Favorite HUDs

[stalepie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HUD_(video_gaming)

Probably a strange question :), but which HUDs in gaming out there -- any system, any time -- do you like the most, or bother you the least? Many people may feel that the least obtrusive ones are the best, such as the kind that fade away when not updating or ones that aren't there at all. Others may prefer them to always be on screen, not minding the clutter because it means one less button press to access the information (which is usually stored away in menus).

Playing Devil May Cry 2 tonight I was really enjoying the environments in that (in my opinion) underrated game, and the lack of a Hud seemed key. Same with more famous artistic games like Shadow of the Colossus.

Also playing old vertical shooters in their home ports, they'd often simulate "tate mode" in large measure by putting the "HUD" info on the right in a bar which was kind of a neat way of doing it. (Arguably making it less cluttered than the arcade version).

Then others might feel that these displays are actually integral to their enjoyment of the game, such as the globes in Diablo filling up or the vials in Legacy of Kain overflowing, if I recall.



Edit: In the Wiki above it mentions that Aliens: Colonial Marines is going to lack a HUD. If you think back to early FPSes the hud was one of the more distinctive parts of each game, like the Doom guy's faces by Tom Hall.

Edit 2: A couple of opinions of my own: Noticed that huds in the original Wipeouts (PS1 games) were much less obtrustive and obnoxious than the ones in Wipeout HD -- also lacks flashing effects when hit, although that can be turned off in the options. Dark Souls, a great game, has too big of hud-things in all four corners -- prefer the tighter, coiled up design of the first Otogi, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX791La7aYI. Dead Space had remarkably good, innovative ideas, especially in how it handles the menus by displaying them in-game without pausing -- very neat. Hope more games do things like that.
Also the DS (and Wii U?) provides the opportunity to put HUD graphics separately, of course, and many games have done that..

[kupomogli]

Most HUDs really don't bother me, almost all infact. I usually would rather have something displaying a map on the screen rather than requiring me to open a menu each time I want to see where I'm going on specific style games. Dead Space did do it best by having the rig and weapon ammo displaying on each gun while allowing you to hit R3 to see where to go without the need to pull up a map or anything, but Grand Theft Auto 4 having the map on the bottom left, half of the bar for life, half of the bar for shield, and then your weapon at the top right has always been fine with me.

When playing the Armored Core series, atleast the classic games where they give you the options, I turn every aspect of the HUD on or almost every aspect. Altitude, speed, heat, enemy health, etc. Sometimes I leave altitude off, other times I turn it on, but really doesn't matter. The other functions don't need to be on, but does slightly help, like how close a specific enemy is to death, whether you should stop boosting so you don't overheat, etc.

[substantial_snake]

I prefer having no hud at all 9 times outta 10, or at least one that isn't a distraction and you only really notice one when its a bad HUD. If its a good one I never think about it.

I was going to say RE4 but now that I think about it I think it would of been better without a HUD since your character already staggers when injured and not having that ammo counter could of made combat more suspenseful...

As Kupo said, the PS2 Armored Core games did have a very customization HUD system which was pretty cool, so I guess that unless something else jogs my memory.

[Robocop2]

I always liked the Dead Space HUD quite a bit. Give you the info you need in an unobtrusive manner that actually fits in with the game. I don't mind most HUD's since they're there for a definite reason. I just feel that the one in DS provides more immersion.

[kaedesdisciple]

When it comes to games that need a map, for the love of everything, put at least a small one on the HUD. I hate having to press a button, stop the action and check my orientation to make sure I'm going in the right direction all the time. Sometimes even a compass would help.

[Dr. BaconStein]

I kind of like the Donkey Kong/Banjo/Crash Bandicoot system where the HUD only shows up when you want it to (collecting bananas/health, finding a 1-up, etc). I especially like the way the facial expressions on Banjo and Kazooie change depending on your health in the first game, something I kind of wish they didn't get rid of. Since I don't play a lot of complex strategy games or anything like that, the HUD never seems to get in the way for me. It's more of the kind of thing that's there, but you only rarely acknowledge it.