How do you use difficulty settings in action games?

[Proclus]

I didn't mean to start a new topic so soon (I have just registered), but I did a search and nothing came up on this subject.

I'm not very familiar with more recent games, but some 8-bit and most 16-bit action games feature three difficulty settings -- variants of Easy, Normal and Hard.

So my question is this: how do you use difficulty settings in action games?

Do you first use the default setting (i.e. Normal)? Do you try to beat the game on Easy, then on Normal, then on Hard? Does it depend on the game at hand -- i.e. you'll likely play a Contra-like game on Easy difficulty, and a Disney-themed game on Hard? Do you consider a game beaten only when you beat it on Hard difficulty setting?

Feel free to answer these questions!

[Half Japanese]

I always make a run at normal first, then adjust accordingly if need be.

[Gapporin]

I usually play the game on Normal. That way, I don't feel like I've been cheated out of an experience on Easy, or the game just simply isn't fun on Hard. If I like the game enough after I beat it on Normal, I'll play it on Hard.

However, there are some games that on Easy are still freakin' hard (Super R-Type, I'm looking at you).

[undead455]

I go for normal then I move up from there unless the game is impossible. Welcome to the board.

[tritium]

I usually leave the defaults. The exception however, are fighting games. If I get too good at it I start inching the difficulty higher. Examples Street Fighter 2 Turbo (SNES), and Tekken 3 (psOne)

-Tritium

[Graham Mitchell]

I always make a run at normal first, then adjust accordingly if need be.

Ditto.

However, there are some games that on Easy are still freakin' hard (Super R-Type, I'm looking at you).

Have you tried R-type Final? Same Story. I have to put the stupid thing on "Kid's" mode just to get past the second level, and I still get stuck.

[delafro]

I play normal, and stay away from easy if at all possible. i figure that normal is how the game developers wanted the game to be played anyway, so that's another reason to use it.

I stay away from hard too, I'm no glutton for punishment

[Proclus]

I usually play the game on Normal. That way, I don't feel like I've been cheated out of an experience on Easy.

Interesting comments. I can relate to this -- every experience counts, and going through the entire game on Easy first could indeed lessen subsequent Normal and Hard tries.

[Proclus]

Welcome to the board.

Thank you!

[punkoffgirl]

I'm a wimp, I like to try out easy first

[Arqueologia_Digital]

Normal difficult always and once i have reached the game...i play it again with other difficult...

Matías

[NintendoMan]

I always play on normal, but then if it has good replay value I go for harder settings.

[YoshiM]

It depends on the game, I guess. I remember a few action games (I wanna say Golden Axe was one of them) where if you set it on Easy you could only play to a certain level. When you beat that level the game said "Good Job! Now play the game on Normal!" or something along those lines.

Typically I set things at Normal. I've rarely ever cranked it up beyond that.

[Duncan]

I used to start out with easy just so I could see everything, but that was back when I rented more games than I owned.

Now I'll usually start out with normal -- and never get to hard, because I don't get enough time to play as it is these days. x_x

[Proclus]

I remember a few action games (I wanna say Golden Axe was one of them) where if you set it on Easy you could only play to a certain level. When you beat that level the game said "Good Job! Now play the game on Normal!" or something along those lines.

Yes, you're right. In Bram Stoker's Dracula (NES), if you set it on Easy, you only play the first two levels, and if you set it on Normal, you only get to play the first four. Only on Hard can you play all seven stages.

[Kid Ice]

I usually start on easy, then move to normal if it's too easy.

NFL2K5 is a good example of a game that's too easy on easy. R-Type Final is jusstt right on easy (or kids or baby or whatever they call it). Depends on the game.

I rarely play a game on hard. I have to be absolutely in love with the game to play it again on hard. Goldeneye is the only game I can think of that I've ever gone back to play at a more difficult level, without some incentive like a bonus level or something.

[Drammy]

Most of the time, since my purchasing games is very infrequent, I play through on Easy, then Normal, and finally Hard. Maximizing my purchase, as it were.