I've done this countless times: I'll reach a point in a game, usually an action game, where I want to quit. I do this most often upon reaching a new level, where I save my game. Very often, after saving, I think, "What the hell, I have nothing to lose," and guns blazing I charge ahead recklessly just to quickly check out what's ahead for the next time I play.
Next thing I know I've reached the next level.
Seriously. I've done this in more games than I can remember, and not just in the FPS genre. When I make significant, rapid progress like this in a game, I am struck by these thoughts:
o I've probably missed important story bits, but do I really want to start over and lose my progress just to make sure I didn't miss anything important? Usually, no.
o Did the designers expect that charging through like Rambo would work? Do they care? Does it matter?
o Why is it that this can so often be a successful tactic? Does it show a flaw with the game's design if this tactic works?
About the only time this tactic fails is when stealth is involved, which requires more careful maneuvering, or when more difficult puzzles are part of the level's design. Otherwise, yelling "Geronimo" and casting caution aside seems to be an Achilles heel to most levels in action-based games.
Recent Comments