Video games & time limits

[Zacharine]

Agreed, time limits should not be a focus point of the game, or even a major part of the game. Howver, there are several instances where I feel it has been done well. One such example is the ending of Halo 1, when you have only a certain amount of time to escape. It makes sense in the context of both the game situation and story and does not feel too forced or artificially jammed together.

So, in certain instances a time limit of sorts might be called for and be a good addition to the scenario, but it should be used sparingly and considering gameplay aspects and the applicability to the storyline.

 

[rosseloh]

I rather hated the time limits in GTA4, more specifically the ones set by Little Jacob when you're doing a drug run. Even though the very first guy is practically right around the corner, he's in such an awkward position that you run out of time just trying to figure out which entrance to the alleyway he's in.

GTA4's limits are definitely the ones that annoy me the most. So you called me up to have a date, and you're on the other side of the city? Great! What? I have 1 minute to find you, cut through traffic, and not run you over when I skid in? Screw that, I'm going to go shoot some people. I definitely think that if they really wanted the time limits on those missions (dates, outings, drug deals) they should have given you 5 hours/minutes.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

For the most part, I find that time limits are always a detriment to games. The only one I can think of that I actually liked on some level was, as SakSak had brought up, the last mission in Halo.

However, the time limit in games generates one of three feelings in me: 1)I could play through this again if I really had to, though I'd much rather not. 2) I am never playing this mission again under any circumstances. 3) I am never playing this game again.

The first I felt in the end of Viewtiful Joe and in Resident Evil 4. The second I felt in that horrible timed mission at the end of Call of Duty 4. The third applies to Dead Rising, which I traded for the Fifth Anniversary Devil May Cry boxset. Though I already had DMC1 and DMC3, and I had played through DMC2, I still felt that I made a very good trade, as it gave me the opportunity to play as Vergil, ergo Nelo Angelo. I was definitely on the better end of that trade, because Dead Rising was really pathetic. The timed mission in the basement was merely the straw that broke my will to continue playing it.

 

[Zombie_Fish]

If they're only some part of the game, make sense and are possible, then they're okay. Otherwise NO, THEY SUCK!

 

[tehweave]

I always like to explore every nook and cranny of the game, and time limits make me unable to, because I'm afraid I won't make it in time. It's also the main reason I have never played Majora's Mask.

As a whole, I thought Majora's Mask used the "limited time" feature really well. Especially since you could reset the clock whenever you wanted.

One of the worst offenders I've seen for a time-limit game was the original Pikmin. It was a fun, innovative puzzle game, whose title strangely resembled "Pokemon." Yet for some stupid reason nintendo thought it was a good idea to throw in a time limit on EVERY SINGLE LEVEL.

Of course, this was around the time I stopped trusting Nintendo as a whole, seeing as how they're run by a bunch of monkeys now.

 

[jimduckie]

i agree with the time limits in some games there is no need except for defusing bombs or when like in some rare occasions that it makes sense , cod4 online play in some matches you should be able to stop the timer, wars don't end in 10mins , non stop battles lasting 24 hrs with drop in drop out play would be fun and would work

 

[Fingerprint]

Being the stealthy sneaky type of player I am, I hate time limits with a passion. Using them as an addition to gameplay as an optional extra is fine (I still won't generally try it, but anyway) I can see why people might like it but I'm not one. When they're enforced I feel it can take away some of the fun.

 

[supermaster1337]

which is why i dont like the newer final fantasies. they are time based, im talking the battle parts.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Now the Majora's Mask model is something I can get behind. I mean, it puts a little pressure, but unless you were fooling around for the better half of a day, you could finish a dungeon with all the faeries in one good go.

And that's assuming you didn't slow down the clock to begin with. I tended to reserve days for certain tasks (one day for Clock Town, one for the Swamp, one for various minigames, one for the Mountains, etc.).

The only time I ever had problems with the time limit in that game was once, when I just couldn't figure out what to do in the Water Temple (and beat Gyrorg with only three hours left).

 

[AMVP]

Friggin' Earthworm Jim! Has anyone ever beaten the underwater time trial in that glass bubble? I think I got it once, but it was on the game boy version, and I couldn't save afterwards.

 

[Julianking93]

Now the Majora's Mask model is something I can get behind. I mean, it puts a little pressure, but unless you were fooling around for the better half of a day, you could finish a dungeon with all the faeries in one good go.

And that's assuming you didn't slow down the clock to begin with. I tended to reserve days for certain tasks (one day for Clock Town, one for the Swamp, one for various minigames, one for the Mountains, etc.).

The only time I ever had problems with the time limit in that game was once, when I just couldn't figure out what to do in the Water Temple (and beat Gyrorg with only three hours left).

That was the only bad part of the whole game. I've never been very partial to in game time limits but it was just something about that just did it so well. The only other game that did it for me was Dead Rising. Every other game that has had a time limit just isn't as enjoyable. I understand that it's supposed to add a feeling of hectic and its supposed to give it this more realistic or scary feeling but unless you do it like Majora's Mask or Dead Rising it ain't gonna be good.

 

[neuromasser]

I hate time limits, almost broke my TV once >:O

 

[VitalSigns]

Time Limits completely eliminate Immersion, which is arguably the most important aspect of a game. (besides fun)