Poll: Opinions about progress bar

[Sampsa]

During recent years I've noted the progress bar. It may have been there longer, but just now I've started to to pay attention to it. So what do you think about them? Are they confusing you like they're confusing me. Or are you completely indifferent.

Personaly I've liked it or hated it. Let's take some examples.

1# While playing Far Cry 2 it was nice thing to have. The game was horrifying but my honor as a long therm gamer prevented me from dropping it. It was kind of a relief to note that there were only 35% left or so. I admit that this cenario is rare.

2# While playing Dragon Age: Origins I was cruely deceived by progress bar. It said that I'd done about 60% of the game. So I was like: "Cool, I've still time things to see and discover". Then it turned out that the game was finished and the remaining 40% consisted of other storylines (the first 1 - 2 hours of gameplay anyhow).

3# Now I'm playing Assassins Creed 2 and it says 54% done. I'm confused wether it means that I've done 54% of everything like collected stuff and advanced stroyline. Or is it that I've yet 46% of storyline to go, which would be good because the game is awesome. Then again could be that I've got 10& of storyline left and rest is collecting items. I'd really like to know since I don't want to rush with this experience.

EDIT: Thanks to the vigilance of the fellow escapists some whing have been corrected.

 

[Snor]

i dont really care... i play the game as long as i find it fun to.
I just dont have the time anymore to go through every little thing about a game

 

[Thedutchjelle]

I don't think I ever saw a game with a 'progress bar'. There are some games that show what world/lrbrt you're in versus the total amount of level/worlds (like Diablo II or the snes game Yoshi's Island) so that you can gauge a bit as to where you are.. but I wouldn't call that a progress bar.

 

[Danzaivar]

I wish Mass Effect had something like this. Some people (ala me) like to get just before the end of the main story then go on a side-quest binge and do everything else in the game in one go, before attempting the last boss. Ofcourse, Mass Effect had a thing where the start of the end just sorta springs on you out of nowhere and once you've started it there's no returning to the main city hub for the rest of the game. Really annoying.

Games should totally do this more, they usually have a % complete number for EVERYTHING in game (Assassins Creed II has this, game finishes around 70% I think); should be a % complete for all and % complete of main story. One day, hopeofully...

 

[veloper]

doesn't hurt. doesn't help. doesn't matter.

 

[Marter]

It's there for me to laugh at. I'll worry about it after completing the game and it not saying 100%. Then, if I liked the game, I'll get whatever magical, tasty, treats it wants me to find.

 

[AnAngryMoose]

I wish Mass Effect had something like this. Some people (ala me) like to get just before the end of the main story then go on a side-quest binge and do everything else in the game in one go, before attempting the last boss. Ofcourse, Mass Effect had a thing where the start of the end just sorta springs on you out of nowhere and once you've started it there's no returning to the main city hub for the rest of the game. Really annoying.

Games should totally do this more, they usually have a % complete number for EVERYTHING in game (Assassins Creed II has this, game finishes around 70% I think); should be a % complete for all and % complete of main story. One day, hopeofully...

I find them extremely useful (especially when achievement hunting).

I also wish the the ME series would tell you that you will not be able to return to the main game hub when finishing off either of the games.

 

[Jenova65]

I wish Mass Effect had something like this. Some people (ala me) like to get just before the end of the main story then go on a side-quest binge and do everything else in the game in one go, before attempting the last boss. Ofcourse, Mass Effect had a thing where the start of the end just sorta springs on you out of nowhere and once you've started it there's no returning to the main city hub for the rest of the game. Really annoying.

Games should totally do this more, they usually have a % complete number for EVERYTHING in game (Assassins Creed II has this, game finishes around 70% I think); should be a % complete for all and % complete of main story. One day, hopeofully...

As long as you leave collecting the IFF til last you are fine, do everything you want to do before that Failing that just do the side missions after the main game.

 

[AndyboyH]

I tend to think the progress bar is now less important than the Trophies/Achievements. I've found myself with a few games not caring that I've not done everything so long as I've got the lion's share of the gamerpoints. I think it's also because there is a glut of quality gaming at the moment that you've got to be very selective with what you 100% - for example are 20% worth of side quests and potential hours of plot unrelated grind worth your time as much as starting the next game that you've been desperate to play?

 

[Ranorak]

I don't like em.

If I buy a new game, and it says 25% after 4 hours of playing, I get really worried.
Does this mean the game is longer without the bar? No.

But I don't have that nagging feeling in the back of my head that it's already on 1/4th.

 

[thekrimzonguard]

I'm confused wether it means that I've done 54% of everything like collected stuff and advanced stroyline. Or is it that I've yet 56% of storyline to go

I fucking want a game that you can complete 110%.

I think either Jak II or Jak 3 in the Jak and Daxter series had over 100% completion possible. Story progression counted for the main part, and doing extra challenges put you over 100.

In general I like the progress measurement because I like to go for full completion and it's a good yardstick of how much you have left to do. One example I can think of is Saint's Row 2, where just finishing the story alone would put you at nowhere near 100%.

 

[Proteus214]

As long as they're properly labeled, I think they're fine.

 

[havass]

As long as they're properly labeled, I think they're fine.

This, mainly.
Though an RPG can be forgiven for misleading progress bars.

 

[Audio]

What i hate more is being told how many tries i've had at a certain level.
"Yes i know i suck at this level..you dont need to fking LOG IT >:E "

 

[afaceforradio]

With AC2, to get 100% you need to have unlocked, completed, collected and bought absolutely everything; it's not necessarily about levels, there's all them damn feathers and what have you.

 

[CLEVERSLEAZOID]

I -love- progress bars

I've been worried about Sabotuer though, I feel as though I've hardly done many campaign missions, yet the Campaign progress is in its 70% margin.

Although the Freeplay is barely at 20%. Sometimes I got lost in this game for hours running around startig fights with Nazis and blowing up propaganda speakers. TOO MUCH FUN.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I'm confused wether it means that I've done 54% of everything like collected stuff and advanced stroyline. Or is it that I've yet 56% of storyline to go

I fucking want a game that you can complete 110%.

What's your avatar from?

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

It helps me when I lose track of my stats during the game and i want to get an achievement for completing all side missions and activities.

 

[Sampsa]

I don't like em.

If I buy a new game, and it says 25% after 4 hours of playing, I get really worried.
Does this mean the game is longer without the bar? No.

But I don't have that nagging feeling in the back of my head that it's already on 1/4th.

Yeah, I get the same feeling even if 16 hours is relatively good achievement for singleplayer these days if multiplayer is there.

 

[Danzaivar]

As long as you leave collecting the IFF til last you are fine, do everything you want to do before that Failing that just do the side missions after the main game.

Nononono I meant Mass Effect 1! ME2 was great because it was pretty damn clean cut that you can do what the hell you want as long as you don't start the derelict reaper. In the first one you have 5 big missions to do and once you do the last one it triggers the 'end sequence' which leaves you unable to go to the Citadel again, but it's not really clear at all about it. =/