How do you approach games?

[Funk Buddy]

I have a few questions.

1. While playing, do you follow the story or just go with the flow?
2. Do you take the time to scour every area, looking for every thing you could find?
3. Do you rush through games that use time as a factor? Or, do you take your time and not worry about a score?
4. Even if time is not part of the scoring, do you still hurry through on the first pass?

The reason I ask:

I find myself rushing through games like MGS, Killzone, FFX and many others. It seems that I’ve got it in my head that the faster I can finish a goal the better I’ll do. I now know this is untrue after beating MGS 3: Snake Eater awhile back. On my second time through, I did it in 1/3 the time as the first play and didn’t get any better of an end rating. I couldn’t tell you the story to FFX, MGS 2, Ys: The Ark Of Napishtim or many other games. Did this hurt my enjoyment of said games? Not one bit.

Anyway… I’m curious what others do.

[InsaneDavid]

I couldn’t tell you the story to FFX, MGS 2, Ys: The Ark Of Napishtim or many other games. Did this hurt my enjoyment of said games? Not one bit.

Don't feel bad about MGS2, many people that took their time still don't understand the story - which is actually sad because it was one of the most profound pieces of video game storycrafting to ever exist. Then again, there are going to be many "what are you talking about?!" comments - for those who didn't get it. :D

[pacmanhat]

I'll start by saying that these things tend to vary. A lot. But generally speaking, this is how I would describe my gaming habits:

1. While playing, do you follow the story or just go with the flow?

I follow a story as much as it's relevant. In a game like Psychonauts, which is all about story, I tend to cling to the plot and watch as it evolves. However, if something is more non-linear, I tend to make the experience my own and create my own story (sports games fit in this really well, as do things like GTA or True Crime).

2. Do you take the time to scour every area, looking for every thing you could find?

I tend not to be particularly 'completist', usually because I'm not often skilled enough to accomplish 100% completion (or rather, I don't seem to be able to motivate myself enough to try). There are certain games that sway me to make that effort, though. Super Mario World comes to mind. This is something I hope will change as time goes by, and I become more willing to at least give a few more "100%s" a shot.

3. Do you rush through games that use time as a factor? Or, do you take your time and not worry about a score?

I tend to take my time, though this is often unintentional. In my first time through Metroid Prime, I hit 10 hours with about 40% completion. I like to stop and smell the virtual roses, as it were. Plus, I'm also rather prone to getting lost/stuck, which doesn't help the 'speediness' much either.

4. Even if time is not part of the scoring, do you still hurry through on the first pass?

Same as above. There are a few games I've tried to rush through, but never before beating them first. Super Metroid and Super Mario World are both ones that I've spent a lot of time in, but now like to try and do quickly.

[soundwave]

1. I usually tend to follow the story at least the first time through just to get the original feel for the game. then if it's an option I"ll change things around the second time.

2. On RPGs I usually try to finish the game first and if I really enjoyed it then I'll go back and scour the maps for everything. Otherwise if it didn't impress me I won't waste the time to do it.

3. I usually don't pay attention to running time or score.

4. depending on the game I will try to rush through it. Usually with FPS and Action games (typically button mashers)

[whoisKeel]

1. I tend to stay away from games with a heavy storyline. I actually find it to be quite a turn off (for me).
2. I scour, but not relentlesly. It always helps to find that extra weapon/power-up/life/etc.
3. I don't worry about time the first time through. That said time attacks really interest me, so if I like a game sometimes I see how fast I can beat it.
4. If I'm hurrying through a game for the first time, it probably means I don't like it that much. I generally don't finish those games.

[Ed Oscuro]

If the game encourages overlevelling (argh) or otherwise sitting about building up reserves...I will do it to make up for the lack in my skills (or just to mindlessly kill time, though I hate doing this).

No wonder I've started playing older arcade games again recently!

[njiska]

I always absobrb the story, because for me, it's often the best part of the experience. Then i play throguh doing reason able exploration, but not total.

[youruglyclone]

I pretend I'm not interested and then I ease in for a little small ta...oh wait games.

1. While playing, do you follow the story or just go with the flow?

depends on genre, obviously I'm not going to give a damn about the story of a sports game, but with a rpg or adventure game I tend to pay attention

2. Do you take the time to scour every area, looking for every thing you could find?

yes, and sometimes it really hinders the enjoyment, simply because of the frustration of not "getting everything" can and have ruined games for me.

3. Do you rush through games that use time as a factor?
Or, do you take your time and not worry about a score?

as of recent years, I've more or less developed the "7 day rule" i.e. if I don't beat the game in seven days it's not going to get beaten for a while...needless to say my rpg completion rate has gone down drastically.

4. Even if time is not part of the scoring, do you still hurry through on the first pass?

I mean if the question is do I have to kill every enemy, get every coin before I cross the goal...that's a no.

[unwinddesign]

I couldn’t tell you the story to FFX, MGS 2, Ys: The Ark Of Napishtim or many other games. Did this hurt my enjoyment of said games? Not one bit.

Don't feel bad about MGS2, many people that took their time still don't understand the story - which is actually sad because it was one of the most profound pieces of video game storycrafting to ever exist. Then again, there are going to be many "what are you talking about?!" comments - for those who didn't get it. :D

If profound is a new synonym for crappy, then yes, it was extremely profound.

[jdc]

I take my sweet time on most video games. I'm one of those people who will talk to literally every person in the town in an rpg. I love random battling and maxing characters.

In a game like Call Of Duty 2, I'll walk around in areas that I don't have to, in order to see every detail that the game designers put in. Ditto with platformers like Jak N Daxter. My friend and I like to find the highest point in a landscape just to go into first person and have a look around "the world".

I never am satisfied to simply "beat" racing games. I play games like Gran Turismo for years and years.

I could never understand the "beat the game as fast as possible then trade it in" mentality.

[Crazycarl]

well i crawl through the bushes, slowly sneek upon the prey, make sure it is taking a drink from the pond. Then i slowly walk up on it and pounce...taking it out quick by the throte.....wait were talking about how I approch a Gazelle right...huh video games....ohh well.....:shuts door:

[cyberfluxor]

How do you approach games? Very carefully... You never know when they'll bite.

1. While playing, do you follow the story or just go with the flow?
I try to follow the story, but if they have side quests I waste time doing them. You just never know if there's a bonus in it for you.

2. Do you take the time to scour every area, looking for every thing you could find?
I take my time incase there's an object on the ground or a hidden place. Generally covering every bit of the areas also helps you if you need a place to go back for ammo, health, or other goodies you might run out of up ahead. Also this falls back with #1 that you might find side quests or something bonus.

3. Do you rush through games that use time as a factor? Or, do you take your time and not worry about a score?
Generally I don't rush, I paid for something I want to enjoy. If it's a REAL timed game (Like Prince of Persia) then I try to rush around and save only on good times, if that's an option. Time-score only matters to me in puzzles and racers.

4. Even if time is not part of the scoring, do you still hurry through on the first pass?
Naw, hurry some other time down the road when you replay. Falling back on #3, I want to enjoy the game. If there's a game I havn't played in forever and lost a save file, I rush a good ways into it until I feel satisfied that I left off around that point.

[Sothy]

I dont know if this fits in but I love background entertainment in a game.... Like in GTA listening to the talk radio shows... Ill park and just listen to them all the way through... Or in Max Payne Id watch the little TV show things and radio broadcasts. Halflife and Halflife 2 Id like to listen to the guards and scientists banter... Dunno what it is but the story within a story thing interests me.