Poll: Choice in games

[sln333]

I like games with choice, I like games without choice. Linear games like Halo and Call of Duty are a blast as much as "choice" games like Mass Effect or Oblivion. If you play a linear game you get to experience the message the way the creators want you to. If you play a choice game you get to experience the message in a few ways the creators want you to. However, most choice games only offer different dialogue options or decisions which result in minor changes or different endings. Sandbox games are the only real "choice" games because you can choose to do whatever you want.

 

[Darth Pope]

I really don't care. If they're there OK cool I'll have fun with it. If they're not whatever.

 

[Alleged_Alec]

Sandbox games are the only real "choice" games because you can choose to do whatever you want.

Well, when I talk about choice in a game, it's more about the storyline, really. Else games like Halo would be games with choice as well because you can decide with which enemies to kill your weapon.

 

[SimuLord]

I don't like linear games, but all too often the "nonlinear" games are just (as Yahtzee put it) "Mother Teresa or baby-eating". I'd rather play a game that's so wide-open, where you can choose just about anything from the game's menu and any linear path is solely set by the player either deciding for himself how he wants to role-play the character or by the game eventually deciding there's a point of no return where the player is too far stuck into a decision to the point where other NPCs would have no doubt in their minds as to what the player is up to (basically, you need to give every NPC or class of NPCs or town full of them or all three their own Karma Meters.) It's still the same basic binary choice as in more linear "choice" games, but there are so many combinations that the game cannot ever be the same game twice unless the player drew himself a map.

Then again, some people whine about sandbox games not having enough for them to do because they don't want to make their own fun (Mount&Blade, I'm looking at you---one of my all-time favorite games, but some people hate it.)

 

[Alleged_Alec]

I'd rather play a game that's so wide-open, where you can choose just about anything from the game's menu and any linear path is solely set by the player

Ah, and here we run into a problem: game devs do have limits, and this is one of them. It'd be basically impossible, and then again, some would not like it, as penny arcade so excellently explained.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/4/28/

 

[Aerodynamic]

I Can play games without Choices, But i would love something like Fallout 1 Every once and a while

 

[Lost In The Void]

I like a good choice game like Mass Effect where your choices actually effect things. An example would be choosing your stats, if you don't choose to upgrade your speech a little then

Spoiler

You can't save Wrex and you have to shoot him, or have Ashley shoot him

This is one example of tough decisions that Mass Effect presents to you.

Although I do love that kind of game I have been playing X-Men Origins Wolverine a very linear stroy and very fun.

 

[Halo Fanboy]

In a game I only want choose between killing someone with my left fist or my right fist.

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

I don't mind whether there's choice or not. It's not essential; sometimes it's a nice distraction, especially if its done well, but linearity is good as well.

 

[AngloDoom]

Choice is only good if it rewards you for making a decision, and that decision actually affects other elements of the game. It's not required to make the game good, however, but games that have good choices I'm an absolute sucker for.

 

[Alleged_Alec]

I want the choice in a poll to say "I like linear and choice based games"

You mean like the one saying 'I don't really care'? ^^

 

[Lost In The Void]

I like a good choice game like Mass Effect where your choices actually effect things. An example would be choosing your stats, if you don't choose to upgrade your speech a little then

Spoiler

You can't save Wrex and you have to shoot him, or have Ashley shoot him

This is one example of tough decisions that Mass Effect presents to you.

Although I do love that kind of game I have been playing X-Men Origins Wolverine a very linear stroy and very fun.

Actually (I'm not being a smartarse, just thought you might be interested to know) if you complete the 'Wrex's Battle Armour' sidequest before you get to that point, you don't need charm/intimidate to negotiate the situation.

That's pretty cool, I think.

Your right I forgot about that, but then that's just another choice you could do side quests and not have to worry about Wrex, or it could've happened by accident

 

[irishstormtrooper]

A game is better with choices, as long as they're thought out and good ones. For example, inFamous's choice system was well done and rewarded you depending on your choices, but the choices themselves were unrealistic in that one was good and the other was diabolical.

 

[Nouw]

I remember Grand Theft Auto IV claiming to have missions with "choice" - things like "Kill Him" or "Let Him Go". But it wasn't choice, was it? You just got a different cutscene. Wow.

Choice isn't necessary for a good game.

Agreed

 

[quack35]

They don't NEED choice, but one of the reasons I like Mass Effect so much is because of the tough choices it gives you.