Play Style: Git Gud

  As quite the prevalent gamer, somebody who has been playing video games as far back as my memory will allow me to remember, (I'm an old man), I want to pose a question to you. This blog was never intended to become centred around gaming, but seeing as it's so esoterically built into who I am, I suppose it's something I should've expected.

  But yes, my question; is there a right or wrong way to play a game? Most people read that and immediately thought, 'yeah, you dumbass, of course there is. That's why rules and shit exist', but what exactly is it within the game that makes it playable? Should it depend on the level of the player, or should it be accessible for anybody regardless of their skills? Does any of this contribute to how much enjoyment can be wrenched from a game's core?

  ... am I making any sense at all?

  You have to remember that every opinion of what makes up a good game is totally subjective, therefore the experience will be subjective too. There's always going to be somebody that believes a certain game just isn't for them, which of course doesn't make that particular game bad. Then again... it totally could be.

  I think it's important to discuss the types of play styles when talking about a game's playability. For example if we look at a game like Skyrim, there's insurmountable options - plenty of classes to play as, and interchangeable aspects in how you decide to play. Every single one can lead to success regardless of the difficulty level, whereas if we look at a franchise like Dark Souls, (and Bloodborne), it's safe to say there is a way to play that is far more effective in terms of both fun and playability. The hardened strategic baseline of the Souls series I think is what contributes to a lot of people finding the games completely unplayable. But is the game unfair or are they playing it wrong?

  It's possible to progress in Skyrim with so many different skill sets and builds. You can be a sneak-thief khajiit, a sword and shield wielding nord or an arrow shooting elf, and the options don't end there. Despite all the options in Dark Souls, (and believe me there are a fuck-tonne - different weapons, etc), there's only a few combinations that really get the job done. The first two Souls games give you a shield pretty much at the beginning, yet anybody that's played them learned the hard way that using it is more detrimental than anything else.

  Personally I believe that a person's unwillingness to experiment and leave their comfort zone, a place usually built on so many other gaming experiences, is what ultimately renders a game unplayable for those specific individuals. It isn't necessarily the game's fault or the designer's being unfair, but the player's inability to adapt. Just, y'know, don't be afraid to parry and side-roll the fuck out of your comfort zones in order to GIT GUD!

Signed,
Elijah.
Meta Sentience.
22/18/2017