Let's Enjoy Torchlight 2 Episode 3: The forgotten criteria of fun.

Channel:

Sapphire Crook

Subscribers:

1,810

Published on October 6, 2012 2:01:29 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XNPjeubWD0

Game:

Torchlight II (2012)

Duration: 1:05:42

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Oh, the existential questions of Angry Birds Versus Borderlands 2 Versus Doom.
Luckily, I stop being serious after a while, so don't worry about me being pretentiousness all the time!

My main point is, that not a lot of people seem to play games and find the game itself fun. THere's interaction between dudes, but most singleplayer videos seem annoyed and bored, as if the game is just another chore on the to-do list instead of a relaxing, entertaining game.

But, it gets worse. Not a lot of people stand still in the middle of a game, after the prologue of awesome, and ask: "Am I enjoying this/What am I playing for?" Instead, they only ask afterwards. After they've beaten the game, feel like they wasted time and all.

I noticed this and never paid attention. I bought games, played them, never looked back. Sequels were part of a to-do list, despite being terrible. They got shelved and I barely remembered anything. I didn't buy them because I wanted a fun time, but out of compulsion. Crackdown 2 was a grind, while I still remember my first time of SSB.

I remember playing Super Smash Bros for the N64. The first thing I did was play it on the downstairs TV, doing Break the Targets with Pikachu. I THOUGHT I got Mario Party, but instead found a lovely game that caught my attention as I tried to unlock those weird, static screens. I was captured, despite barely understanding what happened. It was something few games seem to give these days:
Pure, unspoiled, self-generated fun.
The game didn't tell me I had fun. The graphics didn't make me feel giddy. The music was energising. I had fun, because I was in control, doing things. There were options. If Mario didn't work, Link might.

Now look at Borderlands 2. It's stale, samey, the environment mocks your very existence as a player while nobody gives a shit about anyone else. It's YOU. That game is YOU. It's a grind, it's awful, it hates you being there and wants to get over with it. It offers tiny prizes because it needs to fill time and you love tiny prizes anyway. The game doesn't ask for skill setups, planning or tactic. Just shoot your gun and try not to fall into the lava and you win. And if you don't, use X to make your guy OP or their dudes weaker or whatever. Variety isn't there.
Loot is everywhere, and comparing is hidious. The interface hates you! Like, it really, really does. In TL2 I can flip 20 items through my criteria and be done. BL2 might take a few minutes, just figuring out if I want more RoF or general damage. Or maybe change elements? At the end, the bad Loot has to have a good pricetag, so I feel good lumbering it around.
But what to spend my money on? Good loot is everywhere and money has no real... purpose. No potions, mid-battle aids. It's spent on the very thing you find EVERYWHERE. There's little need for cash. Unless you didn't find enough Bullets.
In my opinion that's awful. I NEED variety. I need novelty to spark my every move. I want a new skill just so I can blow my own face off without needing a friend to do it.
Not to mention that all challenge is fabricated in dialogue. Bosses are weak and hyped up, like they 'beat the biggest dude we have' but go down in 2 clips. The 'upping of the ante' is also very invisible and non-existent.

But maybe you like that. You're either suffering from Stockholm Syndrom, WANTING that grind to be fun, or you're an addict, or maybe you like it. The first two are sad, but the last one is fine, since your style is what makes you unique! It also makes sure I will never play with you, since I would be bored out of my mind! XD
Or maybe I'm just on the hate-banwagon. *shrugs*

Anyway... that's my opinion. Below is how I would evaluate a game to see if I want to go on with it or not.
If you disagree... good for you! Differing opinions drive innovation and inspiration, which in turn allow for more varied design and entertainment. People made TV because they wanted pictures with radio. The Internet exists because telephones and mail just didn't do the trick to some people.

Here are GOOD criteria for playing more:
Interested in Story.
Want to explore the land.
I want to kick ass!
I wonder how they build the next level.
The gameplay is great.
Experiment. (aka, fuck-around sandbox shenanigans)
I want to explore level and class builds to see how they impact the game.
A challenge is what I seek!

Here's POOR ones. They're not bad, just very lacking and meagre:
The graphics look nice.
I just can't stop playing.
But what about my co-op buddies?
Achievements.

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PS: My... sorry, this description got waaay to serious way to fast. I'm MAD bro!

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