While I can still enjoy "arcade" style games, as I get older I'm finding that I'm drawn more and more towards narrative based games.
However, being "older" I'm finding some of these games harder and harder to finish. For example I've played, enjoyed and finished all of the Silent Hill games, apart from Silent Hill Homecoming.
I'm aware that many people consider this game to have issues, but I've been unable to experience most of them, being stuck about 1/3rd of the way through. What makes it worse is that many people have stated that this game is one of the easier Silent Hills do to the emphasis towards combat the main character possesses.
But I can't get any further in the game than I was over a year ago, despite trying every few weeks or so! I think I've pieced together some of the story, but I have no way of knowing if I'm right or wrong apart from reading a FAQ, something I'm loathe to do as I wish to experience the story first-hand. I find it most disappointing, because surely a narrative driven game should give everybody a chance to experience the narrative for themselves?
In many respects, it's stupid - no other form of entertainment actually stops you from getting to the end of the story. Can you imagine a Dan Brown book where you yourself have to solve the problems and puzzles yourself before you can conclude the story? Do you think that would end up as an International Best Seller, or do you think people just wouldn't bother?
While I can appreciate that many people do want a challenge when playing their games, other people don't. I always consider the actually narrative to be more important than the gameplay in story driven games.
I think the problem is people today are obsessed with the "length" of games. I've experienced this first hand from people who whizz through games like the Silent Hill series or Bioshock and are only bothered with finishing the game as quickly as possible. Of course, in the process they miss out on all the rich detail and atmosphere that these games strive to create.
I've seen many people complain that you can complete Bioshock simply by using the wrench and the electro-shock power. But they're totally missing the point. You can complete levels of Super Mario Bros by running along the top - but people don't. The whole point of the game is to immerse yourself into the narrative/atmosphere.
So they could make games like Silent Hill: Homecoming easier (or at least have an easier option or some other form of assistance). It wouldn't necessarily break the game. Even if it meant competent players could breeze through the game in a matter of a few hours. Because such players wouldn't be getting the full experience anyway. It doesn't matter how long or how hard a game is, if the player only decides to partake in half the game or less.
However, being "older" I'm finding some of these games harder and harder to finish. For example I've played, enjoyed and finished all of the Silent Hill games, apart from Silent Hill Homecoming.
I'm aware that many people consider this game to have issues, but I've been unable to experience most of them, being stuck about 1/3rd of the way through. What makes it worse is that many people have stated that this game is one of the easier Silent Hills do to the emphasis towards combat the main character possesses.
But I can't get any further in the game than I was over a year ago, despite trying every few weeks or so! I think I've pieced together some of the story, but I have no way of knowing if I'm right or wrong apart from reading a FAQ, something I'm loathe to do as I wish to experience the story first-hand. I find it most disappointing, because surely a narrative driven game should give everybody a chance to experience the narrative for themselves?
In many respects, it's stupid - no other form of entertainment actually stops you from getting to the end of the story. Can you imagine a Dan Brown book where you yourself have to solve the problems and puzzles yourself before you can conclude the story? Do you think that would end up as an International Best Seller, or do you think people just wouldn't bother?
While I can appreciate that many people do want a challenge when playing their games, other people don't. I always consider the actually narrative to be more important than the gameplay in story driven games.
I think the problem is people today are obsessed with the "length" of games. I've experienced this first hand from people who whizz through games like the Silent Hill series or Bioshock and are only bothered with finishing the game as quickly as possible. Of course, in the process they miss out on all the rich detail and atmosphere that these games strive to create.
I've seen many people complain that you can complete Bioshock simply by using the wrench and the electro-shock power. But they're totally missing the point. You can complete levels of Super Mario Bros by running along the top - but people don't. The whole point of the game is to immerse yourself into the narrative/atmosphere.
So they could make games like Silent Hill: Homecoming easier (or at least have an easier option or some other form of assistance). It wouldn't necessarily break the game. Even if it meant competent players could breeze through the game in a matter of a few hours. Because such players wouldn't be getting the full experience anyway. It doesn't matter how long or how hard a game is, if the player only decides to partake in half the game or less.
an interactive film.
