Poll: Hard Difficulty as an unlock?

[Lugbzurg]

Huh, I have actually been considering having the hardest skill level in a game concept of mine to be unlocked (There were four... Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, and DEATHWISH), due to the fact that each one started out with their own unique prologue. The "Deathwish" prologue was going to start out with spoilers, in the sense that the protagonist is about to fight the final boss, and then the game goes back to how it all began. As such, this was going to have to be unlocked. Seeing how very much despised this is, I should keep the prologue more vague and have "Deathwish" available from the start.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I generally play games on easy or normal to start with and like to have a new, harder option unlock once I've beaten the game the first time (I think that's part of the + in New Game + with Arkham City). I'm surprised how few people like unlocking a harder difficulty though! I mean if you can only play Easy and Normal that's one thing but I like being able to unlock SUPER HELL Difficulty etc.

This also puts me in mind of the many, MANY Dark Souls II threads that have popped up recently. Would people piss blood from their eyes if you could unlock easy mode in DS2 by beating the normal and/or hard difficulty first? Just putting that out there. Seems like a good idea to me personally.

 

[Lord_Jaroh]

What about harder than hard? Like God of War's God Mode?

 

[loa]

Would people piss blood from their eyes if you could unlock easy mode in DS2 by beating the normal and/or hard difficulty first? Just putting that out there. Seems like a good idea to me personally.

So the people who actually need it would never be able to use it?

 

[NecroNinja]

I completely disagree with the idea of locking out difficulties. I personally play the hardest difficulty first time on any game that I play, as I feel this presents the most comprehensive challenge. If the hardest mode is locked, and I have to play the entire game to unlock it, I am losing out. This is because I have already experienced the game. I know, to an extent, what to expect and therefore lose an element of the challenge. Whilst locked difficulties make less of a difference to those that like to play on normal mode (at least first), it is detrimental to people like myself, that want the biggest challenge from the game that is possible.

I think Call of Duty: Modern Warfare had an interesting idea though. All difficulties were available from the beginning, but with a little training level that suggests a difficulty based on how you play. Nothing is forced on the player, they still have their choice, but there is a little hint at what to expect. I quite liked that idea. I just ended up practising the level until it suggested Veteran mode for me, moving on, content that I was ready for the challenge.

To sum it up; if I've paid money for a game, I want to have the choice to play it my own way.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Would people piss blood from their eyes if you could unlock easy mode in DS2 by beating the normal and/or hard difficulty first? Just putting that out there. Seems like a good idea to me personally.

So the people who actually need it would never be able to use it?

I don't know about need. I would liken it to unlocking a cheat menu...only it isn't a cheat, it's just an easier mode.

 

[loa]

Would people piss blood from their eyes if you could unlock easy mode in DS2 by beating the normal and/or hard difficulty first? Just putting that out there. Seems like a good idea to me personally.

So the people who actually need it would never be able to use it?

I don't know about need. I would liken it to unlocking a cheat menu...only it isn't a cheat, it's just an easier mode.

That would be silly.

 

[JochemHippie]

I usually start games on hard difficulty. Not the hardest, but hard. Assuming there are 4 or more difficulties. As there should be.

 

[Soxafloppin]

I think it depends on the game.

If Hard mode is just slightly harder than normal then it seems a bit daft, but Star wars: The Force Unleashed had big penis mode as an unlockable difficulty but it required a big penis to beat it, and therefore didn't seem too bad.

 

[IronMit]

balancing is the issue here..

is normal difficulty actually easy/accessible?

Is hard really normal?

Is the harder difficulty balanced to play it first time or when you already know the game..?

example/ hitman purist mode-for those who actually know the game inside out

compare this to

Metal gear solid 2 - when you are asked if you have played the previous instalments and if you are good at action games

unlocking harder difficulties should not even be considered until you know weather the harder difficulty is just a more realistic challenge or is it primarily for multiple playthroughs

A second playthrough should be unlocking extra guards and different patrol routes. changed item locations. all we get is heightened perception, health and sometimes a few more guys if you're lucky

 

[Whispering Cynic]

The usual trinity of Easy, Normal, Hard (or whatever you choose to call them) should be available from the start, with only those special difficulty levels being unlockable after finishing the game (Nightmare/Insanity settings). That said, I don't really mind this practice, as long as it's handled with care...

 

[Fuzzed]

Difficulty settings are an odd cookie. I understand them, but all they really do is just change variables. Like, increasing the amount of enemies on the playing field or something. I'd rather developers found other methods to get the job done.

 

[Fuzzed]

I think it depends on the game.

If Hard mode is just slightly harder than normal then it seems a bit daft, but Star wars: The Force Unleashed had big penis mode as an unlockable difficulty but it required a big penis to beat it, and therefore didn't seem too bad.

If you already have a big penis does the game sense that and let you automatically win?

 

[Bad Jim]

It actually makes sense from the publisher's perspective to keep the harder difficulties locked.
There are a lot of people who see themselves as having something to prove, or similar, and so play any game on the hardest difficulty they can and will refuse to lower it even if they have problems. If you give these people the hardest difficulty right off, then they'll play it even though they're probably not very good at it. So, in turn, they will die a lot and won't enjoy the game as much as they might, or even outright dislike it. And then, when their friends ask about it, they'll say the game wasn't very good.
Alternatively, if the harder modes are locked, then these people will be forced to play on a difficulty that they can cope with, and so will enjoy the game more, and so will talk better about it to their friends who might then go on to buy it.

I agree that it's bad for us to have such options locked at the start, but they're not just doing it randomly.

They should do what they did in Quake, where easy, medium and hard modes are available but very hard is hidden, though easily accessible once you know where it is. And/or make them kill a single room full of tough enemies to prove they have the skill for the hardest modes.

There's no need to make someone play through the entire game before they can select the difficulty they want. What if I have to reinstall? What if I have played previous games in the franchise a lot or other, similar games? What if I'm just a masochist and like attempting every fight 100+ times?