I always play games on easy.

[LadyMint]

As with others, for me it depends on the game/my intentions. If I want to just relax, I'll set it to easy mode. Some games have you miss out on things if you don't at least play it on normal.

 

[Something Amyss]

Can't say normal difficulty has ever frustrated me enough to merit an argument like that.

 

[tzimize]

Here is a thought:

I think almost all games should be enjoyable on easy. Personally I usually play on easy. If the game does not entertain me on easy it has most likely failed in a critical department like:
-Fun gameplay mechanics
-Engaging story

If the game has these two things it is possible to enjoy on any difficulty levels. But if a game is only challenging, it doesnt help much because the story can turn you off, or the gameplay be simply terrible.

Sure some games will give you a little extra if you play on a harder difficulty. The warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment. Like the feeling I got when I solved all levels on Alien Vs Predator (2000) on all difficulty levels before the savegame patch came (you had only 2 or 3 saves per level I think, and death lurked EVERYWHERE).

 

[Inconspicuous Trenchcoat]

For the most part, I play games on their default setting; then I may move it up as I see fit. I rarely lower the difficulty. I always play on the hardest difficulty in ARPGs like Torchlight, because otherwise that genre's too mindless for my tastes. At least the raised difficulty ensures I have to pay attention.

I don't like raising the difficulty when it doesn't actually make it more challenging. Like RPGs where harder modes make the enemies have more life and hit harder. That just means I'll have to grind more, not use skill. I suppose you could "use skill" by healing, using status-altering abilities instead of just smashing auto attack. But I only want to do that on bosses. Using complex strategies on every single petty fight in an RPG is not fun.

 

[Knusper]

I tend to start on medium and sometimes go up to hard, unless it's an RTS, which I love but I'm not great at them.

Audiosurf, on the other hand, well I get such a rush by playing a hard and fast song like some Children of Bodom on Ninja - just gives me some kicks.

 

[Serenegoose]

I play my games on medium, then I up it to hard on a replay. I can't have fun unless it's challenging, but I dig that people want to play to relax. I play some games (men of war) on easy when they're just too tough for me.

 

[LightningBanks]

I go through once on normal and than try a harder setting if the game is good enough... or if it's S.T.A.L.K.E.R...

Just to clarify, Im about to start S.T.A.L.K.E.R for the first time, any difficulty reccomendations?

 

[Nieroshai]

I play normal or easy the 1st time for story value, then hard just to try it once. Then I stick to normal for the rest of forever.

 

[Sacman]

I go through once on normal and than try a harder setting if the game is good enough... or if it's S.T.A.L.K.E.R...

Just to clarify, Im about to start S.T.A.L.K.E.R for the first time, any difficulty reccomendations?

That depends are you good at FPS'?
If you are play it on STALKER setting if you aren't start on Novice...<.< it's a hard game and on top of that most people can't adjust to the gameplay...

 

[TAGM]

I usualy start on easy, and don't usualy move on. I mean, once I feel like I'm Mr. Epic at the game, I might well move up the difficulty tree, but I might just stick to Easy. Depends.

 

[Nifty]

If it's a story driven game, I am guilty of leaving it on easy. The narrative is the tasty morsel I seek, not the challenge. After that, if I really enjoyed it, I might whack the difficulty up a few notches.

My retro phase in the last couple of weeks reminded me of how unforgiving older games were. Contemporary games practically hold your hand in comparison, even on harder difficulties.

 

[LightningBanks]

I generally play normal, generally because I know Ill be able to do it (im get worried that ill get stuck completely halfway through, and have to start again, possibly because this happened to me when I was young)

I do generally try harder difficulties after If I enjoy the game, but not the hardest on some games, mainly because they make it as a piss take rather than a challenge

 

[LightningBanks]

I go through once on normal and than try a harder setting if the game is good enough... or if it's S.T.A.L.K.E.R...

Just to clarify, Im about to start S.T.A.L.K.E.R for the first time, any difficulty reccomendations?

That depends are you good at FPS'?
If you are play it on STALKER setting if you aren't start on Novice...<.< it's a hard game and on top of that most people can't adjust to the gameplay...

Alright, I think ill try stalker difficulty

 

[Sacman]

I go through once on normal and than try a harder setting if the game is good enough... or if it's S.T.A.L.K.E.R...

Just to clarify, Im about to start S.T.A.L.K.E.R for the first time, any difficulty reccomendations?

That depends are you good at FPS'?
If you are play it on STALKER setting if you aren't start on Novice...<.< it's a hard game and on top of that most people can't adjust to the gameplay...

Alright, I think ill try stalker difficulty

That's what I played on my first try and I died more times on the first mission than I do in the entirety of other shooters...

 

[x0ny]

I do agree with you[OP] to some extent, but I find beating a boss in hard mode is so rewarding after failing many times before hand. Even though games such as Demon's Souls has had me pulling my hair out, thumping myself, that sense of accomplishment after beating some of the most difficult bosses is...

I can't think of any decent words to describe it, but it makes you punch the air screaming "F* yeah! Have that with your Kellogg's corn flakes you motherf**r!"

 

[EeveeElectro]

I do on my first play through, then choose a higher difficulty when I get the hang of the game.

I'd say you should have added some discussion to this, but it's 3 pages long so....*whistles*

 

[Jezzascmezza]

I like playing on the easy difficulty too.
Then if there's some kind of achievement for beating it on a harder difficulty I'll do that too (I'm currently doing this with Halo: Reach.)