a lot of strategy. Simple modern games on the other hand don't really capture me as much, unless they have a good narrative

After reading your op, in regards to genre I think either works. I just started playing the Last of Us and one thing I like about it is that the crafting system is simple for the most part so it's easy to pick up. I think it's possible they could have made a really complex crafting system work like the one in New Vegas, but I think the one they went with works

 

[Miss G.]

As long as the controls work for the game, enhance the experience rather than detract from it and there's fewer or no steps between me and having fun, it doesn't matter to me.

 

[Vitor Vieira]

I believe that both types of game should have their place in the market! I love the first 3 Crash Bandicoot games and even though there were features added in the second and third games, they were still simple titles with not much complexity to them...

I enjoy playing these simple yet entertaining titles but the ones that really stick with me long after i turn my Pc off are the complex games... Those you really need to learn before playing them! It's so rewarding when you accomplish something that isn't easy! Take red orchestra 2 for example. COming from Call of Duty, where you run and gun mindlessly, you just die... and die again... until you start to play using your brains and patience! And the feeling of accomplishment after winning a match in Red Orchestra 2 is way more strong than that of winning in COD...

In conclusion, I prefer the complex games but the simple ones are also very important to keep the Industry fresh and fun!