All Video Games Should Have a Difficulty Option

Current Digital writer Brian White shares his opinion on why all games--and gamers--deserve an Easy mode.

[RAM0N]

No they dont

[UltraNova]

Exactly, its casuals who need to check games on their smartphones while standing in front of the game-store shelf full of games.

Not everything needs to be a walk in the park while the dev holds your hand during the whole experience.

Games like the SOULs series and BB are built around a high difficulty core. If you weaken the core the damn thing will crumble to pieces.

Fun Story and a message to the author:

If you thought casuals or indeed core gamers find BB hard then let me tel you its not even up to DS level, maybe not even close.

Now, How do I know this?

I was at a friend's last weekend who just beat his NG+5 play-though of BB. He did not play any DS before as many others on ps4, I presume.

He was so cocky and full of him self for this achievement. Good for him.

I kindly cautioned him to be bit constrained cause there were harder From Soft games...He wanted to try DS next..

Next day I brought him Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition now that he was and I quote "The Absolute Master".

Long Story cut short, after lots of complaint regarding the slow movement and old visuals he arrives at the first Boss...he got his arse kicked 12 times in a row until he realized he need to run for it.

Meanwhile he dies twice by the hollows outside the boss fog gate..go figure.

Round 2: Even after getting the jump attack right he get demolished 9 times in row before beating the boss.

He stared at me in silence knowing that if that was the game's 1st boss, all his driveling about being the master of Bloodborne meant absolutely nothing in DS. He had to learn this world mechanics again.

Why did I mention this? Because even previously casual gamers (my friend before BB) can learn and appreciate challenging games and absolutely adore them.

Disclaimer: I havent played that much of BB yet, I wanted to beat DS2 + all DLCs first, which I did two days ago and I'm playing BB this weekend, yeah baby!!

[HaveSumNuts]

What the title reads: "All Video Games Should Have a Difficulty Option"..... What my mind reads "All Video Games Should Come with Tampons"

[MyDietEqualsGames]

Hardest fight in BB was doing Amygdala in defiled chalice with a small health bar. It's only my 2nd time ever fighting her, and I got rekt so bad, actually just downed it few hours ago. Sitting in front of First Vicar atm. ;)

[DragonKnight]

The author clearly has a case of millenial A.D.D.

I say that because he's fallen victim to this age's penchant for needing quick or instant gratification with little to no effort. Demon's Soul, Dark Souks, and Bloodborne are not hard games. They are intentionally designed to punish twitch, reactionary gaming styles and force methodical play. This is why these games resonate more with older gamers because we come from a time where we had to play most games in this manner.

Sorry, but all games don't necessarily have to be accessible to all audiences. There is no shame in saying you aren't capable of beating these games. It doesn't necessarily mean you suck, it could just mean your playstyle is too set in to change and so these games aren't for you. Call of Duty and all shooters like it are not for me. I'm terrible at run and gun, and really don't enjoy it. For me, CoD would be "hard" but I wouldn't tell Infinity Ward or Treyarch to dumb it down so I could enjoy it. That wouldn't be fair to those who are good at those games.

So no, all games should not have a difficulty option. Adapt and enjoy, or accept and move on.

I mean, I spent what had to be hours fighting Ludwig in BB yesterday and constantly getting whooped even with co-op help. Ludwig is considered to be the most difficult boss in the game even for high levels. But I wanted the Holy Moonlight Sword at as low a level as was feasible so I faced him at level 55 and that was just stupid. Even with a level 6 Whirligig Saw, Str nearing 30, and help, I was getting one or two shotted frequently and doing pathetic damage. I had to bump up to level 60 and even then it took forever. The point? You're not meant to face Ludwig at such a low level with low level gear. My deaths were the result of that and being greedy. But I finally had a decent co-op helper and eventually took him down. I wouldn't trade that for a difficulty option to make the fight easier

@HaveSumNuts: That comment was totally unnecessary. There are plenty of women who are excellent at the Souls series and never complain about the difficulty. Watch Dante and Holly's playthroughs on Youtube, or watch SophieMcSophieface on Twitch for some examples.

[UltraNova]

@havesum

...and mum's pie for mitigating prolonged crying sessions.

Lets keep it civil though huh?

[SilverClock]

I'd have to agree with Nova. They really let you level yourself to the point where you can take a great deal of the challenge off. It seemed like all of my friends just used Ludwig's sword the entire game and just stayed back and did a charge attack from afar. I found it more rewarding to find those openings and land the visceral attacks though.
But the game is really more forgiving than I thought it would be, after I got through with it.

[GruntboxWizard]

@MyDietEqualsGames

Man cursed Amygdala was tough. I was so proud when I finally beat her

[ravinash]

It does have a difficulty option.... don't buy it.

[DarthZoolu]

Did you really need to write that much? Get off your soap box. This isn't even a reply to the message above it.

[ThanatosDMC]

He might as well ask for god mode option or insta win.

[uptownsoul]

Bloodborne does have a difficulty option...

1) Either play the game at its current difficulty

OR

2) You have the OPTION not to play it

Next problem...

[Helios86]

Sounds like he got carried through co-op or something in Bloodborne, because in all honesty Dark Souls isn't THAT hard.

Most of the time in the Souls games and BB it comes down to your mentality, too many times I got owned because I got impatient and tried to rush things.

While looking back at when I played Demon's Souls for the first time I methodically progressed with a pretty low amount of deaths due to playing it safe.

Alot of times your weapon choices alter the difficulty aswell, Ludwigs Holy Blade for instance is quite a crutch through the entire game.

[DeToX420]

Doesn't matter that was way to much junk to read. Take others into consideration. I don't mind the difficulty but I grew up with nes where most games were brutal. The fact that these games don't have an easy mode is foolish and lazy by the devs. Why wouldn't you want your game to reach as many as possible and belive me many many many were scared away because of difficulty when they would have stuck around and bought later releases if they were just brought more gently in but no. All you people who are saying it doesn't need it are idiots and do not know business. Reach as much an audience as possible, probably the main reason why the souls games will never make it to that top tier for all gamers.

[UltraNova]

@ DarthZoolu

"Did you really need to write that much? Get off your soap box. This isn't even a reply to the message above it."

What I said,
"Exactly, its casuals who need to check games on their smartphones while standing in front of the game-store shelf full of games. "

Yes I did reply to him, and you need to get off the internet and practice reading comprehension.

BTW, next time you can simply avoid reading my comments, solved ;-)

@DeToX420

"The fact that these games don't have an easy mode is foolish and lazy by the devs."

You have no idea what you are talking about...its as easy as coding hard mode. Just decrease enemy health and damage output while increasing the players, lazy devs all time favorite difficulty trick.

"Why wouldn't you want your game to reach as many as possible and belive me many many many were scared away because of difficulty when they would have stuck around and bought later releases if they were just brought more gently in but no. All you people who are saying it doesn't need it are idiots and do not know business. Reach as much an audience as possible, probably the main reason why the souls games will never make it to that top tier for all gamers."

I'm pretty sure you totally missed the whole point when it comes to Souls & BB games. I mean totally. To the point I seriously doubt you even played any of them or got your arse kicked so hard you gave up.

Let me explain it to you. From Soft created a game that was all about overcoming your mistakes by learning about them, it forces you to think before you act because any and every enemy can make you pay for your mistake, even the environment is designed that way. If you go in all guns blazing, you will die, period.

These games are challenging but fair to people who take the time to understand their rules. The same people who know that they will be back for more to get the same rewarding experience, i.e overcoming the seemingly impossible.

That's what From Software wanted to achieve and they succeeded. Each and everyone who has ever completed a Souls game or BB will forever want more and will convince others to check it out. THATS good business! A concept that escapes you, obviously.

[Helios86]

@DeToX420 Sound more like you are the lazy one here.
And no it's not bad buisness so long as the product is profitable and there is a market for it.
Nobody gives a fuck about some "top tier market", if that's CoD, Destiny and whatever junk EA and Activision spews out then frankly I couldn't care less.

Profits don't make a good game, good design does.

[Bimkoblerutso]

"All video games should," should not be a part of any real gamer's mentality.

[thekhurg]

Ignorant stance. All games should have difficulty options to open the experience of those games up to more players.

It's better for the developer, publisher, and everyone that gets to experience whatever the game is on their desired difficulty settings.

[nyctophilia13]

Agreed Bimkoblerutso. If the developers left out a difficulty setting, then that means the game is the way its meant to be played. If its too hard for you, DON'T PLAY IT.

Kids need to understand that the rabid Dark Souls fanbase play these games BECAUSE they are challenging. If you want an easy ride, don't go anywhere near them.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@theK- no.

God no.

We have different genres for a reason and games should not seek to be accessible for all players, merely those in which the genre is made for.

ie Let the survival horror play like one, let the hardcore sim racer...play like one.

Survival horror too hard? Play something else.

Racing sim too hard? LMFAO! PLAY SOMETHING ELSE!

Why should gamers have game developers spending all this time and money trying to make 1 genre 6 because of such a concept?

Merely play something else bud if its too hard, genres exist for a reason.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

@thekhurg

It isn't any more ignorant than your own. This mentality that this game or that game or that exclusive needs to be experienced by more people is getting old. Not EVERY game has to be played by EVERY person. It's not even realistic. From Software themselves knows they cater to a subset of the gaming community. They've said as much ever since Demon's Souls, and I think they've done alright for themselves as a studio.

[k2d]

Bloodborne's difficulty is by design. And what excellent design it is. Too many games these days are just about plowing through, holding your hand until the end credits.

I would do two things however:
1) Highlight levers better
2) Place the hints better

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

Not in today's progressive PC society, if a games too hard it's offensive because it's not being inclusive for stupid people. These people need a safe space in video games god dammit!

[himdeel]

Despite what people are stupidly led to believe everything cannot be for you. I have to side with the get gud camp on this one.

This is no different than the kid who sucks ass at basketball wanting to play and asking everyone to let him walk to the basket without dribbling so he can have 5 attempts at a single basket.

Same garbage as the lady wanting a PG13 version Deadpool (rated R) so she can still break the rules and take a 9 year old to watch a movie that's not for him. Some stuff isn't for you or made for you.

[ThanatosDMC]

Really? I did not know about the Deadpool thing. Thank you for the info. I'll look it up for lolz.

OT: I completely agree with you.

[UltraNova]

I want PG13 Tarantino films! Lets boycott his movies!

[Helios86]

"Same garbage as the lady wanting a PG13 version Deadpool (rated R) so she can still break the rules and take a 9 year old to watch a movie that's not for him. Some stuff isn't for you or made for you."

What the hell, where does this damned entitlement come from?
"ME ME ME ME ME!! Gaem to hrad must gief ez mode!"

[Kidmyst]

Any game with difficulty especially when there is a trophy to help with the motivitation, I put it to the highest difficulty I can. I'd prefer being able to choose the highest difficulty right away, now beat it on hard then unlock harder ones. The only time I use easy is when I beat the game on the hardest and just need to mop up a trophy or 2 for the platinum. I might curse my way through games like Spec Ops the line suicide mode at times, but when the game is beat I have a better feeling beating a game on the highest difficulty than just finishing the game. I have mobile games for the light play, but AAA I am a glutten for punishment.

[_-EDMIX-_]

100000% Agreed. Nope.

They do not need to change their concept and make some easy mode for those that don't want to get the concept of the game.

The difficulty is to force you to use your weapons, skill of dodging to a high degree, to make it easier, might as well just ignore all the skill involved in playing the game.

No. Just no, if its too hard, tough luck. Part of the joy in a Souls game and other concepts like it, is to have the player get the joy of victory, its part of the concept of hard games in general.

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

Games should be inclusive for everyone, being tough is problematic! They should be built for people who don't know what their doing from the ground up, it makes sense, games should be easy and never be challenging unless it's optional, but honestly who has time for a challenge these days? I prefer just wondering around worlds looking at paintings on the walls and talking to NPCs, what about us guys huh? Personally I think this should be applied to sports too, like lowering pole vault so everyone can make it, heck just give everyone a gold medal at the Olympics for trying! If there's ever a challenging section just skip it with the Triangle button and a message pops up calling you a little ray of sunshine! Tetris blocks going too fast? Not anymore they'll just fall slowly forever and never speed up! Hurray! I think we should blacklist games that don't have an easy mode because it's not inclusive! Who's with me!? #SafeSpace4Games2016 ;0)

[Maddens Raiders]

Millenials will be the death of all mankind.

[showtimefolks]

I believe all games should have difficulty options.

very easy
easy
normal
hardcore
hardcore

so that someone who just wants to enjoy the story or if someone doesn't have that much time they can play on easy.

games like dark souls/bloodbonr etc, don't need them but almost every other game should and will have difficulty options.

you know what's good some of your internet tough guys who love to bang your chests and say i play hard games really won't matter

as we move forward every game will have difficulty options. game development is way too expensive for publishers to say we are only going after hardcore crowd

i don't like games where it's one difficulty for everyone

[Bathyj]

Bloodborne says youre wrong. Some companies DO want to cater to this demographic.

From Software made a game thats deliberately NOT for everyone. Theyre fine with that, Sony is fine with that, and the fans are fine with that.

If youre not fine with that then obviously this game is not for you, and Im fine with that.

Yes the fans probably feel good about themselves because they can beat a game other less gifted or less patient or more time constrained gamers cant. Is there a problem with that? Would you tell a sprinter he shouldnt be proud to stand on a podium for placing in the top 3? People who would do that probably went to a school where everyone got a trophy on sports day so the stumble bums wouldnt cry.

And for the record its not about displaying my ePeen. I usually play games on normal because I feel thats the level with the best balancing. Games are usually artificially harder or easier by being cheap suddenly needing 3 headshots for a kill when 1 used to do. I dont like that.

Bloodborne is the level From wanted it at. Thats why I think it should stay. And I beat it and never played a Souls game so its not overly hard at all, theres just a learning curve. I dont really care if this upsets gamers who just want to be spoonfed. This is the whole point of Froms game not to do that and its how the fans love it.

[showtimefolks]

Bathyj

why is it an issue if a game like bloodborne for example came with different difficulty settings?

i mean i am not understanding the logic behind this stance by some o you. why would it bother any of you if a game had mutiple difficulty settings?

you can still play at hard or whatever the desired setting but others can choose between easy,normal and hard?

is it because most of you are scared that because of Mobil gaming that games now a days are more causal or geared towards casual gamers?

makes absolutely no sense. why would it bother me if a favorite game of mine had more than one difficulty setting?

once again the vocal minority is acting like majority

[Bathyj]

Because this is how From Software wants it played. We can accept that or ignore the game altogether. Im not so arrogant that Im second guessing them and saying I know better. Its their game, they know what theyre doing, CLEARLY, and I trust them to it, just like when some people cry Naughty Dog has a white woman voicing a black character. Who the hell is anyone to say they dont know whats best for their own creation because theyre dragging there own preconceptions in the subject?

And you have it backwards. Its not a minority acting like a majority. We are not saying ALL games should be like this. Just this one. This is a minority, being a minority, and reveling in it, not apologizing for it, and not giving a damn if the majority likes it or not.

Feel free to play something else if you dont like the game the way youre supposed to play it. We wont mind one bit and are not trying to persuade anyone. It fact its quite the opposite. We just want something we love left the way it is.

[showtimefolks]

Bathyj

brother i am not talking about from software or bloodborne/dark souls/demon souls

i am just talking in general with games. games like mad max, mgs 5, just cause 3(just few example of games in 2015 without any difficulty options)

would people have a problem if any of the games listed above had multiple difficulty options?

that is all i am trying to ask

[Bathyj]

Oh. Well don't I feel like the Ahole? I was talking about Bloodborne and Bloodborne only.

LOOK OUT, BEHIND YOU !!
*slinks away*

[showtimefolks]

Bathyj

lol it's all good. i figured you may be only talking about bloodborne lol. sorry for not being more clear

[Bathyj]

Bloodborne has an easy setting. Its called New Game.
Medium is called New Game+

[DarkOcelet]

Actually its the other way around. All games deserve a hard mode. I am tired of easy games.

[sinspirit]

I agree. It just depends how the increased difficulty is done.

The thing about increasing difficulty is I don't like when it's a simple enemy health and damage increase. If they change enemies behavior, maybe a slight stat increase, add new and harder enemies instead of artificially making the normal ones stronger, then a higher difficulty is definitely welcome to me.

Level-scaled enemies bother me too. Obvlivion, Skyrim, Fallout. I hate when I'm supposed to be the strongest person and I keep running into otherwise normal people that are able to destroy me. Those wizards in Skyrim were so much harder than a dragon to me.

[nitus10]

In Oblivion, Skyrim and even The Witcher 3 you can select your difficulty level at the start of the game, however you can also change your difficulty level when playing.

Making the game more difficult is ok with me but reducing the difficulty as far as I am concerned is cheating although I don't object to a trophy that indicates this.

In Skyrim you must have initially selected one of the harder difficulty levels at the start of the game. I actually play "Expert" which is a reasonable challenge, however once you get the best armour and can double enchant them along with you weapons then you really should set the difficulty to "Master" or "Legendary" otherwise the game becomes too easy.

Oblivion was rather unusual in that it was better to level up as slow as possible but make sure your perks levelled up quickly since all enemies levelled up with you. As an example a level 10 mage with a perk level of 100 has very little to fear from most enemies even at greater difficulty settings.

[CaitSith]

I disagree. If it's easy and fun, then it's a good game. But with the Souls games, it's both difficult and fun!

[Seraphim]

no doubt sinspirit. I want hard, not cheap. You nailed a couple problems that can arise from tiered difficulty. Unfortunately it's a thin line and tricky thing to truly execute properly in gaming. Seems far too many developers take the easy way out.

And for the Record, or toward the article, Bloodborne has an easy mode. Forget what they're called, insight maybe, haven't gotten around to the DLC so been quite some time since I played. But you can spend your points, keep them at 0-9 and the game is easy. Well, easier and more along the lines of a solid Normal imo. And once you're able to dump those points you should have a strong grasp of the mechanics and how to play making it even easier. Play the game and utilize the tools it's not terribly difficult at all. I'll certainly admit I kept my points low early on until I had a better grasp of the game. Even later when it got a bit too tough I'd knock it down a few points to beat a boss.

So pick another to call out because Bloodborne has difficulty levels. Giving players difficulty options is exactly what From Software did with Bloodborne in giving it a somewhat hidden difficulty setting so if the game was getting too challenging they could tone it back down.

Let's face it. Not all games are for everyone. If the developers want to make a game more accessible and with baby, easy, normal modes then they're welcome to but let's not say all game should have difficulty settings. Having a challenging game is part of the aura associated with some games. If you want to experience the game but can't hang go watch a walkthrough on Youtube. ok a bit harsh Lol. still, I have no problem if developers want to make their game with a single difficulty. At least when they get that difficulty right and it doesn't feel cheap or overpowering for no reason

[Sunny_D]

I kind of wished Witcher 3's difficulty was harder. I'm playing on Death March and feel it should go higher. It would make the use of potions and strategies even more important than before.

[WellyUK]

The problem witcher 3 has is scaling, you eventually become too powerful and can kill things very easily, same with Fallout and ES series.

[nitus10]

At the start of the game you can select Witcher 2 settings and this gives you an extra level of difficulty over your initial difficulty selection.

As an example I played "Blood and broken bone's", said "yes" to "Witcher 2" setting settings and was forced into a fight with five neckers after the dream sequence. I also got an extra quest. If I said "no" to Witcher 2 settings I did not get the initial fight and missed the extra quest and for me the game appeared to be easier.

Hmm! I originally thought "Death Match" was perma death so I did not try it. I guess I will restart the game and give it s spin. Oh well back to White Orchard.

I do agree that to fully enjoy the game you should play on the harder settings since this forces you to learn to use your potions and magic of which I found "puppet" and "magic trap" are great however you still need to think tactically since they may not work on some enemies.

[Salooh]

That's why i am no longer excited for most of the games. Too simple. Feels like playing kids games. Therefore a turn off to gaming in general so making games complex is very important to make gaming go to the next level so this needs to be changed or else bye bye to 95% of gaming for me..

[nitus10]

Personally I don't mind games that have have difficulty settings that you can choose from at the start of the game although I normally choose a harder but not necessity the hardest difficulty.

I don't even mind if you can increase the difficulty if you feel the game is too easy for you, but having the ability to reduce the difficulty is IMHO like cheating.

I would not object if game developers who allow this would give you a give you a trophy to say you are reducing your difficulty or just withhold higher level trophies until you have played a specific difficulty for the whole of the game.

[blackblades]

What games don't have a hard mode, never seen one without one. Anyways the problem lies with the player. It's called learning how to play, then it wouldn't be so hard.

[DarkOcelet]

The hard mode in games nowadays arent exactly hard or challenging.

[showtimefolks]

DarkOcelet

BUT LET ME ASK YOU THIS DARK:

would it bother you if a game has 4 different settings so any gamer can choose to play at any difficulty their desire?

easy
normal
hard
hardcore(or something)

[magiciandude]

Or just get better.

[Goldby]

the terms git gud

[MoveTheGlow]

Seriously. I was just what this author mentioned as his main point, a casual who walked into GameStop and bought Demon's Souls on release day because it looked cool. I didn't know what I was in for, but I didn't love it because it was accessible to me, I loved it because it was an intricate and fair set of systems that I clearly had to learn.

Bloodborne is no different unless you're talking about PvP, in which case "git gud" is valid. Just like how not every gamer will love an FPS, not every gamer wants to learn systems and think, but some of us do, and that's what's important. Games won't be all things to all people. Unless they're EVE Online, in which case there's a zillion genres in one.

[Majin-vegeta]

Git gud m8( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[Goldby]

no truer words have been said my friend.

[Herbalistic]

I feel like games should be built around the difficulty that developers intend.There shouldn't be any studios having to cut back on challenge/add easy modes just because some aren't willing to put in the effort to get better at the game.

[Goldby]

Games are way to easy nowadays, i put Witcher on Death March just to make it feel like i wasnt some super powered savior of the world like almost every game does now adays. either have an option for harder difficulties or do NG+ modes like Souls/Bloodborne

[I_am_Batman]

Agreed. I recently picked up Diablo 3 and it really bothered me that I couldn't raise the difficulty to anything remotely challenging before reaching level 60 which only happened two thirds through the campaign. I killed the main boss of act 2 in less than 3 seconds!!! I actually had to force myself to keep playing because I wasn't having any fun since the game was so ridiculously easy.

But even when I unlocked the "torment" difficulties I couldn't raise it more than one level at a time. Why would you implement such an annoyance. I had to quit and restart the game multiple times just to set it to the difficulty I wanted at the start of the game.

[ThanatosDMC]

I agree. Torment 1 should be the normal difficulty for D3 especially with the bonus op pauldrons and the op ice ring. Torment 2 should be the default for the Witch doctor and the Mage.

[Sunny_D]

Yes! I agree! I actually said the same thing in another comment. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[nitus10]

I agree I am going to restart (I am only up to level 24 on "blood and broken bones") on "Death March" so I do expect to die allot initially however I am definitely going to enjoy the challenge.

Nothing like seeing an enemy with a red skull over their health bar, makes for a great "Oh S&!t" moment.

[ZaWarudo]

scrub

[DragonDDark]

MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA

[Rookie_Monster]

No they don't. I like challenges and that Is what makes games like the Dark Soul series and Bloodborne so good. Newbies and casuals do not apply.

[annoyedgamer]

Completely disagree, the developers should be allowed to give us the experience they intend.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed.

[CBforeva]

What r u? A casul?

Joke aside, I strongly disagree. I got frustrated by Demon's Souls back at the time, but Bloodborne made me go back to the series and completed DeS and DS1. They have a nice spot on my favorite games list.

[nitus10]

Actually it was the other way around for me. I do have to agree that Bloodborne is like the Souls series and at the same time it is different.

I think The Witcher 3 was more of a help for me playing Bloodborne and in some ways Bloodborne was a help in playing The Witcher 3. A sort of chicken and egg conundrum.

[sullynathan]

I find that some games that don't have a difficulty choice or slider tend to be a little bit more balanced than others.

Do I think all games need a difficulty slider? No.

[ninsigma]

Ummmm nope. Games are designed to how developers want them to be. No one has the right to say this and that should be in or out. Let the devs do what they think is best for their game. Don't like it?? Don't buy it.

Edit: fixed errors.

[CaitSith]

Exactly what I said.

[Liqu1d]

"And no, 'get good' is not a valid"

Yes it is. If you suck at something you need to get good instead of whining. Most games offer no challenge nowadays and even the so called "hard modes" do little more than make the player take more damage while enemies take less.

The Souls franchise isn't designed around casuals so if they can't handle it then tough.

[neoandrew]

If a game is so hard that it is no more fun but frustration then it is a game that was not well designed.

Every game should have difficulty option.

[DragonKnight]

"Hard" and "fun" are subjective and not necessarily interchangeable. Just because someone sucks at a game, doesn't mean it's poorly designed.

[neoandrew]

And how would you decide if someone skill is enough and someone not?

How you decide if someone sucks if the only option is hard? And it is sett by the devs?

This is also very subjective, people are different, you shouldn't make one difficulty for all people just because you want them to have hard time, well designed game take this into account.

You shouldn't force someone to play again and again the same part cuz it must be hard, many people are just looking for entertainment, making so creates frustration and then they just stop playing the game.

There is no real cost in providing an easy option, it is very simple, so there is absolutely no excuse for not providing an easy option, it is in fact a very poor design decision.

[DragonKnight]

All games don't have to be for all people. That doesn't mean it's poor game design. If you can't beat it, that's your problem to overcome, not the game's.

[neoandrew]

Games are entertainment and entertainment is for all people.

If it is not entertaining due to difficulty level then yes is poor design.

I will repeat

"There is no real cost in providing an easy option, it is very simple, so there is absolutely no excuse for not providing an easy option, it is in fact a very poor design decision. "

It would not even touch the hard difficulty experience for those players that want it, there is just no single excuse not providing even the simplest easy mode like lowering enemy health etc.

If it don't change the experience for hard level players, why not?

It is just poor decision, no matter how you twist it.

[DragonKnight]

The concept of entertainment is for all people, but not all entertainment is for all people. The Romans held gladiator matches to the death as entertainment. Enjoyable for some, especially the nobles, but not for everyone.

I repeat, your skill or lack thereof has no bearing on the quality of the game design. If you suck, it's because of you, not the game design.

And lol, it actually does cost to make difficulty modes. You have to program stat values, AI behaviours, even the number of enemies and/or their locations. That all takes time and money.

So for the last time, no. All games DO NOT need difficulty options.

[Mr_Hinklesworth]

There's something to be said for a game that gets gradually more difficult. An actual good game doesn't hold your hand but isn't gruelingly hard in the beginning, but gets more and more challenging as the game progresses. Nowadays the exact opposite happens in most games.

[assdan]

@neoandrew. If they can't beat the game, they aren't good enough at it. It's actually pretty self explanatory.

[neoandrew]

Yeah, pretty self explanatory, poor game design choices.

[neoandrew]

DragonKnight

Man it is you opinion, mine is for the LAST TIME

All games should have difficulty options or some automatic difficulty system.

And NO, they literally don't need to change anything but enemy health, it is better to have any easy option that zero options.

[Liqu1d]

If you get frustrated because a game is too hard then maybe you shouldn't be playing it.

[neoandrew]

How can i know it before i play it? Can i refund it then? Cuz it is too hard and no way to check it before purchase.

And why the dev want to discriminate someone by skill level?

[nitus10]

In a Souls game you can make the game easier. All you have to do is level and not be in a situation where you could be invaded.

Of course if you can't level your character then maybe you should reconsider playing the game. Sounds elitist yes but in reality it is actually very easy to level up in the first hour of the game. You may die a few times but that is whole idea of the games.

[PaleMoonDeath]

No, not really, No.

[CaitSith]

If the creators didn't intend to have a difficulty setting in their game, then why force it? This article's just like those damn feminists imposing their bullshit ideologies into gaming. Just let the creators do their thing, and if you don't like, don't buy it!

[Helios86]

But, but, but, bad buisness!

[Hanso]

Father Gascoigne is laughing.

[rashada07]

I don't mind difficulty settings, I put mine on normal because I feel that's what the devs intended the game to be. However, I'd be more on the side of there being no difficulty settings; if the game is designed by the devs to be challenging it should be, that is the game.

[Tetsujin]

I agree. There's some games I play on normal for the story and game play, then go back on the harder levels (if I like the game) for the challenge. Some games I play once and put down towards something else. Other games I replay multiple times because the replay is that high.

I welcome difficulty settings as long as the game is created/intended for it. Some of these people who welcome hard games, try the original Ninja Gaiden on NES, or Super Mario Lost Levels.

[Salooh]

In my point of view , Hardest difficulty shows the true game not normal. Some games even feels so different in higher difficulty like Ninja gaiden or tlou which makes it more skillful and true to their game type. That if there is a choice..

If the game is not meant to be hard then so be it but at least make it complex and deep in other aspects to make us feel like we are playing something that in the level of our minds , interest us. We have too many games that are too predictable , easy , simple..etc .

For example, check empire earth then check the similar games these days. Feels like a huge down grade because of that mentality.

[esmittystud101]

Can we just have one series that is just all round hard. Not only that if Bloodborne or even the Souls series in general had an easy setting they would not be known for what there best at, they would just be another open world developer that walks you through the game. Most open world games today walk you through the whole game and nothing is hard anymore.

In Bloodborne they made it a point to not give you an objective list, not give you a GPS, not give you a map on screen, a save feature where you make a decision there is no going back, you stick with it.

I will say this, after playing this series now I find other open world games easy now. "Oh, you messed up, you can go back by selecting one of your last six save files." "Is everything okay for you now?"

The are no consequences in open world games anymore, its all walks in the park. From Software atleast gives us a chellenge. If Dark Souls 3 turns out to be a forgiving game, I'm dissapointed. I'm ready to die and From Software keep doing what your doing.

[Hanso]

I love the Souls Games and consider them a unique Genre
I really hope DS3 and BB were not the last from From Software because Miyazaki said DS3 is gonna end the saga :(
I like BB's Combat more anyway..

[esmittystud101]

I fully agree with you, the Souls series is a very unique Genre and regarding Bloodbornes combat, it is faster paced which I like more. Less shields, more dodging.

I too am wondering on what Miyazaki's next project may be. I keep hearing rumors he is headed the MMO route so who knows what that may entail. I think he is the most underated gaming developer there is and he hits all his deadlines on time, cough....cough....Kojima. LOL

I hope I atleast have as much time in Dark Souls 3 as I did with Bloodborne. Probably my most played game in 2015. I have faith in Miyazaki and know he will keep us interested for some time I'm sure.

[pyroxxx]

Don't care ,.. as long as it does not inherently affect design,.. and usually it does,.. so no

[goldwyncq]

Easy mode and Souls games are incompatible. Just imagine how utterly broken PvP would be if an easy mode ever makes it to a Souls game.

[assdan]

Exactly. You can't have a game like this and an easy mode. The game is a shared experience between the entire community, not a completely singleplayer experience. If they were to add a difficulty setting, I would agree, only if that character could never play online.

[Dark_Crow]

The game isn't even that hard. All it takes is patience and practice.
Learn how to play the game before stating such a ridiculous comment.

[assdan]

In my opinion, every game with difficulty options has the difficulty they wished everyone would play it on, and then several easier difficulty settings. Bloodborne especially shouldn't gave s
Difficulty settings. It would break the game. Also, if you thought dark souls and bloodborne were hard, play demon's souls. When you die in that game you can't summon others, AND you lose half your health unless you use a ring. That gives you a quarter of your health back

[nitus10]

It is not that difficult to get the ring and you don't have to fight any bosses to get it. the only problem is you need to find out where it is and surprisingly you can actually seen the dead person who has the ring after clearing the causeway (should take about 5 to 10 minutes). Now the problem comes in how to get to it.

[assdan]

You're still using one of your two ring slots to use it though.

[Two-Face]

People are not turned down by the difficulty of the Souls game. They are turned down by the tedious checkpoint and death system. For some people it is just no fun to go through the same 10-30 min section just to fight the same boss you died to. It does not make the game more challenging, it just drags the game lenght and waste your time. The slow combat and the fast stamina drain while you sprint also makes it just not fun to die and do the same thing over again.

I agree that a game should punish you for dying. But the way Souls game punish you is just stupid and waste a lot of time.

[goldwyncq]

That's why it's called punishment. Learn to adapt and get better at it if you don't want to crawl through a part of a dungeon again.

[assdan]

If you're decent at the game and know how short cuts work, you should really have to redo more than 5 minutes of a level. So in other words git gud lol

[assdan]

Also, the writer should have used other games as references to compare them to, because the numbers for people who beat games is surprisingly low. People usually don't finish a game they've started. For example, I remember looking at the trophy stats for assassin's creed 4 after I had beaten it, and only a few more people had finished it. Only 70% or so of people had completed the first sequence.

[GruntboxWizard]

Git gud

[MasterD919]

It should be a standard for gaming.

[Guyfamily999]

Wow, these comments. I agree, not because I think hard games should be made easy, but because some people are better at games than others. I'm not skillful enough to play uncharted on crushing. For my skill level, normal is like hard and hard is like crushing. Easy is what I enjoy uncharted on because I'm not the best at aiming or timing sometimes. For you, dark souls might be very challenging. For me, it's very very very challenging, I only made it halfway through. For some people, it's too challenging to enjoy. They'll never beat it.
That's my opinion.

[metalgod88]

I totally agree with yo GuyFamily999, which is why I feel the difficulty should be dynamic. If you get stuck and die a few times, the difficulty automatically drops a little so you can get past. That way, there's still challenge, but you don't have to totally suffer.

[MrChow666]

that way you take away the feeling of accomplishment and reward you get when completing a tough section and boss in the Souls series

[Guyfamily999]

I wouldn't personally say that, as chow said that would really damage the sense of accomplishment. I just meant that for different people you need a different difficulty to achieve that sense of accomplishment.
Let's say in a game without a difficulty choice, (made up hypothetical stats here) a boss has a difficulty of 80. The developer wants the boss to be especially difficult, and take upwards of an hour in attempts and trial and error to defeat. For someone with a skill level of 80, that's how difficult it is. For someone with a difficulty of 50, they might NEVER beat it. The boss would need to be a difficulty of 50 to propose the same challenge to that person as it does to a person with a skill level of 80. I don't think the difficulty should scale down as you fail, that wouldn't make much sense to me and as chow said would take away a sense of accomplishment. I just think that you should be able to choose when you start the difficulty of the game based on how good you are.

Yes, some people that are skilled could choose an easier difficulty, but that's their own decision. I just think more people should be able to experience difficult games and their challenge!

[Tex117]

Yeah, no.

Games should be a reflection of their creators artistic vision. If that vision doesn't have an "Easy" mode then it doesn't have an easy mode.

[Jmanzare]

Nope, if you're having trouble beating a game you need to get better at it. Simple as that

[nitus10]

I think you should have added after "get better at it", or "just admit you are't that good and look for a game that is easier for you". IMHO there is no shame in admitting this as long as you have tried.

I am aware that some people think that for some reason all games should be a walk in the park for them and when they find out this is not the case they either cheat to try and impress and if they can't they complain about it.

[melonfarm3r]

No they shouldn't. STFU.

[cyber_daemonx]

No just no. Most games have difficulty settings, fair enough. Ultimately its down to the developer to decide surely. Games like Bloodborne, Dark Souls etc are targetting a specific audience, Fromsoft know this and budget accordingly. Why should people who appreciate these type of games be deprived for the sake of 'casuals'. Answer is they shouldn't. Don't really see how an easy mode could be implemented anyhow, the game is based around its difficulty, having an easy mode would make the game almost pointless.

Tbh I couldn't see many casuals buying any Souls type game really, even by accident.

[AmUnRa]

Yes, but only for chrusing hard games like BloodBorne is.
Why? In that way is it possible for casuals to play and learn to love the game, and not have to skip it cous it is to dificult.. So yes for chrusing games it is a good option.

[Mr Lahey]

Classic case of needs to git gud..

[Gamist2dot0]

For those who can't get gud/handle a challenging game, how about implementing an Easy option for every game but limit the length of the game, e.g. Golden Axe. On easy setting, the game ends at Rom or The One Reborn.

[Elda]

It depends on the game but I love Bloodborne the way it is,when you get stomped you get determined to learn your mistake & eventually overcome your obstacle which feels rewarding!

[ziggurcat]

no they shouldn't. if games like the souls series or bloodborne are too difficult for the author, then perhaps he should either:

A) not play those games.

or

B) get better at them.

and besides, there's always the option to go co-op in the souls games if you're *really* having difficulty getting past something.

[gamerz]

I like when games let you choose the difficulty and you are rewarded more the harder you choose. For example Kid Icarus and Gran Turismo.

[Duke19]

Somebody missed the point of a challenging game

[Jozinho]

The new generation of Gamers are the worst. Cry because of graphics, now cry about difficulty. If you grew up in the PS & Sega days you would've probably quit gaming all together.

[Capps2020]

Wow, these comments sure are derp.

I agree that if adding difficulty options may change the way the game is designed it no longer becomes a simple issue, HOWEVER if a developer can implement easier and/or harder modes without affecting existing modes, there is NO rationalization for opposing those extra modes.

If your having difficulty realizing it may very well be possible for Bloodborne and dark souls to include easier modes without compromising the existing difficulty, perhaps you should research zero sum games and how you have no justification for claiming this is one without citing developers explicitly explaining why implementing more modes would be problematic.

To reference one of the above commenters who claim this is akin to letting a player cheat in a basketball game cause it's too hard, no, in no way does this have to be like that. That affects the other players too. Like the author said, if it's harmless, include more options. Options are good.

And by the way, if you're telling others to "git gud" , you're saying less skilled gamers are at a less desirable skill level, and that not being able to experience something they paid for (arbitrarily) is their fault. In other wards, your boasting that you're good at video games, which, to say at least, speak a lot of your character. To actually think that getting good at video games is something a casual gamer should do, that being a good gamer is somehow better than not, is simply pathetic. So, yeah, to all those who have married the phrase "git gud" with pride, you're bragging about being good at video games............... Yeah.

This f*cking nonsense is the same sh*t idiot Christians pull on the gay marriage debate, that somehow gays having the choice to marry somehow affects them. Don't act like you have the knowledge of game development to know adding in more options compromises existing modes.

Oh, and ya gotta LOVE the irony of some of you. "NOOO these games shouldn't have easier difficulties, go somewhere else!!!!!!!" And then immediately "God I hate how all these new games are so easy. Why don't they have harder difficulties?". It's the same argument morons. Guess what? Diablo 3 was made to be easy. Don't like it? Fuck off.

See the problem my friends?
Yeah, let's not get pissy because others want to play with our toys, hmm?

[Clogmaster]

But isn't asking for the developer to add something they never intended the same as asking for a musician to stop using indirect metaphors, or a painter to paint a picture how you like, or a writer to create a shallow understandable plot, or how about a restaurant known for super hot spicy wings, surely you don't say you want their special but without hot sauce? What's the point then?

From Software games have lore, but they're not known for having Last of Us or Uncharted like stories. So why do the people that have issues with these games want to play them in the first place? What is the experience they are seeking? If they aren't enjoying the experience intended, maybe they should move along.

[Capps2020]

The problem with your analogies is they once again they make this is seem like a definite zero sum game. In other words, having the developers adding a new difficulty level would change the experience of the already present modes, but it doesn't.
You see, nobody's necessarily asking for dark souls or Bloodborne to change, in fact, they're asking for a separate way to play it, that doesn't in any way affect other modes

Could you concieve of a way a dark souls game could have an easier mode? I certainly could. Lower enemy damage. There you go. How easy was that? Wouldn't effect the default mode, and now more people can play it.

Do you see just how simple and harmless this really is? I mean for christs sake we've had difficulty levels for ages, why should From Software games and other hard games be any different? It's just providing OPTIONS. Unless there is a specific gameplay design reason for not having easier modes all From Software is getting is a smaller potential player base, it's pointless.

Seriously, how would having an easy mode in dark souls do ANY damage? I just don't know how else it can be put. Just think about how easily you could implement an easier mode that completely separate from that standard difficulty. More people can now play and the game still plays the same on the
Regular difficulty. And we're saying that's a bad thing? It's nothing short of absurd.

BTW - I appreciate you not calling me a "f*ggot casual" that's gotta "git gud"

[ziggurcat]

@capps:

"Could you concieve of a way a dark souls game could have an easier mode?"

it's called co-op, and it's been available in those games since the very beginning. they get that the game is hard, which is why they've integrated a way for people to ask for assistance. co-op is considered by a lot of souls veterans as the game's "easy mode."

"Seriously, how would having an easy mode in dark souls do ANY damage?"

because, as it's been pointed out, it'd be asking the devs to compromise their vision for the game. frankly, making the game more "accessible" is kind of what ruined dark souls II for a lot of people.

[cyber_daemonx]

@capps, having an easy mode in the Souls game would compromise the games. Its the whole point. The philosophy is the bigger the challenge the greater the reward. Not many games give you such a sense of triumph when you finally conquer that boss who has pwnd you like 30 times. Its fantastic.

Anyhow it'll never happen no matter how much people cry over it.

[Night99]

There is no valid reason why Bloodborne or Souls Games should not have an easy mode. As long as I still have the possibility to play Souls games with its ordinary established challenging difficutly I really don't see any problem why others should not have the option to play the game with easier conditions. Does it affect me how other people play a game? No!!! So I really see no sane point why someone should be against that other people have the option to play a game with easy mode.

[Zarock]

Souls games are not hard they are just annoying.

[Max-Zorin]

Don't the average video game have a difficulty setting anyway?

[MrCrimson]

i was thinking they all need to be more difficult

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

Video Games Safe Space Option 2016

[drTorsche]

Sometimes I feel that way because of how terrible I tend to be at the Souls games, but I realize it's my problem for not having enough skill/practice. If I want an easy time, I'll play an easier game.

[Takwin]

I don't understand all the "git gud" elitism. What if the "normal" Bloodborne experience was 100% the same on normal or hard, but there was a mode IN ESSENTIALLY A SINGLE PLAYER GAME to allow people to experience the art and design that went into the game? It doesn't affect your enjoyment one single bit. It broadens the appeal of the game and increases profits, so it is good for the art and the business side.

Game difficulty in single player (or cooperatively multiplayer) games is not a zero sum ordeal. Competitive multiplayer games are completely different.

I'm a lifelong gamer who plays some games on hard (Civilization, Fire Emblem, XCOM, The Witcher, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, etc) but I really am not good at Bloodborne but thought the design and world were great. I would buy it if there was a difficulty slider. I cannot be the only customer they lost because of this and only the sorriest, saddest humans ever wouldn't have bought such a cool game just because it let some people enjoy it on an easier setting.

[thegreatklemba]

prob been said before here but devs should make the game what ever way they see fit. you want an easy mode make your own game. don't force your ideas into others creations

[overrated44]

The popularity of From Software's Souls games (and Bloodborne) immediately proves this article wrong.

[Subaruwrx]

From Software games are somewhat popular but still can't compete with the sales of AAA games like COD, Uncharted, TLOU, Metal Gear, Halo etc that do offer difficulty levels. It would seem to me that game developers would like to see their games sell as many units as possible. This means making a game that is accessible to as many people as possible.

Difficulty levels allow those of you who get their elite macho/masochistic kicks from beating a game on its hardest level to still lord it over lesser gamers who decide to enjoy the game on a lower level difficulty.

[cyber_daemonx]

Yeah but From aren't trying to compete against the likes of cod. They know their target audience and their sales expectations apply accordingly. The budgets for the Souls games reflect this. From know they wont sell gangbusters, but they know their fanbase and are guaranteed decent sales that match that budget. Accessability doesn't even come into it.

Tbh Fromsoft aren't competing against anyone really, they are in a league of their own.

[Manubiggs]

I agree with the exception of souls games. That is the challenge, being able to say you beat it and then again on new game plus

[ProGengu]

No. Bloodborne shouldn't have a difficulty option (Or any souls game). Getting that Platinum trophy meant the world to me BECAUSE it was HARD. And Sony sending me a Platinum earners Bloodborne theme was the icing. :D

Git gud casul.

[Captain_TomAN94]

NO game should have a difficulty option.

Imo a game should be set at an optimal difficulty for enjoyment. Then you can add harder side missions/objectives for those that want an extra challenge.

[Helios86]

Look, if there was a difficulty option in Souls/BB and you just cranked it down to "casul mode"/"game plays it self" it would no longer be a Souls/BB game.

The whole point of the game is to persevere when the odds are stacked against you, to be smart about your engagements and to sometimes think outside the box, if a boss kills you say twice you're obviously doing something wrong and need to change your approach.

Try to observe and memorize the moveset of the enemy instead of bitching about the game being to hard when you obviously only have yourself to blame.

The funny thing is that Souls/BB are the games I've raged the least at because I couldn't ever really blame the game because it's fair.

And if that sound too harsh or if you don't feel you have neither the patience nor the fortitude to handle that then understand that these games are NOT made for YOU.

Understand that humans are individuals and not some collective hive mind. While some games try to appease as many as possible others focus on a specific target audience.

[kupomogli]

I agree with Demon's Souls and Bloodborne on being fair, but there's so much cheapness in Dark Souls 1 and 2 that it could hardly be called fair. Fair would be potentially being able to finish the game without dying. That potential doesn't exist in even the slightest for your first playthrough of Dark Souls 1 and 2.

Just an example. Dark Souls 2 has so many flags that enemies appear out of nowhere or they start moving the moment you interact with something. Very early game, before fighting the Pursuer there's a very very small section that you can run up to collect a halberd. Not until you pick up the halberd will you have to fight two groups of four enemies. There's a possibility to survive, but when there's nothing on the left, right, or behind you, and the area you can walk on is incredibly small, pretty much a guaranteed death. There's just way too many areas like this within the game that you're not going to come close to finishing the game without dying, even the slightest possibility of doing so.

[Lilrizky]

Yeah I disagree with the article.

How do you even manage difficulty.

What if the easiest difficulty of a particular game is still difficult to the player.

I think developers should make the game they want to make in their vision without any pressures such as the need to include difficulty options.

[DarXyde]

They really shouldn't. If a game is meant to be hard, let it be hard. Nintendo rarely offers difficulty in their games and are fairly easy until you do the side challenges (Champion Road, anyone?). The Souls games are well known for their difficulty. Compromise is not necessary because if a game is always hard, a market has been established and an expectation is created. The only benefit I see to changing difficulties is making the games harder. I always play on the hardest settings because it takes longer to beat and I enjoy the challenge.

Beating games everyone is afraid to play is pretty much the gamer's equivalent to losing your virginity.

Let these games make men (or women) of you.

[kupomogli]

Most developers are already too lazy to balance their games, multiple difficulties would effect that even further.

Imo the best and most balanced platformer of all time isn't Rondo of Blood, but the remake Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles. The sections in Rondo of Blood that were both too easy and too hard have been modified for the game to be difficult but perfectly balanced. Unfortunately you have people like many of the game journalists that reviewed the game(Eurogamer for example) and gamers that suck at video games and bashed the game for requiring pixel perfect jumps(far from it.)

It's my favorite platformer, but I'm no pro. If I can get through every level in the game without getting hit once, then clearly it's well enough designed to get through the game with reasonable difficulty if you're going through it as a platformer fan.

[silvacrest]

If the game is to hard for you keep trying, or quit, easy mode might as well be watch a youtube video of watch someone else playing mode

[Dyldog69]

Not allowing a gamer to choose for themself is anti consumer period. Bloodborne would have only benefitted as it would have sold more copies. Inclusive policies benefit more than exclusive policies here. Not difficult enough? Turn it up. Too difficult or intimidating? Turn it down. Everybody wins

[RoseSapphire]

That depends. Are you making a piece of dreck for the marketing masses or are you creating something dear to yourself that you consider art?

Art does not compromise for the sake of inclusion. It has a story to tell and if someone can't understand it, so be it.

[Wallstreet37]

Thats like saying all games should have a pg13 type settting to allow lil kids to play them. There is a reason some games dont have a difficulty setting, doing so would diminish and change the vision of the game (Example an easy mode on souls games smh).

[RoseSapphire]

This is a great example of how everyone is allowed an opinion but that opinion can still be wrong.

No, not all games need a difficulty setting. If you consider games to be art, which I hope everyone does, then it is still a story and experience that is being told to you by the creators of the game and sometimes, many times, the difficulty of the game is a part of that story and experience.

[SarcasticDuck]

that's kinda true. when i was a kid I found myself f*cked by ffix, even if it was one of my childhood fav. games. Only like 4 years ago, i was able to finish it (unfortunally on an emulator) because i practice hard to "dig" RPGs. Hell, I bought FFXIII-2 just because it had an FF on the name, and untill now i still can't beat the end because the system of XIII is damn stupid to get! There are games that come too easy too, i don't play it over an year, but i don't remember GTAV to have a dificulty option (and it should)!

[Drakul]

H-E-L-L N-O!

[kazRium]

Not only do I disagree, I take the complete opposite view. Video games should have no difficulty setting at all. When I begin a new game, I don't want to be confronted with a choice to turn up or down a setting that can fundamentally change the overall experience. For one, I haven't played the game yet, how do I know what settings would work best for me? Why should I be burdened with the choice? I want to play the game as the developer envisioned, challenging or not. Honestly, there is something quite satisfying with starting a new game and not being asked about difficulty.

[holtzy]

i agree but that wont ever happen because you have to many gamers that would complain about games being to hard. there are way to many cry baby gamers out there. most new gamers would never survive the good old nes games. games back then were built to kick your ass.

[jznrpg]

Not all games are accesible to everyones skill level and that is fine by me. Go play something else?

[clouds5]

Just no. Games create a unique experience. If you make it too easy you take away from that experience. SC2 is a good example. On casual it's like playing with cheats and some missions that are designed to be really tense lose impact. I don't have anything against options but if it's the designers choice to only have one difficulty then that's totally fine.

[victorMaje]

Nope!

[Hotabang]

I love the souls series, and games that challenge the person. And usually Id grab my pitchfork and tell the writer to f off. However, I love the souls series so much I feel bad that people are focusing on the "difficulty" (come on guys, its not that hard) and ignoring how amazing the story/lore, characters, bosses, npc's are.

Demons souls hooked me because of how amazing its world is (boletaria is still one of the best places ever created in my opinion), would be a shame that people couldnt experience that. Writing that I realized that some difficulty is needed to "experience" the feel of the game.....so in conclusion I confused myself and dont know how to feel about adding difficulty to every game. Ill just go purist for a bit and say "enjoy the game the way the director intended I guess?"

[P3L1K4N3LUL]

I dont know about Demon Souls and Dark Souls, because I havent played them yet, but Bloodborne has difficulty settings and its measured in the form of Insight you have. The more insight, the harder it gets.

[EricHonolulu]

I Disagree.

I never played a Soul's game before. I am not a great gamer. After suffering and suffering through Bloodborne, I am so grateful that I had to work hard for everything. None of this easy bullcrap. I feel that I am a better gamer now. I really got my money's worth and I am more familiar with the Dualshock 4 controller because I had to get used to it. I appreciate this game so much more than others. Yes, it is frustrating, but that is part of it. Gotta learn and get better. If you can't handle it, then go play Pac-Man, whimp.

:P :o

[Donnywho]

Do you even FromSoftware bruh?

[fitfox]

no, because then it's like the developers are apologizing for their vision.

[DarXter]

Although I havent played BB yet (its next on my list) this discussion reminds me of the earlier resident evil games. The fact that if you dont pay attention you die; and deaths are actually meaningful changes the way you experience the game.

So adding an "easy mode" means that people will be able to access the game, but it also means that they will not experience the game the way it's intended (i.e., dieing a lot and being on the edge of your seat, instead of laid-back). Which would also hurt the overall reception of the game (since tension adds immensely to these types of games).

[DrinkySmurf]

They absolutely should. I am reading a lot of bragging about how "easy" games are. How "I turn the difficulty as high as possible". Or the worst "If a game is too hard for you, don't play!". What gives you the right to arbitrarily say that someone who wants to experience the story and atmosphere of a game, but lacks the skill should not be able to share the experience? Nothing, there are too many people who confuse the difficulty of a game with quality. If you find games too easy make up one of those stupid rules like, "I will only open my eyes for 10 second of a minute and play the game with my eyes closed the rest of the time!". Games should have easier difficulties so those who want an easier experience can have it. If YOU want to play on hard, fine, the option to play easy for someone else takes NOTHING away from you. You are literally trying to dictate how or whether someone else should play a game. That said, extra hard difficulties should also be present for those who want them. The topic is not "Games should ONLY have an easy mode", it is saying that more options should be present. None of you have any business telling people that YOUR way of play is right, nor do you have the authority.