Talk about challenges in gaming. Discuss what makes games tough and how players overcome them.
Talk about challenges in gaming. Discuss what makes games tough and how players overcome them.
I realize I'm arriving late because this subject gained traction after the Elden Ring release, but I wanted to share an observation from conversations about video games and difficulty settings. When discussions mention making games easier, I find the phrasing a bit confusing. For me, accessibility refers to features like subtitles or accommodations for players with disabilities, whereas difficulty relates to the skill level required. I see both as design choices—whether a game prioritizes challenge or comfort is an artistic decision. I’m not aiming to spark conflict; just hoping others who share this view have my thoughts.
I agree completely. Some aspects of games can really bother me, but others might seem normal to people without ADHD. For me, in-game adjustments are essential—they're part of the experience. Unless they're intentionally tough (like that bucket and sledgehammer game), I believe they should be included. If I purchase a game, I want to finish it fully.
You're aware you've tapped into Pandora's box, aren't you? Challenges and ease seem closely linked because lacking the quick reflexes needed for tough boss fights doesn't really reflect any disability I face. It's just that time is passing. A simpler game naturally offers more accessibility, allowing a broader audience to complete it successfully. This conversation has been ongoing since Demon's Souls launched, with those defending limited difficulty options often emphasizing personal pride in their victories. They might claim that varied modes diminish the sense of accomplishment, but this argument only holds if they personally engage with those lower settings and genuinely value beating a game as a milestone. Ultimately, people often base their self-worth on trivial achievements, which can make it hard to appreciate when others succeed. Media shouldn't depend on forced difficulty levels to be understood or appreciated. No other platform presents such a stark contrast. You don't need to force yourself into a 'watch this with your mind in a vice' mindset to experience it fully.
It’s true that simpler games can be more approachable, but I think it’s unfair to label everyone with disabilities based on those who prefer not to play hard or risk failure. People with disabilities can excel at video games and put in the effort if they have the right accessibility features. Still, the idea that you’re superior because you succeeded on a tougher setting is misguided—it often reflects a shallow view of gaming achievements.
Focus solely on the section of the community that feels like a cliff edge, and you'll agree. It's something they take pride in. For the rest of us "sane" fans, it doesn't feel like a highlight, but after going through all the matches, we realize the challenge is part of what makes it meaningful. These titles emphasize endurance. Even Demons' Souls used a Japanese proverb—“If you fall eight times, get up nine”—as the foundation. That’s the essence of the experience. I’ve spent days stuck on certain bosses, yet there’s hardly anything in gaming that matches the thrill of finally defeating that relentless foe and stepping onto solid ground! You also can’t influence the movie, or at least I don’t recall needing to trigger QTEs for Keanu Reeves to evade bullets in The Matrix. Just because a story is true doesn’t mean it translates well into gameplay. They’re both forms of entertainment, but they’re fundamentally different. Moreover, the Souls games consistently offered ways to ease tough encounters—NPCs, player allies, magical constructs, even a dedicated “helper summon” system in Elden Ring. Even the Lord of Blood in Elden Ring has a harsh mechanic that some players can push through, but only if they’re prepared. If you’ve explored thoroughly and checked your gear carefully, you’ll find items that completely neutralize those challenges. So no, there’s no “easy” path. Yet developers still strive to give players tools to make the climb less daunting.
It looks like you think I haven’t conquered any Souls games. I have. I support genuine challenge settings. You can still enjoy the game at a lower difficulty just as much, since tougher doesn’t always mean better. If you don’t want to face tough enemies or bosses, you’re still getting the experience you need. Suggesting everyone play exactly like you when it doesn’t matter to you is self-centered. Many games can be harder than Souls if set to the hardest level, but they often provide other options that don’t ruin the fun.
I don't agree with the idea of simply adjusting difficulty levels. It's not just about lowering enemy stats by a fixed percentage; it requires careful testing and rebalancing, which takes significant time and resources. Instead, developers should focus on offering meaningful tools to manage difficulty. People will decide how they want to use those features, and I personally prefer tackling challenges alone rather than relying on summons or other conveniences.
This discussion matters because it highlights how developers balance accessibility and challenge. Many games already succeed by offering multiple difficulty options, showing that thoughtful design improves player experience. Your perspective helps ensure that strategies for making games easier are recognized and valued. Understanding these nuances enriches the conversation about what makes a game enjoyable for everyone.
I also consider accessibility and difficulty as mostly separate things and that including a difficulty setting is up to the developer. There's a real difference between beating a hard game and beating hard mode of a game. For Souls games I think it would be especially detrimental to the experience, because the fixed difficulty is not just a case of "I want to play hard mode", it's the core being of these games. They are almost the definition of "figure it out, bye". In the case of Elden Ring specifically, I fully disagree with the camp saying using summons or something is "cheating" or "not the way it was meant to be played". It's a mechanic in the game, ergo it was meant as a way to play. I do however think there is something to say for it to be intended to be played as it is delivered, without the option of lower difficulty in a menu setting. Adding "Easy" to Elden Ring will simply yield a different game different from its intention. It's just a niche series.