Christ Centered Gamer

Chozon1 wrote: I actually enjoy a good pixel clicker, from time to time. The trick for them is to be unafraid of looking up help in the internets...otherwise, they just get annoying.

I've been gaming for a long time... well before the Internet became commonplace. So for me, looking up the answers on the Internet tends to feel a bit like cheating to me. Not that I haven't done it myself, mind you.... There are some games with levels so difficult that I've had to do it. But doing it too much... well, the game starts to feel less like playing it yourself and more like copying what someone else has done. It tends to take the fun out of it at that point.

I suppose I've been spoiled by the way games have developed. I used to play computer RPGs like Ultima or The Bard's Tale with a pencil and a ream of graph paper beside me. Now I struggle to play older games that don't have some sort of automapping feature enabled. So I tend to be of the mindset that games should be much more intuitive. People should be able to figure out how to solve puzzles in games just by taking time to think about them. I mentioned "The Longest Journey" earlier - this was an award-winning adventure game imported from Germany, but I felt that it got everything wrong in terms of adventure games. It had entertaining puzzles, but I felt that sometimes I couldn't solve it because I didn't talk to some random person three screens away (which was the solution for one of the earlier puzzles, so it kind of spoiled the rest of it for me). The puzzles were the only thing going for it, though - the aggravating "pixel-clicking" elements, dull cutscenes, a nonsensical (not in a good way) storyline, copious amounts of unnecessary swearing, and the fact that you couldn't die even while being pursued by big scary monsters basically made the game more of a chore, rather than enjoying. The only reason why I finished it was because it was relatively short and I was wondering if it would get any better.

(Note: Some of TellTale Games' games also have it where the character you're playing can't die - but they manage to pull it off right. "The Longest Journey..." well, one example was when you get locked in a cabin with an "old lady" who has "witch" written all over her, so it's no surprise that she turns into some sort of hag and wants to eat you. Your character scampers to the other side of the room, with a table between you and the hag... and there you can remain, the hag occasionally snarling and taking swipes at you with her claws while you spend the next 20 minutes clicking around the room, looking at objects until you can find the loose floorboard to knock her over. A good example of "how not to make an adventure game" right there, folks....)

Chozon1 wrote:Dungeon! the boardgame?

I know of it, but have never played it. However, I have played - and own - HeroQuest, which is similar in construct and design. I've even introduced my kids to it. It's like "D&D Jr."

Onion rings?

Unripe fruit?

Emwok wrote:Onion rings?

Yes and no. As a stand-alone treat, I'd pass. I much prefer the potato products, like French fries, jo-jos, hash browns, etc.

However, add them to a cheeseburger with some bacon, a nice sharp cheddar and a good barbecue sauce, and you've got yourself a mighty tasty Western burger.

ScotchRobbins wrote:Unripe fruit?

No thank you. I much prefer it ripened.

Sstavix wrote:I've been gaming for a long time... well before the Internet became commonplace. So for me, looking up the answers on the Internet tends to feel a bit like cheating to me. Not that I haven't done it myself, mind you.... There are some games with levels so difficult that I've had to do it. But doing it too much... well, the game starts to feel less like playing it yourself and more like copying what someone else has done. It tends to take the fun out of it at that point.

I suppose I've been spoiled by the way games have developed. I used to play computer RPGs like Ultima or The Bard's Tale with a pencil and a ream of graph paper beside me. Now I struggle to play older games that don't have some sort of automapping feature enabled. So I tend to be of the mindset that games should be much more intuitive. People should be able to figure out how to solve puzzles in games just by taking time to think about them. I mentioned "The Longest Journey" earlier - this was an award-winning adventure game imported from Germany, but I felt that it got everything wrong in terms of adventure games. It had entertaining puzzles, but I felt that sometimes I couldn't solve it because I didn't talk to some random person three screens away (which was the solution for one of the earlier puzzles, so it kind of spoiled the rest of it for me). The puzzles were the only thing going for it, though - the aggravating "pixel-clicking" elements, dull cutscenes, a nonsensical (not in a good way) storyline, copious amounts of unnecessary swearing, and the fact that you couldn't die even while being pursued by big scary monsters basically made the game more of a chore, rather than enjoying. The only reason why I finished it was because it was relatively short and I was wondering if it would get any better.

(Note: Some of TellTale Games' games also have it where the character you're playing can't die - but they manage to pull it off right. "The Longest Journey..." well, one example was when you get locked in a cabin with an "old lady" who has "witch" written all over her, so it's no surprise that she turns into some sort of hag and wants to eat you. Your character scampers to the other side of the room, with a table between you and the hag... and there you can remain, the hag occasionally snarling and taking swipes at you with her claws while you spend the next 20 minutes clicking around the room, looking at objects until you can find the loose floorboard to knock her over. A good example of "how not to make an adventure game" right there, folks....)

It's cheating, but I consider it fair in "pixel clickers" just because they don't always make sense. The "talking to the right person after finding the right item or visiting the right locale" is just annoying. I once had to find a single pea, on grass, in an obscure back room, then talk to the robot standing next to it. After three hours of wandering the entire game world and talking to everyone, trying every item combo, I looked it up on the internet and went about my way. It's been awhile since I've looked up a solution for a puzzle on the internet though. I follow a 2 hour rule...if I haven't figured it out after two or more hours, usually more than one play session, I look it up.

I think part of it is that, just because it makes sense to a designer, doesn't mean it actually makes sense. XD But I don't think there's a way around it. After all, some other person have have seen the tiny green orb and picked it up instantly. I guess I really just enjoy puzzles.

Unfortunately, my family are not the type of players to enjoy Dungeon...Sad, because I want it. XD

Smash Up, Frag!, or Space Hulk: Death Angel?

Chozon1 wrote: I follow a 2 hour rule...if I haven't figured it out after two or more hours, usually more than one play session, I look it up.

That's a pretty good rule, actually.

Chozon1 wrote:I think part of it is that, just because it makes sense to a designer, doesn't mean it actually makes sense. XD But I don't think there's a way around it. After all, some other person have have seen the tiny green orb and picked it up instantly. I guess I really just enjoy puzzles.

That can be a problem, especially when designing games. Just because the designer happens to enjoy X doesn't mean it'll translate well to the players. I suppose most designers shouldn't try to make a game with the specific idea of marketing it - just make the game you'd want to play, then put it out there and see if others pick it up, too. That approach has become much easier with the Internet around to help with distribution.

Chozon1 wrote:Smash Up, Frag!, or Space Hulk: Death Angel?

I... don't think I've heard of either one of these. Games, I presume? Have links?

The Oregon Trail?

Chozon1 wrote: I follow a 2 hour rule...if I haven't figured it out after two or more hours, usually more than one play session, I look it up.

Lol I'm so knuckle-headed that I don't look up things related to gaming until I'm ready to pull my hair out.

Chocolate pudding?

ScotchRobbins wrote:The Oregon Trail?

The original? Very historic.

If you're referring to the game, it's mildly entertaining. My wife, though, loves it. She's a huge history buff, though, especially in regards to the Western migration and the European theatre of World War II.

Emwok wrote: Chocolate pudding?

Tasty! ... when done right. Can be nightmarish when done wrong.

Sstavix wrote:That's a pretty good rule, actually.

I made it after too many mind numbing sessions playing Nancy Drew games. @_@

Sstavix wrote:

Chozon1 wrote:Smash Up, Frag!, or Space Hulk: Death Angel?

I... don't think I've heard of either one of these. Games, I presume? Have links?

Not just games; Board games.

Frag

Smash Up

Space Hulk: Death Angel

These three are on my purchase list for board games. I actually just bought Frag, but it hasn't arrived yet.

The old Bionicles?

Euchre?

Chozon1 wrote: Not just games; Board games.

Frag

Smash Up

Space Hulk: Death Angel

These three are on my purchase list for board games. I actually just bought Frag, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Steve Jackson Games is a company known for some pretty high-quality, fun games. Also the maker of one of the few CCGs that my wife and I still play from time to time... and wish they were still making expansion packs for. (The game is "Illuminati: New World Order," if you must know.) So Frag will probably be a good one.

Emwok wrote:The old Bionicles?

"Old" is a relative term. I heard of Bionicles when they first came out, but considering how I was 27 at that time, they failed to catch my interest.

ScotchRobbins wrote:Euchre?

I know of the game, but oddly enough, I've never played it. This is kind of strange, considering my interest in the history of games. I may have to amend that soon....

I knew he made the Munckin universe, but I did not know about Illuminati. Seems fun. XD

I really want Death Angel, I'm just not sure I could get anyone to play it...

Munchkin?

Chozon1 wrote: Munchkin?

My wife and I have the base game. We've never been able to get enough people together to play it, since it calls for three or more players. Although now that my eldest daughter is 10, we may have to try and see if she wants to play....