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[squarealex]

The older I get the less time I have to play.
So lately when I feel like it's taking me a long time to finish a game, I just flip that to easy mode and fly through it.
I used to enjoy hard games, I'm a huge fan of the Dark Souls franchise, I just don't have the time for any of that anymore.
Am I cheating not only the game but also myself and life?
Are any other 30-40 y.o. gamers going through the same?

My last game Resident Evil 4 : Remake, I made a mistake to select Hardcore mode (the mode for RE4 Original players capcom said.... pffff)
After 11 hours, i dropped at chapter 10, and worse thing, I hate the aim and control on the remake.

No regret... Except my 80$

 

[Banjo64]

And that game’s name?

 

[Three]

The older I get the less time I have to play.
So lately when I feel like it's taking me a long time to finish a game, I just flip that to easy mode and fly through it.
I used to enjoy hard games, I'm a huge fan of the Dark Souls franchise, I just don't have the time for any of that anymore.
Am I cheating not only the game but also myself and life?
Are any other 30-40 y.o. gamers going through the same?

If you're enjoying yourself who are you cheating?

 

[Dick Jones]

I've no problem with people choosing different difficulties if available. My only issue is people saying a game is too easy or too hard but refuse to change the difficulty to get a more optimum experience.

 

[MaestroMike]

if its a new genre or something ur not used to or I guess just a brand new game maybe you can start on easy until you get used to the controls and and go over some of the challenges then up the difficulty after the muscle memory has set in & if it becomes too much or u had a long as$ day, had enough challenges for the day and ur a lil tired u can bring the difficulty down, but if its ur day off and ur fresh and amped up u can bring the difficulty level back up. as long as ur being challenged with other things that needs to get done I don't think u have to challenge urself anymore and u can just zone out on a lower difficulty level no need for more stress imo

 

[Humdinger]

shame on you

 

[NeonDelta]

Same here most of the time. Used to start on hard but now I start on normal or easy

 

[SmokedMeat]

I play on normal, but if I have to drop to easy to get passed something - I’ll do it.

I’m older and I’m playing to enjoy myself.

 

[RoboFu]

 

[-Zelda-]

It's your time and money and sanity, so play however you want to. Screw the haters.

 

[gothmog]

Use the force, bro

 

[Dr. Claus]

The older I get the less time I have to play.
So lately when I feel like it's taking me a long time to finish a game, I just flip that to easy mode and fly through it.
I used to enjoy hard games, I'm a huge fan of the Dark Souls franchise, I just don't have the time for any of that anymore.
Am I cheating not only the game but also myself and life?
Are any other 30-40 y.o. gamers going through the same?

You are not cheating, and as someone with a busy life myself... I just don't get it.

With most games there is a point where a certain difficulty actively detracts from the experience of playing the game. It removes the need to worry about certain mechanics, learning combos, learning map layouts, defeats the entire purpose of playing the game. This isn't relegated to only playing on easy, but also on the hardest difficulties.

Sure, can you finish a game faster on Easy? Absolutely. But what is the point in even playing the game if you are going to trivialize all the mechanics and basically ignore the gameplay? Now, that isn't to say you should play on the hardest difficulty. Look at games like Uncharted Collection with Crushing and the new "Brutal" difficulty it adds. They raise up the damage numbers to a point where it, in effect, does the same thing as easy mode. Makes game mechanics utterly worthless as you have to basically pot shot and abuse certain mechanics in maps to even survive. That isn't fun nor is it really a challenge. It isn't allowing you to enjoy the core gameplay either as many mechanics have to be ignored because you effectively can't even use those mechanics if you want to finish the game at that point.

Easy and "Brutal" modes both ruin the game, IMO and you I find it silly to justify using it because you want to save a couple of hours or (in relation to other users on GAF) stroke your epeen. I would rather enjoy and engage with the game and its systems than rush through a game or struggle against a brick wall.

 

[Korso]

35 here and it depends on the game really. I don't play games to "get gud" anymore. I play them to have fun. If it starts to get frustratingly difficult, I'll drop the difficulty down. I'm a bit of a trophy-whore, so sometimes, if it's required, I'll play on the hardest difficulty. Games are meant to be enjoyed, not frustrating.

 

[Pasta la Vista]

42 here, currently playing through Doom Eternal on Nightmare. I love it.

 

[Rac3r]

 

[Hydroxy]

Higher difficulty just means enemies have more HP and do more damage and stuff, I am not interested in that so i prefer easy difficulty

 

[Shifty1897]

I never do easy mode. Maybe one day when I'm too old to have the reaction time but not yet.
Most of the time I play normal mode, except for turn based games, where I usually play hard mode if available.

You shouldn't feel bad for playing in easy mode though. Games are meant to be fun, if you have more fun in easy mode, that's great.

 

[Lasha]

Why don't you have time to beat souls games? If you have time to beat 5 ten to twenty hour games on easy then you have time to beat something like Elden Ring. You should evaluate your connection to the hobby if you feel like you need to fill your limited free time with as many games as possible on easy rather than a single game you enjoy. Are you using completion of games as a surrogate for success to offset the stress of your life? Or is it because you are worried about being "left behind" by the gaming community? Playing a bunch of games on easy isn't bad by itself. All gaming is a waste of time at some level. I would be more worried about the shift in preference towards consuming games which doesn't sound healthy.

 

[demigod]

OP is a pussy confirmed.

 

[Davesky]

I’ll play easy on storydriven games with through the motions type gameplay, but once in a generation type experiences need to be played at a satisfactory and challenging level.

 

[TheDreadLord]

You don’t need to play all games released. Just have fun with what you are playing.

 

[Nico_D]

What I don't understand is why people care about what other people think. In this case about such a trivial thing as game difficulty anyone plays on.

I don't care if someone play on easy or on brutal. That kind of thing does not impress me in people.

 

[Dr. Claus]

Why don't you have time to beat souls games? If you have time to beat 5 ten to twenty hour games on easy then you have time to beat something like Elden Ring. You should evaluate your connection to the hobby if you feel like you need to fill your limited free time with as many games as possible on easy rather than a single game you enjoy. Are you using completion of games as a surrogate for success to offset the stress of your life? Or is it because you are worried about being "left behind" by the gaming community? Playing a bunch of games on easy isn't bad by itself. All gaming is a waste of time at some level. I would be more worried about the shift in preference towards consuming games which doesn't sound healthy.

I am not even good at Soulsbourne games and I still completed with a Platinum of Elden Ring in under 120 hours. There is so much to explore and do that if you are "stuck" on any particular part, you can go elsewhere to get stronger or find new items that may improve your personal playstyle.

Plus there are plenty of easy cheesebuilds to make the entire game a joke.

 

[Raven117]

Normal. If I get frustrated, then easy. I’m too old to eff around with frustrating games

 

[three_muffins]

The older I get the less time I have to play.
So lately when I feel like it's taking me a long time to finish a game, I just flip that to easy mode and fly through it.
I used to enjoy hard games, I'm a huge fan of the Dark Souls franchise, I just don't have the time for any of that anymore.
Am I cheating not only the game but also myself and life?
Are any other 30-40 y.o. gamers going through the same?

The Game has an option to be played on easy. Whats the problem?

What do you gain when you play on normal or hard. Online and imaginary bragging rights?

 

[kubricks]

The older I get the less time I have to play.
So lately when I feel like it's taking me a long time to finish a game, I just flip that to easy mode and fly through it.
I used to enjoy hard games, I'm a huge fan of the Dark Souls franchise, I just don't have the time for any of that anymore.
Am I cheating not only the game but also myself and life?
Are any other 30-40 y.o. gamers going through the same?

It depends on games.
If it's about grind on skills then I have no issue taking my time learning the basis, I have just completed Sekiro last month, what a great game and easy mode will ruin it.
If it's about level grinding like older style rpg then I play it on easy mode. I have no shame on playing Trails 3rd on easy, I just want the back story of my beloved characters from FC and SC.

Oh, I am 43 and with 3 children.
Do what you like and enjoy it your own way, you don't need approval from others.

 

[kubricks]

Paying on easy is embarrassing. Git gud or find another hobby.

LOL This has to be satire... right? RIGHT?

 

[StereoVsn]

Not only do I play some games on easy and others on normal, I also use cheats/mods for games like Elden Rings where there is no easy mode and Assassin's Creed line and Ubisoft's attempt to get you to buy there stupid currency.

I got a job, kids, family, other interests, studies, etc...don't have much time for either grinding or "gitting gud". Of course only in SP.

 

[AdamMcKraken]

I'm also mid 30s. I do have more time than others my age so I can game as much as I want, that being said I always play on normal every game. I like to experience the world the characters and the story without sweating too much (some games are challenging even on hard sometimes), and if I liked the game I'll restart it on hardest.
What I tell my sister (who is potato at gaming but enjoys them a lot) applies to everyone imo; Videogames are made to entertain you, their purpose is to make you happy and having fun. IF you have a good time on easiest difficulty then play there. You don't have to prove anything anyone with higher diff. If you enjoyed the story and the journey on easy that's pretty good because the game served it's purpose.

 

[Puscifer]

The only people who care about the difficulty someone plays on are losers.

 

[reksveks]

Play however you want if it makes the experience more personally enjoyable, f whatever anyone else things.

I play Persona games with a guide.

 

[sono]

No. It does not have to be a race. Playing on easy you are likely missing parts of the experience that the game designers want for you. You paid for it get your money's worth.

If you just want a story watch a film or youtube

 

[X-Wing]

The Game has an option to be played on easy. Whats the problem?

What do you gain when you play on normal or hard. Online and imaginary bragging rights?

The respect of hardcore gaffers?

 

[Gorgon]

The respect of hardcore gaffers?

The respect of "hardcore gaffers"? Surely that's a joke, sir.

 

[X-Wing]

The respect of "hardcore gaffers"? Surely that's a joke, sir.

I kid you not. I live to receive the love of my fellow Gafers.

 

[Ev1L AuRoN]

Maybe if I dropped to normal/medium I will finish more of the games I started. To be frank, maybe that is what is holding me back of enjoying some games to its completion. Being a 80s gamer I'm stuck with the mentality to play every game of the hardest difficult allowed, but being an adult with work and family, it means less time to enjoy games and a big pile of unfinished games on the backlog.
I see no problem in playing on easy man, as long as you are having fun. I'll try to do this myself, maybe not all the way to easy but playing on normal should be enough.

 

[anthraticus]

You want a prize ?

 

[L*][*N*K]

I play on easy, I have nothing to prove.

 

[Mr Wonderstuff]

I'm over the hill at 53 and try to stay the 'normal' course in general gameplay. However, boss battles, are where I can turn the difficulty down as I don't have the resilience, memory ("was it r2 + r1 + Square for something?"), time or inclination to hit my head against a brick wall of difficulty again and again until it bleeds. I have more interesting stuff to do with my life - travelling/hiking/socialising and gaming, whilst fun and rewarding, is also not the be all and end all of life or social acceptance. Play on easy and enjoy the rest of your life.

 

[Pegasus Actual]

I play on the hard modes and then use the cheese strats. Big fun had.

 

[RoboFu]

One good reason for people to complain about gamers who play on easy is when those gamers talk shit about a game or give it a low score. They are effectively playing watered down versions of the games.

 

[BlackTron]

Play it on normal and come back later on hard if you want more?

I would only knock it down to easy if my time management concern was finishing games instead of playing them, or the game was a special case. For example most of my time spent in Ikaruga was "easy" mode without the suicide bullets lol

 

[GymWolf]

Nope, still going with max difficulty.

I hate breezing through games.

 

[Virex]

Is this one of those "Please make me feel validated" threads? Games are easy enough these day that they don't even need an easy mode.

You should find another hobby

 

[Flyingpanther]

I have the same, playing games on easy (especially long games)and normal because I don't have that mutch time anymore. Busy job and girlfriend . This way I can still enjoy and Finnish the game.

 

[FrankWza]

Higher difficulty just means enemies have more HP and do more damage and stuff

Not necessarily. A lot of times the AI gets dumbed down to nothing and enemies stand around waiting to be hit.

 

[Xtib81]

It takes a serious lack of skill to play on easy mode but to each their own, why would you care about what others think?

 

[anthraticus]

OP is a pussy confirmed.

Forum looks to be full of pussies this morning. He can join all the others here..

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/tear-circle-jerkers-what-was-the-last-game-that-made-you-cry.1656315/page-2#post-267918928

Gonna have to revert back to the old forum name and reverse those letters around again...lol

 

[RoboFu]

I have the same, playing games on easy (especially long games)and normal because I don't have that mutch time anymore. Busy job and girlfriend . This way I can still enjoy and Finnish the game.

This is a silly excuse really that I keep reading, I am also super busy with work and kids .. ect.

It just means it takes me longer to play a game. I can play one game for months.. which isn’t a bad thing.

 

[DanEON]

Which games are you having difficulties on normal??? Because games are easy nowadays. I play every game on hard difficulty because it's what feels normal to me.