Is difficulty a reward?

[Tristan6928]

Recently, i got into a friendly argument with a friend on whether difficulty can be a reward in a game.
This argument arose because a friend of my friend was playing "The Binding of Isaac" and after playing through the games 4 times, unlocked a higher difficulty for the game.

The question I'm asking is, can an increase or decrease in the difficulty of a game be classified as a reward? I am not talking about unlocking different modes for a game which increase its difficulty, but difficulty itself.

I hope this post is not too confusing.

edit:
I'm not just talking about unlocking difficulties after finishing a game, but also during the game.

Also, my position is against difficulty as a reward.

 

[Pappeska]

When I'm done with a game I'm done with a game, but as a general rule I think difficulty is a good reward, but at the end of a game? Bummer.

 

[Tristan6928]

I don't think you should be forced to play through a game at an easier difficulty before you're allowed to take a shot at a higher one. It's retarded. However, there are exceptions, such as when a game lets you start over with your character level and such intact. If done right, that's just fun.

But higher difficulty as a reward in itself? No.

I'm not just talking about unlocking difficulties after finishing a game, but also during the game.

 

[Tristan6928]

I don't think you should be forced to play through a game at an easier difficulty before you're allowed to take a shot at a higher one. It's retarded. However, there are exceptions, such as when a game lets you start over with your character level and such intact. If done right, that's just fun.

But higher difficulty as a reward in itself? No.

I'm not just talking about unlocking difficulties after finishing a game, but also during the game.

Never heard of something like that. Why would you unlock a tougher difficulty in the middle of a game..?

I'm probably being a bit ambiguous with what i meant.
I'm not just referring to unlocking a new difficulty but about progression.
Most games have that. As you progress through a game, it usually becomes more challenging.

 

[The_Blue_Rider]

I don't think you should be forced to play through a game at an easier difficulty before you're allowed to take a shot at a higher one. It's retarded. However, there are exceptions, such as when a game lets you start over with your character level and such intact. If done right, that's just fun.

But higher difficulty as a reward in itself? No.

I'm not just talking about unlocking difficulties after finishing a game, but also during the game.

Never heard of something like that. Why would you unlock a tougher difficulty in the middle of a game..?

I'm probably being a bit ambiguous with what i meant.
I'm not just referring to unlocking a new difficulty but about progression.
Most games have that. As you progress through a game, it usually becomes more challenging.

Isnt that sort of the point though? It would be terribly boring if the challenge never changed

 

[VoidWanderer]

The Matrix: Path of Neo.

IMO the best Matrix game but anyways.

The game started off with the lobby scene. Except instead of bullet-gymnastics (bullet ballet was Equilibrium), it was all hand-to-hand fighting. The more waves you defeated (from security guards to agents ending with Agent Smith) the higher the difficulty you unlock.