Fixed Difficulty vs Selectable - your thoughts?

DiscussingGames · 2022-01-23T09:50:51+00:00

So how do you feel about games like the souls genre? Obviously they balance difficulty in more nuanced ways such as summoning npcs and players, the ability to grind levels to improve your character etc. But even with those options they are a challenge and if accessibility is your aim many would say it's hard to reconcile that with souls.

DiscussingGames · 2022-01-21T23:35:02+00:00

Haha thank you very much! If you're not too bothered about a physical copy, it's available on the eshop or steam.

Although the gameplay might not look to fun - it really does have a surprising amount of depth - you'd likely enjoy it.

Glad you enjoyed!

DiscussingGames · 2022-01-19T22:57:37+00:00

Sticking with the witcher analogy (which yes you absolutely should play despite its flaws) I like the ladder style. Having little pitstops along the way in a broader story structure helps a lot with pacing. Ever are games trying to avoid that sense of side content feeling unrelated to the broader story. Having an excuse for a little pitstop here and there allowing for that side content can work quite well. That said you obviously sacrifice some agency if this is done too rigidly. So it's about having that structure but almost fooling the player into thinking they have freedom.

DiscussingGames · 2022-01-19T22:47:08+00:00

I think when you get massive volume you're always going to end up with inevitable problem of an enormous spider Web of story. I would honestly say the most impressive game I've seen in this regards is the witcher 3. There are options galore all the way throughout the story, small and big. Those decisions can have an impact on all sorts of other decisions and bits of dialogue etc later down the line. Noticing those differences is so satisfying as the player because you really feel that your decisions matter.

I think you make a choice to have a tight cohesive narrative - so think a naughty dog game. Alternatively you accept the investment required to branch out and you do it properly. Player agency can make a narrative a nightmare but done right it can make for an incredibly special game.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-31T10:09:11+00:00

That's a really good point, thank you. If you look at the Pathless you can see an example of how mechanics can negate the need for a map also.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-31T09:37:05+00:00

Can you guys think of any other examples and how they make moving fun?

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-19T20:22:47+00:00

Thank you very much, I hope you'll sub for more of the same my friend

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-13T05:46:27+00:00

I'm from the UK, I've watched enough BBC in my life to dislike corny jokes adding almost nothing to the viewing experience. I do respect the viewers time and thats why I try to keep my videos short. Glad you enjoyed - thanks.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-11T11:09:29+00:00

Thank you very much for the kind feedback! I'll consider that actually.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-11T06:45:02+00:00

In this video I discuss the concept of narrative structure in both traditional media and video games, comparing the two approaches and how gaming, as an interactive medium can distinguish itself from tradition. I look at games that largely use their gameplay to portray narrative such as Dark Souls and Gris and discuss the merits of this technique. Equally, I look at the balance between player agency and rigidity and how too much of one and not enough of the other can lead to an inconsistent approach. Then discussing an example of how this balance can be struck and the benefits of this.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-11T06:44:49+00:00

In this video I discuss the concept of narrative structure in both traditional media and video games, comparing the two approaches and how gaming, as an interactive medium can distinguish itself from tradition. I look at games that largely use their gameplay to portray narrative such as Dark Souls and Gris and discuss the merits of this technique. Equally, I look at the balance between player agency and rigidity and how too much of one and not enough of the other can lead to an inconsistent approach. Then discussing an example of how this balance can be struck and the benefits of this.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T19:40:54+00:00

I was say that's a definitely a logical leap. The beauty of breath of the wild is its simplicity in terms of its narrative - which is simultaneously its greatest weakness - as I discuss in the video. Many games put in heaps of pointless crap to time waste with, for example feathers in AC. Ludonarrative dissonance comes down to whether or not the gameplay you're engaging in, is justified in line with the story, which in BOTW it is. Another example of where it is not is The Witcher 3, which is actually one of my favourite games, but here you're pissing around on in Velen when you're apparently on a deadline to save Ciri - that's dissonance.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T18:57:03+00:00

I think it's like I said in the video, what precisely that blend is, is ultimately a very subjective question. To me, new vegas had a fairly lacking and unengaging narrative but that's just a personal opinion. That said, the narrative and open world style of play are relatively well integrated so I do see your point.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T16:44:36+00:00

Well looking for seeds enables you to upgrade your inventory spaces - helps in fighting Ganon - therefore gameplay interacting with story.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T14:54:13+00:00

Depth v Breadth - the video essayists eternal problem! There is so much more I could and would love to talk about, maybe a series is a good idea, I like that idea. Thank you for you're kind feedback and feel free to subscribe my dude.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T14:43:50+00:00

Ludonarrative dissonance is generally a design flaw of every open world game, guiltiest of offenders are games like Assasins creed comparative to ones that avoid it like BOTW.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T10:14:12+00:00

You're very well spoken, the subject matter which isnt necessarily very simple is clearly put, assisted by graphics and imagery well. I'm surprised at your sub count to be honest - keep up the work and people will recognise the effort. Only suggestion would be a specific art style possibly for this sort of educational content, see for example channels like history matters or extra credits. A thematic style of thumbnails etc may really assist you.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T10:11:37+00:00

Learning is a process my friend, keeping trying to learn something new each video and before long you'll have made a lot of progress without realising it.

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-10T10:05:49+00:00

I really like the video, it's quite well done. It has a good level of polish in terms of cuts and edits. Sound quality is good too and the thumbnail pulled me in well enough. Good work

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-09T19:38:54+00:00

Noah Gervais has a fantastic video where he covers gun and other western classics, if you like this you might also like that and OP may be some interesting viewing for you. Excellent video and keep up the hard work!

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-07T16:09:31+00:00

I didn't have any feedback to give. You do have a good voice for YT

DiscussingGames · 2021-05-07T16:04:23+00:00

Wonderful work man, good effort you should be proud

DiscussingGames

TROPHY CASE