Poll: Playstyles and You

[Asita]

When it's done properly, customization can be fantastic. I know it's work and resource intensive from a dev standpoint, but it's hard to deny that as a player the fact that you can literally shape your hero is often - if not a selling point - a major perk. A thought occurred to me though...I never actually take full advantage of that customization. Every time I play Knights of the Old Republic I'm a Scout/Sentinel who buys the same feats and powers, my Commander Sheperd is always the same in Mass Effect, my Adam Jenson is always nonlethal and stealthy, etc, etc. Time and again I fall into the same patterns, often to the point of the same dialogue choices (fluff included) when that's an option. This naturally led me to wonder how typical my experience is.

My question to you today, Escapists, is about how you approach subsequent playthroughs. Do you choose a different class/focus when you start a new file? Do you simply stick to a preferred style? Or put a little more concisely, how much if at all do your characters change between replays?

 

[shrekfan246]

I'll experiment, but generally speaking if a game with that kind of customization keeps me coming back for more than two play-throughs, I'll probably have a preferred gameplay style that I default to.

In Mass Effect I've got five or six different Shepards but not a single one of them are either an Engineer or Sentinel. In Knights of the Old Republic, I'm almost always a Consular. In Dragon Age I tend to make an archer. In JRPGs that allow for it, I tend to make the main character mostly physical/melee focused. I also almost always try to build the main character as one that can take a lot of damage regardless of game, unless I'm trying to go for a particular role with the character and that wouldn't fit.

One thing I'd really like is an RPG that allows the player to play a demonologist like in World of Warcraft. Necromancers are the closest thing and even those are pretty criminally underutilized, but I find demons to be far more interesting potential thralls than zombies and skeletons, and it's usually only the really high level spells that give you more interesting creatures.

 

[Mikeybb]

Dependent on the game type.

In rpg games that allow the option, each play through is aligned with the idea of the character created.

In the more simplistic ones, that's a matter of good guy run, evil guy run.

More complex ones that encourage a degree of ego insertion, I tend to build an idea of how a character is and react in those ways.

As to mechanical aspects...
I'll vary my weapons and methods of choice each time.
First run through anything always seems to be stealth.
I guess I was ruined by an early influence from the thief series in that regard, but I always find myself lurking around and sneaking cautiously when I can.

In games with limited upgrade resources for your weapons, toys and tools, I'll try to pick out a specialization and on a subsequent play through avoid using it.

I don't always finish the follow up playthroughs but I do feel like I'm getting more out of the game by trying ways of doing things I normally wouldn't.

 

[SmallHatLogan]

I love trying different character builds although there aren't really a lot of games I play frequently that have the option. Main ones that come to mind are the Mass Effect trilogy (I've played as all the classes), Demon's/Dark Souls/II (I've tried most of the common builds) and Fallout: New Vegas. Although in New Vegas there are always a few skills I always put points into, mainly speech, repair, lockpick and science. And I also always max out my luck stat for those delicious critical hits and some easy gambling.

 

[DangerRanger5]

I've never considered not switching classes or play styles on a second playthrough. Having the option to do so is what has often encouraged me to go through the game a second or third time, so whilst I almost always pick a typical soldier/warrior build to start with, I'll see what else is on offer on my next go through.

Even in shooters like COD or BF, I mix up my style as I go on. As I said, I'll start off rocking assault rifles or machine guns, get bored, and then try out sniper rifles or whatever else is available. It's part of what keeps the game fresh, and can drastically alter the way you play and your experience as in Human Revolution and Skyrim.

 

[Mezahmay]

Unless it's a more strategy-based game, I try to mix it up play styles between playthroughs. I tend to play strategy games more rigidly once I find something that's comfortable.

 

[Spanglish Guy]

It's sort of a bit of both with my characters. They all tend to be moral/good characters. I do sometimes play an evil character from time to time but I just find that I have a hard time straying from my moral compass (in a video game! I know it's strange but that is just what I am like). Although I do seem to end up playing a bit of a kleptomaniac since that is just a quick way to getting funds in games.

In terms of actual combat, I tend to mix it around a bit depending on what's available in game. In games where stealth is an option I will always have one or two characters dedicated to stealth based tactics (I only play stealth in Deus Ex:HR). Other than that I always like to make a few different characters suited to different fighting styles just to try them out and if I enjoy it then I continue that playthrough.

 

[FliedLiverAttack]

I'm a bit both if it's class selection like Mass Effect I've played all of them if I like it enough. But in gameplay outside of class I usually play the same like in all the Fallout games the K-9000 doggun is the only weapon I've used which wasn't some kind of rifle or weapon used to get a rifle. Same with the moral decisions in the game they are always light grey to pure white no exceptions.

Hmm now I feel like playing the Fallout series again. Maybe as a fistacuffer this time.

 

[Darth Rosenberg]

Never played a pure spellslinger in any of the TES's, because fuck mages I prefer skirmish builds; sneaky archery, followed by a spot of swording. There are a few builds I've never tried in all my runs of Mass Effect, too.

So, really? I tend to stick to one style, which may shift depending on the game (e.g. Infiltrator in Mass Effect, and ranger/skirmisher in Skyrim).

I switch up RP, however, and that's usually what makes the most significant changes to another playthrough, even with an identical build/playstyle.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I try to play as all the different play-styles I can. It increases re-playability value and makes me better at the game I'm playing if I'm changing up my classes, my equipment, etc.

For example I've played through the first Dark Souls 3 times. The first time I played as a sword and board dex character with some pyromancy. The second time I played a shield-less strength build that only used greatswords and ultra greatswords, and the third time I played an int based sorc. who could cast both spells and miracles and used a longsword. Each playthrough was really different but they were all pretty fun, and because I did that I can give advice to players on different strategies and equipment regardless of what their play style is because I've tried it all to different extents.

 

[Story]

I'm someone who likes to see everything in the game. So I typically only replay things differently if it unlocks more content.
Transitor is a good example if such a game as is Fire Emblem: Awakening,

 

[Elfgore]

I'm generally a tanky, melee focused characters. In games like Fallout, I usually go with small arms. I'm rather basic when I play games. But as I've grown, I've tried to leave my norm and go for different classes. I tried a rogue out in Dragon Age: Origins and loved the shit out of it. The backstabs were beautiful. I played a hunter in WoW and had a great time. Playing an adept in Mass Effect was great too. My first playthrough is almost always melee tank, but later on, I'll try and change classes.

 

[FPLOON]

Well, I keep playing the same way until I get bored and want to shake things up a bit...

And that's usually when I find out why I play a specific game one way over another way most of the time...

Rinse, repeat, and then later go on the the next game with potential replay value, hopefully in the form of NG+ or something like that...

 

[Something Amyss]

I like to try different things and see what works.

 

[Souplex]

I usually play a tanky battlemage analogue with a melee focus who does the right thing for my first playthrough, and do the complete opposite for my second.
Usually don't go beyond that though.

 

[1Life0Continues]

If the game gives me a ranged stealth option, that's what I go with. Every single time.

In Skyrim, I was a sneaky archer-thief.
In Fallout, I was a sneaky assassin.
In Thief(shudder)4, I am determined to play 100% Ghost style.
In Deus Ex and HR, I was 100 pacifist stealth.
In Mass Effect, I was a sniper.
In Borderlands 1 & 2 I played the sniper classes.

I only deviate to pick up associated achievements, because I'm a completionist idiot.

 

[Racecarlock]

Not really. I don't play RPGS much unless they have post story sandbox like skyrim. In fact, I don't even do separate playthroughs. I mean, why bother? I already did it once the way I wanted to and I don't want to get rid of all the actions I've already done in the world. Because then they don't matter. I don't know.

Captcha: yellowbelly .

... Fuck you captcha. I'm not some corporate whore designed to constantly type in your new stupid ass corporate catchphrases you specifically implemented for ad revenue and no other reason. I feel like a money slut when I type that shit, so fuck you and your accusations of cowardice.

 

[MrMixelPixel]

I try to play as everything so I can have an educated opinion on my preferred choices are.

 

[maxben]

I'll experiment, but generally speaking if a game with that kind of customization keeps me coming back for more than two play-throughs, I'll probably have a preferred gameplay style that I default to.

In Mass Effect I've got five or six different Shepards but not a single one of them are either an Engineer or Sentinel. In Knights of the Old Republic, I'm almost always a Consular. In Dragon Age I tend to make an archer. In JRPGs that allow for it, I tend to make the main character mostly physical/melee focused. I also almost always try to build the main character as one that can take a lot of damage regardless of game, unless I'm trying to go for a particular role with the character and that wouldn't fit.

I actually always use Mage in DA:O. I'm with you on running with the most physically imposing character, but in that game Mages are so wonderfully overpowered and explosive.

I like to stick to one class and just get better and better at it. Hell, in Civ V I don't think I've ever played any other civs other than the Egyptian or Aztecs.