Which FPS Actually Takes Skill?
- Thread starter Tomany2
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They all take skill. It's just that games have a certain element of randomness, diminishing returns, and feedback loops. With a low randomness, a more skilled player will win 99% of the time (the chess area). With a high randomness, a skilled player will win 51% of the time (More in the Mario Party area). A game with more randomness will feel like it has less skill, because the payoff for skill is less pronounced. This is compounded by diminishing returns, where after a certain level of proficiency, your odds of winning stop increasing dramatically. You still improve your odds, but not by much. Also, many games have negative feedback loops where a person who is far ahead is hindered, and a person who is behind is helped (Think Blue Shell/ Bullet power up in Mario Cart). This levels the playing field even more, and makes a game feel less skill focused. However, unless it's a solved game, then any amount of skill must still be improving your game. It just might not be by an appreciable amount.
So I see basically all of the major fps's have been covered so I'd like to bring up a lesser known Third Person Shooter called GunZ.
This game takes a combination of high skill, lot's of repetition, and a good know-how of the various play styles. Seriously, once you hit around level 30 the difficulty just ramps up insanely, and if all you know is how to spray and pray you will get no where.
Definitely something to check out if you're feeling bored with all these fps's, but do so at your own peril.
Oh and pro-tip, learn to k-style as quickly as you can, it'll pay off if you stick around long enough to get to the higher levels.
This game takes a combination of high skill, lot's of repetition, and a good know-how of the various play styles. Seriously, once you hit around level 30 the difficulty just ramps up insanely, and if all you know is how to spray and pray you will get no where.
Definitely something to check out if you're feeling bored with all these fps's, but do so at your own peril.
Oh and pro-tip, learn to k-style as quickly as you can, it'll pay off if you stick around long enough to get to the higher levels.
Well this thread is officially too long to read, but if it hasn't been said: Red Orchestra. So much.
Without experience and a plan, coupled with battlefield awareness and a sense of when to lay low and when to run flat out, bayonet set to "Stab"... you will just die. Alot.
And to me, that is the epitome of "skill"... but to be fair I favor tactical skill and decision making over twitch (And I cringe to use this word here) "skillz", the kind people who insist WoW pvp is anything but suits of armor and rare weapons number-fighting each other takes.
Now to totally counter my own argument, TF2 does take alot of skill in my book. I can attest, because over the years I went from dying a ton and thinking "X or Y is OP!" to understanding how I need to react in almost every situation with various classes.
But again, I argue that "skill" doesn't exist in video games, and that people really mean experience or tactical thinking when they refer to it. Or the ability to hit semi-random keys like a crack addict, depending.
Edit: Oh look, RO was mentioned right above my post! Anyway, I still think its the most skillful FPS.
Without experience and a plan, coupled with battlefield awareness and a sense of when to lay low and when to run flat out, bayonet set to "Stab"... you will just die. Alot.
And to me, that is the epitome of "skill"... but to be fair I favor tactical skill and decision making over twitch (And I cringe to use this word here) "skillz", the kind people who insist WoW pvp is anything but suits of armor and rare weapons number-fighting each other takes.
Now to totally counter my own argument, TF2 does take alot of skill in my book. I can attest, because over the years I went from dying a ton and thinking "X or Y is OP!" to understanding how I need to react in almost every situation with various classes.
But again, I argue that "skill" doesn't exist in video games, and that people really mean experience or tactical thinking when they refer to it. Or the ability to hit semi-random keys like a crack addict, depending.
Edit: Oh look, RO was mentioned right above my post! Anyway, I still think its the most skillful FPS.
OP I'm a little lost when you blatantly say something like Bad Company 2 doesn't take skill to play, I'm aware this is an opinion thing but I've seen bad players and I've seen skilled players and it's a bit ridiculous to flat out say a certain FPS doesn't take skill to play.
I've heard the same thing about TF2 and how that is a skill-less game, and I've seen some big matches where there's people doing things that I didn't think was possible.
Most games take a degree of skill, practice is something that adds to it sure but that should be obvious.
I've heard the same thing about TF2 and how that is a skill-less game, and I've seen some big matches where there's people doing things that I didn't think was possible.
Most games take a degree of skill, practice is something that adds to it sure but that should be obvious.
You damn ninja!Zer_ said:
I'm not going to call any games or compare anything, I'm simply going to say this:tomany2 said:
The amount of skill needed depends on who you're playing with, the game itself is just a tool and a matter of taste.
PS:
Personally, I prefer simple FPS games like Quake/Quake 3, Unreal Tournament or Painkiller, they could appear simple and they spit on realism, but they don't limit you in any way.
I've been playing Quake since the day it was released back in 1996, that would make 15 years, and I'm still learning how to play it better.
One's that have serious players that spend way too much time playing. The only way to get really good at a game is unending repetition. Most people will move one and play something else but the games where people start playing and don't stop for 10 years when the servers go down, those are the hard games. Now, you still have to play with those people but for old or unpopular games they tend to be the only ones there anyways.
I would say America's Army took quite alot of skill, only game I've played where getting whooshed by an enemy (or friendly) shot causes your accuracy to go out the window, also its the only game I've played where the grenade physics are closest to real life, has bleed out (which also affects accuracy) and any time you aim down the sights your player breathes and the sights naturally bobs up and down. Oh, and weapon jams. Certain weapons jam more than others too. Fucking SAWs. Jamming all the time like in real life the piece of shit.
Edit: and forget about hip firing, one way ticket to deadland
Edit: and forget about hip firing, one way ticket to deadland
I'm actually going to say a bit about Fallout 3 and New Vegas if you don't mind.
This is probably true about a number of FPSs...but anyone who thinks it's easy to hit a tiny speck in the distance, so far out that VATS throws up its hands in disgust, is crazy. There was a topic in here before about the use of iron sights. Well, think of it this ways. Doing it the hard way certainly teaches you how to really aim, doesn't it?
This is probably true about a number of FPSs...but anyone who thinks it's easy to hit a tiny speck in the distance, so far out that VATS throws up its hands in disgust, is crazy. There was a topic in here before about the use of iron sights. Well, think of it this ways. Doing it the hard way certainly teaches you how to really aim, doesn't it?
Halo 2 has the highest skill cap of any shooter. It's very easy to be a mediocre Halo player, but to be truly great requires a lot more talent and practice than any other multiplayer I've ever played. This coming from someone who plays Call of Duty 4 exclusively these days. I know for a fact that I was using more "skill" to dominate in Halo 2 than I use to dominate in CoD4. CoD4 is pretty easily the most "skill"-based CoD game as well.
Learning double and quad shots alone takes more skill than any other shooter, not to mention ridiculous dexterity.
Learning double and quad shots alone takes more skill than any other shooter, not to mention ridiculous dexterity.
start rant/ Well, I actually think BC2 takes skill. If you want to win, one must make squads and actually help the team. Not sitting in a corner waiting for 'that guy' to come into your crosshairs every ten minutes. Actually actively helping your team by getting down and dirty. The real thing that is dragging down FPS's is COD really. The game is so ridiculous that having an extra guy with you won't make it less dangerous, it just gives the enemy a double kill. Think about that for a bit, having an extra guy watching your back but just helping the enemy Rambos running around because the guns are all just point, shoot and repeat. So Call of Duty is fun but mindless really, and the people who do tryhard 360s. Please stop, you're not pro and just look like a tryhard. /end rant
