Poll: Difficulty Selection Screens

[randomuser642596]

I always play on the hardest difficulty. It keeps me from having to replay the game to get achievements and the like. If I enjoyed the story enough I will go back and play it on normal, that way I can concentrate on the story. I usually enjoy games that have a steady difficulty curve more than games who ask you to set a difficulty, it just feels so much more natural and keeps the game interesting.

 

[Soxafloppin]

Usually normal, then hard. If the game has an unlockable hilariously difficult mode, i'l give that a go.

 

[TornadoFive]

I only starting gaming properly about a year or so ago, so when I started I put everything to easy. Hey, I was new! But now I'm trying to get into the habit of choosing hard first, then going down a notch if it's too difficult.

 

[Plinglebob]

Usually either normal or whatever is between easiest and normal. I play a game to have fun, so harder difficulties can fuck off, as I don't like my blood pressure rising because I keep getting bullet spammed. Another reason why I never play online.

This. Also, the main reason I play a single-player game is for the narrative over the challenge so I hate it when I hit a roadblock in the story because of a difficulty spike.

 

[DazZ.]

Depends on the genre, if it's something I'm comfortable with I'll go with hard. If it's a game where previous skills don't always transfer easily (strategy for example) I'll start with medium until I've learnt the game.

 

[Void Droid]

Normal the first time. Then if its a good game, i might go back for a harder difficulty playthrough.

This. I play the game how it was made to be experienced and then go from there.

 

[Artina89]

Normal for the first playthrough, to get a feel for the game, then on any subsequent playthroughs it depends on the context. If I want to kick back, relax and just to generally enjoy the game, I will play on either the easiest or the normal difficulties, but if I want to set myself a challenge, I will play on the harder difficulties.

 

[Bobbity]

Usually reasonably difficult; I've been gaming for ten years, and it doesn't hurt my ego to prove to myself that I've used that time to become at least reasonably good.

Except for Oblivion. Easiest setting there. That game is a *****.

 

[CCountZero]

I usually start on the setting one step above Normal, which is usually Hard.

Way I see it, if it's too hard for me, I can go back and tune it down, but if Normal is too easy, I'm less inclined to do anything about it.

Playing on a harder setting usually prolongs the game as well, either because I have to be more careful and take my time, or because I die in a Rambo spree and have to load a save.

 

[Daymo]

Hard on everything but RTS's, which I play on normal. I just can't resist building massive bases in them, and can't stand some of the cheating that the AI normally does on hard.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

Whichever difficulty setiing I need to have to properly work for a victory, but without seeing the reload screen every five seconds.

I like that answer. Well put.

Ta.

 

[Lord Penney]

Normal first and then I replay on hard (or worse). It's my way of getting double the game for my money, since I get bored if I'm not challenged; so slogging through on hard the first time 'round would make the game feel boring on a second play through since there's no new challenge.

 

[C95J]

I won't answer on the poll, because it is different for different games.

For instance on FPS and RPG and some Sports games, I always choose the hardest difficulty. For pretty much any other game I go for the normal difficulty.

So basically any game that involves combat, and Fifa 11, which I can easily play on the hardest difficulty.

Other games such as Racing games, and Strategy games (Forza 3, R.U.S.E, CivRev) I will usually go for normal (maybe hard in some cases).

 

[TheMann]

If it's an FPS I always play on the hardest skill level. Be it, hard, insane, nightmare, or whatever. I've played so many first person shooters in my life that anything less would be a waste of my money because I would blast through the game too quickly. If it's an RTS I play on normal because I'm not quite as good at those, but love them anyway.

 

[Woodsey]

Normal. Chances are that's what the game is best balanced for.

To be honest, I wish they'd have something more organic. Difficult varies from game-to-game, and having to pick difficulty before I've played anything seems a bit backwards.

 

[thiosk]

typically, normal. However, I got torchlight the other day for 3 bucks on the steam sale, and i might just start over on hard. Because normal i'm just flying through the monsters and don't even notice my gear upgrades.

 

[GoodEyeSniper]

Depends. If I'm playing for gameplay's sake, then I'll go with Normal or Hard. If I'm playing for story's sake, then I gotta go with easy.

 

[mrsuperunderpants]

Start on normal, sometimes if I play a game and it is too easy on normal I may restart and play on hard, depends on the game I suppose.

 

[OutforEC]

I almost always run through the first time on hard, which to me usually offers the best challenge-to-fun ratio.

Unless you're playing Witcher2, of course, that game is brutal =)

 

[Android2137]

Easiest. I always automatically assume I'm going to suck at this game. And sometimes, I'm right...