Poll: Challenge Vs. Exploration... what do you prefer?

[Nomanslander]

I believe that when it come to the appeal of video games, there are two categories that generally separates what we want, and what we expect from them. We're either looking for a challenge: something to test our might. Or, we're looking for an intriguing experience.

Now, of course, this is my opinion - there can be dozens or over hundreds of other factors involved - but, right now, just play with me...

Basically, when you're looking for a challenge, you might be playing a online match, a fighting game, or a game on the hardest difficulty setting. Story or exploration doesn't concern you, and it's all about the gameplay and its fluidity, or variety of options you can engage an opponent.

Now, with exploration, the focus can be the story, or the sheer experience of it all. You like to side quest and veer away from the obvious path (sandbox). A lot of times, you're looking for something unique and innovative. Gameplay doesn't come down to how well you completed a mission (or, if you were able to at all), but what you did to get there.

In essence, I'd say it also comes down to Mastery Vs. Variety. Do you want a little bit of everything, or do you want one element in its truest form?

So, what would you guys prefer?

Personally, I would probably choose both. But if I had to choose one, I'd go with a challenge.

 

[Zhukov]

Both.

I guess I lean slightly towards your definition of "exploration". Then again, I've spent hours upon hours in Planetside 2 these past few weeks, and that game is almost pure challenge with an optional social element. So it's not all one way.

At the end of the day it just depends on what kind of mood I'm in.

Thing is, they're not mutually exclusive.

 

[DoPo]

I see absolutely no reason how these can or are opposites. They are just different elements. It's like saying you can only have controls or sound in a game - it makes no sense.

 

[Nomanslander]

I see absolutely no reason how these can or are opposites. They are just different elements. It's like saying you can only have controls or sound in a game - it makes no sense.

Because throughout my entire gaming experience, these two aspects have always been present with polarizing effects. I'm either been challenged by a game, or I've been intrigued to play it for its story and exploration.

I mean, ask yourself, "why do I even play a game?"

For example, I don't think anyone ever played Fallout 3 or Skyrim because they felt like they were challenging games. It was all exploration, because if the games were dependent on gameplay it would have had a shit load of problems as a selling point.

Now take Modern Warfare's MP. I mean, how many people really play the game for its campaign compared to its MP? Take fighting games, I don't know a single person that plays those games for their story (which they do have), and never has a game been more limited in exploration than these.

Side scrolling platforms have always been about challenge, since there isn't much room for exploration. Final Fantasy - on the other hand - has always been use to be about exploration because developers really just want to tell a story.

Well, that's how I've always distinguished one game from another, and the reasons I play them. So go figure.

:/

 

[aguspal]

If I HAD to choose, Challenge all the way.


But I dont like Challenge without somehting else to do. Exploration helps A LOT with that. So its really both.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

I prefer to have both. It's why I enjoy Demon/Dark Souls so much. If I had to choose just one though I'd go with challenge. A linear challenge would be better than an open bore fest.

 

[DementedSheep]

Both? Usually leaning more towards exploration based on your definition of it. A good story and world to explore will keep me invested enough to finish provided the gameplay is not too mind numbing. I'll play a challenging game with no story at all if that's what I'm in the mood for but I'm more likely to remember good story/ world to challenges and that is often what draws me to a game in the first place.

 

[adamsaccount]

I thought this was a gonna be a sick thread about space shuttles exploding. I think you gotta have a mix of both but I probably prefer exploration, though at the end of the day whats the point exploring in a game if youre not going to test youre reflexes against anything when you get there. Its like using google maps and then never actually going anywhere

 

[Twilight_guy]

Peanut butter or jelly? hum...

I think the experience of the game can encompass the more base physical and psychological challenge. It's like asking weather you read to better understand the language or to get a story, its really a process that does both. I think of gameplay more in terms of a hierarchy that goes from physical input and light to general experience and has many levels.

 

[thesilentman]

I prefer to have both. It's why I enjoy Demon/Dark Souls so much. If I had to choose just one though I'd go with challenge. A linear challenge would be better than an open bore fest.

It's interesting to point out that both are quite linear when you look at it in one way.

OT- Both. The developers just need to balance it in order to make sure it doesn't get too oversaturated for me.

 

[MammothBlade]

Peanut butter or jelly? hum...

I think the experience of the game can encompass the more base physical and psychological challenge. It's like asking weather you read to better understand the language or to get a story, its really a process that does both. I think of gameplay more in terms of a hierarchy that goes from physical input and light to general experience and has many levels.

+1

A great game would interweave challenge and exploration, so that the two might become indistinguishable.

Exploration itself might be the challenge, for instance. What encourages you to explore more than a challenging survival which keeps you searching for supplies?

 

[ShinyCharizard]

snip

You are of course right in that they are essentially linear games. However compared to scripted linear games such as Call of Duty, both Demon's and Dark Souls still have a sense of exploration and discovery to them

 

[Strazdas]

both, but if i have to pick challenge. exploration without challenge (for example far cry 2, morrowind, fallout 3) is no longer fun. thats why im never in a hurry to get good armor/weapons in games. whne you have to explore 100 similar caves and you can take them all out without a scratch it gets not interesting.
now obviuosly if there is a challenge, exploration is amazing.

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

Exploration. When I want a challenge, I'll make one for myself by limiting what I can do within the game. I actually like being overpowered at times.

 

[OncomingTraffic]

I thought this was a gonna be a sick thread about space shuttles exploding.

You made my day with this comment, thank you.



I think it depends on the game. I like the challenge in Ninja Gaiden and Godhand, but they're linear games so of course there's no exploration.
Mass Effect 2 kind of suffered from the lack of exploration compared to the first game.

Dark Souls combines the two quite well. There is a good amount of freedom considering it's not open world, and the challenge is there as well. It's cool to enter a place and have no idea what may be waiting to destroy you.

Overall I prefer challenge. A game with all exploration and no challenge is just a game about walking to places.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

I like exploration. Games that focus on beating up enemies just so you'll get to beat up MORE enemies, get really boring really fast.

A great game in this respect is Mini Ninjas. Sure, you do battle waves of enemies, but the game doesn't feel like a fight, or a series of fights - it feels like a journey. The levels are beautiful, diverse and (usually) intricate, and while there's little actual need to explore every inch of every one of them, it can be quite rewarding to do so.

 

[FFP2]

Exploration. I dunno, there's just something so beautiful about roaming around in games like Skyrim & Just Cause 2

And can't we have both? Dark Souls did exploration and challenge pretty well.

 

[Hagi]

For example, I don't think anyone ever played Fallout 3 or Skyrim because they felt like they were challenging games. It was all exploration, because if the games were dependent on gameplay it would have had a shit load of problems as a selling point.

You're not playing either of those games with mods are you?

There are plenty of people playing both because they're challenging games. They use mods. And with those mods they become amazing games with both great challenge and exploration.

I'm currently playing a highly modded version of Skyrim that I'd say is easily as challenging if not more than Dark Souls.

OT: Both, there's absolutely no reason why you can't have both. Plenty of games have had them both and I'm certain plenty of future games likewise will have them both.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I really don't see this as a dichotomy? A game can be both heavy on challenge and exploration. Either explore for challenge, or make exploration challenging. How are these contrary?